LISA SALAZAR — BLOG

A Hopeful Reflection for Troubled Times: The Quiet Power of Family Love There was a time when I carried a hidden burden, uncertain if the people I loved most would still see me—truly see me—if I revealed my deepest truth. But when I finally shared my journey of becoming Lisa with my parents and my sons, the walls I had lived behind for so long crumbled. In their place, love remained—unconditional, steadfast, and freeing. Since then, I have woken up to a life where transparency and trust are no longer distant dreams but daily realities. And now, years later, I look at my granddaughters—the next generation—and marvel at the quiet but profound ways love and understanding continue to expand. It’s what gives me hope for the future. When my oldest granddaughter, barely school-aged at the time, softly told me, "I know you are my Daddy’s Daddy," it was a moment of pure grace. She saw me, not with judgment or confusion, but with the natural acceptance that children so often model for ...

In 2015, The New York Times ran a groundbreaking editorial series, The Quest for Transgender Equality. It was bold, urgent, and unequivocal: trans people deserve dignity, legal protection, and full inclusion in society. As part of that series, the Times invited transgender people to share their experiences in Transgender Lives: Your Stories , an evolving collection of personal narratives that reflected the strength, diversity, and challenges of the trans community. I contributed to that series . Like so many others, I believed the Times was genuinely invested in telling our stories, in shifting public perception toward empathy and understanding. Back then, the paper seemed to recognize that trans rights were not just an abstract political issue but a deeply personal, lived reality. That was ten years ago. Last weekend, the Times ran another editorial on transgender rights. This time, it was in response to Donald Trump’s sweeping attacks on trans Americans — executive orders targeting h...

Ever since I started this blog in 2011, I have written several posts about how I, as a follower of Christ, was able to reconcile my faith with being transgender. I have elaborated on the theological arguments and rationale to clarify how this reconciliation occurred, thanks to what Jesus said about eunuchs. That's when the penny dropped, and I could accept myself. I won't repeat the story here; it's in my book if you'd care to read it.  The reason for revisiting this important topic is because of Trump's relentless attacks on trans people from the first day he took office for the second time. Please share with as many people as possible. Jesus on Trans Acceptance: Why Some Will Never Get It The expectation that all people will one day accept and affirm transgender individuals may be an unattainable goal. Even Jesus didn’t suggest that such universal acceptance was possible. In Matthew 19:11-12 , after discussing marriage and divorce, Jesus makes a seemingly unrelat...

I found a fascinating TED Talk by Mitchell Prinstein on how popularity and likability impact our lives. His research reveals that the most well-liked people aren’t necessarily the loudest, most dominant figures in the room. Instead, genuine popularity—the kind that sticks with us beyond high school—is built on reciprocity.  The truly well-liked people, like others, extend kindness and create connections. But then there’s another kind of popularity: perceived popularity—based on dominance, status, and intimidation rather than genuine affection. If you’re looking for the ultimate case study, just glance at Donald Trump. Trump has the Illusion of being popular. He loves to talk about his crowd sizes, poll numbers, and TV ratings. He’s obsessed with how many people “love” him. But here’s the thing—Trump isn’t liked in the way that Prinstein’s research describes. He isn’t beloved because he’s warm, kind, or generous. Instead, he thrives on a different appeal: power, fear, and tribal loy...

What’s so sickly wrong with the USA? Oh, where to start? Here’s a country that will gleefully eviscerate celebrities over a single tweet, a bad outfit, or a scandal, rendering their life’s work radioactive. They’ll cancel them so fast it’d make your head spin, declaring their movies, books, or businesses unworthy of public consumption because of “moral outrage.” But when it comes to electing a president? Suddenly, moral outrage takes a holiday. This is the same nation that proudly handed the nuclear codes to a man with the emotional maturity of a Twitter troll, who openly flaunted his narcissism, misogyny, and shady dealings like they were badges of honour. A man who’s been convicted of felonies, proven guilty of sexual misconduct, and brags about his corruption? Sure, let’s give him the keys to the country! Why not? And when this man lost the election in 2020, he couldn’t simply accept defeat with even a shred of dignity. No, he instigated an insurrection, rallied a mob to storm the C...

  I ask, with a touch of exasperation: why are Conservative politicians so focused on Trans and Non-Binary (TNB) people, who make up such a small percentage of the population? Is it to distract from a hidden agenda, where they hope to shift the focus away from their anti-socialist views on publicly-funded universal healthcare, the Canada Pension Plan, universal daycare, public education, implementing the recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, and anything they see as a waste of taxpayers' money? Will they also find a way to restrict women's access to abortion and birth control, continuing a pattern of targeting vulnerable groups while framing it as a defence of traditional values? I come to these questions not as an outsider looking in, but as someone who has lived through systemic and personal challenges. My journey began long before my transition, rooted in a deep sense of not belonging. In 1980, I wrote a letter to my then-wife, confessing the struggle I...

It’s What Poilievre Won’t Say Troubles Me Most Sidestepping Accountability at the Costs of Trans Canadians  During an interview yesterday (January 22, 2025) on CTV News , Pierre Poilievre  delivered a masterclass in deflection, showcasing his “debating team” skill at avoiding complex issues by pivoting to well-rehearsed talking points. The reporter asked a straightforward question about a controversial Presidential Order signed by Donald Trump, which declared that only two sexes exist. The question: If Pierre Poilievre were to form a government, would he negotiate with the Americans to ensure the gender markers on Canadian travel documents are recognized, even when they differ from the sex assigned at birth? (Source:   https://youtu.be/lwfC9z4YWhs ) Poilievre’s responses were dismissive and evasive. His repeated quips, like “I’m not aware of any other genders” and “if you come up with another list, you’re welcome to do that,” trivialized the question. When pressed about a...

  I am reminded of my own experience as a transgender woman who grew up in a time when this kind of understanding and support simply did not exist. As a baby boomer, I spent decades living without a framework to comprehend my feelings, let alone access to any solutions. It was a life of suppression and repression, one that came with profound costs to my mental health. Yet, ironically, I would not change a thing. The fact that I survived and delayed my transition allowed me to father three amazing boys who have grown up to be wonderful human beings. For me, this journey, though fraught with challenges, also came with blessings I cherish deeply. And yet, here we are today—in a time when science and understanding about gender-affirming care have advanced—facing lawmakers who completely dismiss the evidence. We have grown weary of conservative leaders ignoring the data, dehumanizing trans youth, and leveraging fear and ignorance to strip away essential care. The hypocrisy is exhausting...

Image: Screenshot–Cosmopolitan As a trans woman who is trying to exist within the margins of acceptability so as not to give ammunition to anti-trans snipers, here is my concern with entertainer Jonathan Van Ness: Jonathan Van Ness (JVN) is undeniably a trailblazer—authentic, unapologetically visible, and a beacon of self-love for many. Their bold embrace of identity and willingness to challenge gender norms is admirable. However, as someone navigating a world rife with anti-trans rhetoric, I wrestle with the unintended consequences of JVN’s public persona. Before you accuse me of caving into some sort of heterosexual or binary assimilation, let me clarify: my choice to live within the margins of acceptability is not about appeasing detractors or denying authenticity. It’s about recognizing how public perceptions are weaponized against our community. Every exaggerated stereotype or harmful narrative strengthens the arsenal of those who seek to harm us. My concern isn’t just about self-...