Thanks for replying to my post, LaborIntensive, & for sharing your experience. Yes, I can tell you from personal experience that being trans is like having your psyche twisted over-&-over into knots with a pair of pliers. It just makes you crazy. And society's taboos regarding anything related to gender & sexuality just adds fuel to the fire. So I can certainly sympathize with the person you knew. Currently, treatment with hormones & surgery is the only known "cure". And this too sometimes comes with its own challenges. I hope that your acquaintance was able to find peace.