Business World

By Paula Gaikowski

My earliest memories take me back to kindergarten, a time when boys and girls were neatly separated. I recall being drawn to the girls’ side with an almost magnetic force. The desire to belong, to dress and act like them, consumed my young heart. Yet, even in those tender years, the world made it abundantly clear that such desires were not just unconventional – they were deemed unacceptable.

Thus began my lifelong dance with repression – a relentless effort to suppress my feminine self and conform to the societal expectations of masculinity. It wasn't all gloom and doom, but I always sensed that I was out of step with my male peers. I adapted, doing my best to fit the mold of what society deemed appropriate.

In the year 1975, at the age of 16, I found myself grappling with thoughts about my future. The idea of joining the military to fund the gender transformation I yearned for seemed like a viable solution. Looking back, it’s amazing how such thoughts consumed the mind of a 16-year-old boy. It’s a testament to the depth of my struggle with gender identity.

My stint in the Air Force passed, but the dream of saving enough money for my desired transformation didn’t materialize. “Look everyone, I’m in the military and successful; everything is normal.”

Upon my separation, I was faced with the uncertainty of life beyond the military, unsure of where my path would lead. I took to drinking with friends and pursuing hunting and fishing in the outdoors. “See everyone, I’m manly?”

However, a turning point in my journey arrived when I ventured into the world of business. There, amidst the hustle and bustle of corporate life, I encountered a sea of women – elegant, stylish and undeniably feminine. This was a stark departure from my military experience, where masculinity dominated. The contrast was striking.

In the office, the women donned dresses, pantyhose, makeup and high heels, radiating an unapologetic femininity. Their presence mesmerized me, awakening a profound desire to embody that same grace and charm.

One specific day, following the receipt of my first paycheck, I made a key decision. With determination, I headed to the Willowbrook Mall and scanned racks of dresses, selecting one that mirrored the outfit of a particular colleague. Pantyhose, a brassiere and panties followed. When I returned home and donned these items, the reflection in the mirror didnt quite align with the image in my mind. Disheartened, I purged my newly acquired wardrobe, discarding it in panic and with hopelessness.

Yet, deep within, I clung to an unwavering belief that I couldn’t abandon my quest for self-discovery. I knew that someday, when I gazed into the mirror, I would see the beautiful woman I had always felt I was meant to be staring back at me. Deep down I knew my journey wasn’t over and my resolve remained steadfast.

Wearing Bebe

 

Girls’ Night Out in Washington, D.C.