Trish Mifflin is a pen name for a male-bodied crossdresser living in the Pittsburgh area. She works in public relations and marketing for a large Pittsburgh organization. She lives most of her life presenting as male.

She knew from a young age that she didn’t feel like a “boy” but never heard the word “transgendered” until much later.

A recovering Catholic, she tried for years to “pray away the trans” only to find her feelings of being “out of place” getting stronger and stronger. She joined a support group in 2006 and came out to her family as transgendered about two years later. (And she joined the Episcopal Church, too.)

Walking both sides of the gender line makes her very aware of male privilege, and she’s become kind of a militant feminist (which, in her male life, sometimes surprises colleagues who don’t know about Trish).

She is happily married to a wonderful woman who has known about “Trish” since their third date. Trish’s wife enjoys having a spouse who shares her interests—and her taste in clothes!

Trish says “transgender” terms are a minefield, even for people who are active in the gay and lesbian community. So she happily recommends several books — “My Husband Betty” by Helen Boyd, “She’s Not There” by Jennifer Finney Boylan, and “Whipping Girl” by Julia Serano.

Also, Trish would like to assure you that transwomen and crossdressers aren’t going to the ladies’ room to spy on people … but like everyone else, they do need to pee!

Why does J.K. Rowling think her queer and trans fans don’t count?

(TW: transphobia, rape) I’m trying to figure out what’s motivating J.K. Rowling to defecate on her trans and queer fans from a great height, and I’m failing miserably. I’m also at a loss to figure out why the U.K. and Ireland seem to be a nexus for trans-exclusionary bullshit. I have some theories centering around […]

I feel a kinship with Midge Maisel — do you?

Picture: Midge Maisel (Rachel Brosnahan) zips up the dress of a Parisian drag queen. (Screenshot from “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel”) – – – – – – – – – So I just finally started watching “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” on Amazon Prime. I was resisting, because the reviews were so glowing, and I thought, “Meh, […]

Stop enabling Delta Foundation

  One thing I’m learning in therapy is that when I have someone in my life who’s spoiled rotten and who doesn’t have my best interests in mind, then at some point, not only do I have to call them to account, I also have to hold their enablers accountable. And I include myself. For […]

Trans opera “As One” is a noble effort but falls short

David Bachman photo via Pittsburgh Opera

“As One,” a chamber opera for two voices and string quartet; music and concept by Laura Kaminsky, libretto by Mark Campbell and Kimberly Reed At Pittsburgh Opera Headquarters, 2425 Liberty Ave., Strip District 8 p.m. Feb. 18, 7 p.m. Feb. 21, 7:30 p.m. Feb. 24 and 2 p.m. Feb. 26 Tickets: 412-281-0912 or pittsburghopera.org (Photo: […]

With friends like these …

So, last week, in the “Modern Love” section of The New York Times, there was an opinion piece by one Delacey Skinner, who says she “writes and directs ads for progressive causes and candidates in Washington.” Right away, my guard went up, because if someone has to point out that she’s “progressive,” chances are, she’s […]

Get (a load of) Marty!

So, let me see if I’ve got this about right: the Pittsburgh police apparently have a transgender cadet in the police academy. I’m not sure if zie identifies as male or female, or even if they identify with the gender binary. Under the guise of expressing concern about this person’s safety — but in fact, […]

All in a day’s work!

Last week, I wrote about a Post-Gazette reporter who wanted to talk to me about Caitlyn Jenner. On Friday, she called me to say there was a misunderstanding, and the Post-Gazette does not have a “real names” policy regarding transgender people. They could have quoted me using my pen name, she said, and she apologized for […]

Graham crackers

It seems like the Post-Gazette’s Jennifer Graham, winner of this week’s “Best Turd in a Punchbowl” award, is new to Pittsburgh. Her magnum derpus about Caitlyn Jenner is only her second column for One of America’s Best Potato-Peelings Catchers, according to Davyoe of “2 Political Junkies.” I did look at Jennifer “Quietest of Voices” Graham’s […]

Meanwhile, at Pittsburgh’s ‘liberal’ paper

On Tuesday, I was emailed by a reporter at the Post-Gazette who wanted to ask my take on Caitlyn Jenner’s transition. I replied, that’s fine, I’m happy to help, but you have to understand that “Trish” is a pen name, not my legal name. Oh, the reporter responded, my editor says we’ll need to use […]

It’s way past time to talk about Delta

(Opinions expressed in this article are mine, and not those of Pittsburgh Lesbian Correspondents or any other organization.) I have to admit to feeling some ill-concealed glee that, finally, the Delta Foundation of Pittsburgh is eating some public crow. Schadenfreude, I think the Germans call it. I think there’s been a kind of “code of […]