Hey M – I am not all the way back but am getting stronger daily. Thanks for your prayers and good wishes.

I think you are right about the faulty aims of these groups. They want to use the power of the state to coerce Christian behavior which is indeed futile for several reasons. The first that comes to mind is theological (original sin) and a related one: Christians can’t do it so what makes them think others can who don’t believe the same way.

Zoe – After my surgery, my emotions have been all over the place. I have been quite disappointed and quite optimistic all in the same day. I know why you say what you did. I continue to be quite disappointed that Christian groups who now know that Barton is not accurate with his statements have not done very much about it. I can agree that politics and money corrupts, even without awareness. I am mostly hopeful that things can change over time — look at Exodus and the current situation in the ex-gay world — much different than 3 years ago.

After my surgery, my emotions have been all over the place.

To be expected. Your body has endured a major surgical insult.

Been there, done that, scar from bikini line to breastbone, then there was the genital reconstruction many years later of course.

It’s perfectly normal, will go away in time (a few weeks at most) but you may be hit by the “post-op blues” at 8-16 weeks. That’s normal too, if you realise it’s just your body’s way of coping, it’s a lot easier.

Please don’t try to do too much too early. It’s OK to let the world turn without your intervention for a while. It will do anyway. There’s plenty to do, the problems aren’t going away, they’ll be there ready for you to tackle them when you’re physically and emotionally able to do so.

Please listen to your body. At the first sign of tiredness, it means you should rest, as you’ve already overdone things a little. Try to go “just one more minute” and you’ll likely crash. Rest immediately, then re-start, and you’ll not just get more done, but the extra exercise will speed up the healing.

As for hope –

“The Arc of the Moral Universe Is Long, but It Bends Toward Justice”

– MLK jr