

Ep: 56: Archie Arnold (he/him) and The Joy and Grief of Finding Ourselves Later
8 snips Jul 11, 2024
Archie Arnold, a gay trans man who embraced his identity in his early fifties, shares his poignant journey of self-discovery during the COVID pandemic. He delves into the complex emotions of joy and envy within the LGBTQ+ community. Through personal narratives, he emphasizes healing by reconnecting with one's inner child and navigating the challenging landscape of queer relationships. Archie’s story exemplifies how we can continuously explore and reclaim our true selves, no matter our age.
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Growing Up Misunderstood
- Archie grew up in rural Nebraska in the 70s and 80s without language or community to understand his gender identity.
- He was a tomboy, wore men's clothes in high school, but lived as a cis woman until his early 50s.
Pandemic Sparked Discovery
- During the pandemic, Archie discovered new language and concepts about gender through his daughter and supportive therapist.
- He realized and vocalized to his therapist that he didn't think he was cis, starting a transformative journey.
Freedom in New Friendships
- Being accepted as your true self by new friends without past versions can be a liberating experience.
- Long-term friendships can carry old perceptions that complicate new identity expressions.