Pastor Fred Kinsey has been nothing but supportive to L.L.. In fact, he went with L. this summer to fill out the official paperwork, and no doubt will join him Sept. 22 at the formal, legal name-changing procedure in his transgender process—and then he'll lead his naming ceremony at the church.
Then the entire congregation at Unity Lutheran Church on the North Side will know the true identity of one of the congregation's ever-friendly, always-smiling faces.
"It's nice to work for a place that isn't uncomfortable with who you are; I have had no issues here whatsoever," said L., who was a member at the church before accepting a full-time job.
His daily routine includes traditional office work, such as answering emails and phone calls from congregants, and negotiating with outsiders interested in renting the facility, such as a Thursday night line-dancing group.
Unity Lutheran Church has about 120 members and usually welcomes about 35 or 50 every Sunday morning for services. Maybe 10 of those 50 fall into the LGBT mix, L. said.
"Everyone here treats you like a person, regardless if they agree or disagree with your sexual orientation or gender," he said. "No one here looks at the LGBT community as a negative; it's a very accepting church."
The church hosted its first civil-union ceremony in June.
L. is in the early stages of his transformation which, he admits, has led to numerous inquisitive looks. "A lot of times I am mistaken as a young teenage boy, and my girlfriend often gets strange looks, too," he said. "Then there are times in Chicago when I am just looked at as just a butch lesbian.
"Children often are the most direct; they just ask the questions they want to know. Adults just assume they know things, know who I am—and then just presume they know who I am, based on appearance."
L., though, always answers questions, about any subject—and prefers the questions to the assumptions.
L. began looking into gender transition about a year ago, "when I had all these thoughts running through my head and constantly wondered what they meant. I kept thinking, 'Who am I?'"
Today, "I'm really happy … and next year I'll be happier," he said. "This is what I've been looking forward to, even though I still cannot see the end results, yet."
Next year, L. hopes to have a deeper voice and not be mistaken for a young person anymore. He's also considering options for a marriage.
The STATS
Name
L.L.
Age
24
Neighborhood
Andersonville
Orientation
Transgender, though he prefers to identify as queer.
Relationship status
In a committed relationship with Corey Fretz since July 2009.
Job title
Office and site manager, Unity Lutheran Church
Pets
Two cats, Madison and Cooper
Hobbies
Working out, running, bicycle riding, reading, grappling and kick-boxing
Favorite restaurant
El Mogote
Favorite bar
Fritzy's Tavern
Favorite gay bar
Big Chicks
It's a fact
His yellow bicycle has been nicknamed Bumble Bee
Photos by Ross Forman
