Just as 2016 was coming to a close, a cool and exciting new opportunity came knocking at my door. I was invited to join the writing team of Rochester Woman Online (formerly Rochester Woman Magazine). The publication started the new year moving from printed magazine to digital distribution.
My contribution will be a monthly column called: “All About the H” Please take a few minutes to read the first entry featured in the January edition: Meeting Life’s Challenges as Growth Opportunities. My biggest challenge in life has been being a transgender woman in a world that doesn’t understand what “transgender” means. I share how I turned this challenge into a rewarding career path as a public speaker and human rights advocate.
For the best Rochester Woman Online reading experience on a tablet or smartphone, I recommend downloading the FREE app which is available on the Google Play or the Apple AppStore. Each monthly edition is FREE to download within the app!
Most of my outreach work focuses on LGBTQ education and social issues. Whether you’re LGBTQ or not, there’s one thing we all have in common and it’s the most important thing: our humanity. We’re all human beings and as such have far more in common than we do differences. That’s why my column is “All About the H” – humanity.
Each month I’ll be writing about transgender (and broader LGBTQ) issues and realities in an effort to create awareness. I’ll also pull back the camera to reveal how these social issues and challenges are universal and affect all human beings. The particulars may differ but we all experience challenges, judgement, social policing, hardship, good times, etc.
Also featured in the January edition of Rochester Woman Online is my favorite electrologist: Patricia Nadiak of Silky Smooth Electrolysis. She’s been doing amazing work on my face, getting rid of all that unwanted facial hair and leaving my skin silky smooth! Read about her inspirational story on page 74.
In my January column, I referred to electrolysis as “painful”. I wish I had chosen my words better and explained that it used to be varying degrees of painful until I started going to Silky Smooth. Patti has is a highly skilled artist in her craft and does an excellent job keeping any discomfort to a minimum. If you’re looking to get rid of unwanted body hair (and live within reasonable travel distance) I highly recommend her service. She’s trans-friendly, super cool and does amazing work!
Rochester Woman Online is filled with inspiring stories of Rochester business women and useful, insightful articles. I hope you’ll check it out each month. Regardless of where you live, I think you’ll find it entertaining, informative and worthy of sharing with friends.
I’m grateful and honored to be part of the team!
Namaste
Congrats Gabrielle on your new endeavor, and I was excited to hear about your friends over at Silky Smooth Electrolysis! Do you happen to know of an electrolysis place in the Philly area you could recommend? I don’t have dark facial hair but am tired of the day to day grind of shaving and am focusing on my legs since I like to show them off like you do:). I’m looking forward to your articles, and wondering if you’ll have any speaking engagements outside of the Rochester area.
Hi Stephanie, thanks for chiming in. :) I’m sorry that I don’t know any good electrologists around the Philly area. I’ll ask Patti what she might be able to recommend next time I’m having a session.
Most of my speaking gigs are in the Rochester area, but I go wherever it takes me. There’s an LGBTQ health conference in Philadelphia I hope to offer a workshop or two at later this year. But haven’t submitted my proposals yet. Thank you for your kind words! :)
Stephanie, I consulted with my electrologist today and she suggested a looking up electrologists in your area based on listings in the American Electrology Association. She belongs to the AEA and they hold high standards for electrolysis practices and technology. Follow this link for electrologists in your area that belong to the AEA:
https://www.electrology.com/find.html?st=1&rzip=19147&rdistance=25&go_radius=Find
Thanks Gabrielle for the tip and the link. I recently joined a group called Crossdressers in Heaven. Have you heard of this group? I appreciate your update and did see a place called Laser Hair Removal but not sure if they are affliated with AEA. Keep up the great work and always follow you on CD Life and FB. It’s also time for an updated pic of you. LOL.
That is one big compliment and a great accolade for your work and achievements.
And perhaps more importantly it’s a chance to influence even more how people with regards to us making choices to life outside of the ‘herd’ as you put it. I would love to be able to attend one of your talks, but will suffice with what I can read online living in France
xx
Thanks, Sophie. :) Yes, I do hope to make a positive difference in the lives of as many people as possible and so grateful for the opportunities to do so. And I’d like to think that some day, I can make it to France and spread some love while getting to take in the sights and culture. It would be such an honor!!