| Officer Rick Simpson with Air Force 1 (the small Gulf Stream IV) when the first President Bush was in Wyoming |
In July of 1995 I was injured making an arrest while assisting the Narcotics Detectives serve a
September. Due to the nature of the injury I did not expect to return to work and therefore
began living full-time as female. I simply avoided going to the police station and my paycheck
was sent to my house each month.
It was in 1994 that I had finally told Jeri of my gender torment. Many times in the past I had
attempted to tell her but was frightened off for one reason or another. The fear of losing her
and the fear of losing my family were paramount. Mounting pressures and problems led me to
the breaking point and I finally had to reveal my true self. Being my true love and soul mate
Jeri's immediate response was, "if that's how you feel we'll explore this together." Jeri took it
a step further and stated she would support and stay with me all the way through Sex
Reassignment Surgery if necessary. Jeri made it so that no matter what I had to do it would
be okay.
Until this point, my life had been a series of contrasts and conflicts over my gender feelings.
For years I had fought being feminine by trying to be "ultra macho." I felt this would be a cure
for my "problem."
Other than the biography on Christine Jorgensen I had never been able to find any information
on Transsexualism. I harbored a belief that to undergo a "sex change" you had to have
hundreds of thousands of dollars and go to a far away country for the surgery. I didn't know of
such things as hormones but saw my body become slowly poisoned by testosterone. As the
years passed I felt I was "too big" and "too male" to ever be able to transition. With the further
passage of time I felt I was "too poor" and "too old' to ever accomplish such an impossible
feat.
September. Due to the nature of the injury I did not expect to return to work and therefore
began living full-time as female. I simply avoided going to the police station and my paycheck
was sent to my house each month.
It was in 1994 that I had finally told Jeri of my gender torment. Many times in the past I had
attempted to tell her but was frightened off for one reason or another. The fear of losing her
and the fear of losing my family were paramount. Mounting pressures and problems led me to
the breaking point and I finally had to reveal my true self. Being my true love and soul mate
Jeri's immediate response was, "if that's how you feel we'll explore this together." Jeri took it
a step further and stated she would support and stay with me all the way through Sex
Reassignment Surgery if necessary. Jeri made it so that no matter what I had to do it would
be okay.
Until this point, my life had been a series of contrasts and conflicts over my gender feelings.
For years I had fought being feminine by trying to be "ultra macho." I felt this would be a cure
for my "problem."
Other than the biography on Christine Jorgensen I had never been able to find any information
on Transsexualism. I harbored a belief that to undergo a "sex change" you had to have
hundreds of thousands of dollars and go to a far away country for the surgery. I didn't know of
such things as hormones but saw my body become slowly poisoned by testosterone. As the
years passed I felt I was "too big" and "too male" to ever be able to transition. With the further
passage of time I felt I was "too poor" and "too old' to ever accomplish such an impossible
feat.
| Detective Rick Simpson Rock Springs Police Department |
I rebelled at myself and lived a conflicting life. I was
hadn't cured me of my feminine feelings. I had used
alcohol excessively, as this was a manly thing to do,
but that didn't cure me of my feminine feelings.
I turned to other activities such as motorcycles and
motorcycle clubs. After all what's more "macho" than
being a biker? Surely this will cure me.
Increasingly I became involved with Motorcycle Clubs
and bikers, drinking heavily and engaging in
dangerous activities. Nothing helped effect a cure
though. In fact, my gendered feelings only continued
to increase the older I became. It was following a
motorcycle trip to the Sturgis rally in the early 1990's
that I decided I had to effect a change. That year I had
picked up with some outlaw bikers and was afraid I
was going to become one of them to effect what I saw
as the "ultimate macho" cure. I got along with those
guys, a little too well, and didn't like what I saw. I
looked inside and didn't like what I was becoming
either.
hadn't cured me of my feminine feelings. I had used
alcohol excessively, as this was a manly thing to do,
but that didn't cure me of my feminine feelings.
I turned to other activities such as motorcycles and
motorcycle clubs. After all what's more "macho" than
being a biker? Surely this will cure me.
Increasingly I became involved with Motorcycle Clubs
and bikers, drinking heavily and engaging in
dangerous activities. Nothing helped effect a cure
though. In fact, my gendered feelings only continued
to increase the older I became. It was following a
motorcycle trip to the Sturgis rally in the early 1990's
that I decided I had to effect a change. That year I had
picked up with some outlaw bikers and was afraid I
was going to become one of them to effect what I saw
as the "ultimate macho" cure. I got along with those
guys, a little too well, and didn't like what I saw. I
looked inside and didn't like what I was becoming
either.
I slowly disassociated myself from the biker subculture and rarely rode my Harley again. I
saw myself becoming an alcoholic and was thankful I hadn't been killed due to a multitude
of stupid things done while riding.
For the next several years I searched for information on Transsexualism to no avail. I also
checked phone books on our many trips to Salt Lake City for potential therapists and / or
support organizations but found nothing. Finally, in July 1994, I revealed myself to Jeri.
Now the two of us began to look for information and I had a coach for learning make-up,
deportment, and clothing.
saw myself becoming an alcoholic and was thankful I hadn't been killed due to a multitude
of stupid things done while riding.
For the next several years I searched for information on Transsexualism to no avail. I also
checked phone books on our many trips to Salt Lake City for potential therapists and / or
support organizations but found nothing. Finally, in July 1994, I revealed myself to Jeri.
Now the two of us began to look for information and I had a coach for learning make-up,
deportment, and clothing.
Jeri bought me some clothes that fit and we took a little trip to one of our favorites places.
spent hours doing my make-up, getting clothing just right, etc. I felt soooo "beautiful" and so
alive. Once it was dark we took a walk outside through Hot Springs Park and what an
exhilarating feeling it was! At last I felt feminine and free!
We videotaped a portion of this experience and later, when I reviewed the tape, I was
horrified. I looked terrible. I was but a man in a dress. My spirits sank as I now felt I would
never be able to achieve my dream.
We continued to look for information on Transsexualism. One day Jeri found a magazine
that was for crossdressers and it listed a support group in Salt Lake City. I immediately
contacted the group and, while I realized I wasn't like them (the crossdressers) I also
realized they were the closest I had encountered to what I felt. I stayed with the group (a
Tri-Ess chapter named Alph-Rho) hoping to meet up with someone who had feelings like
myself.
In June of 1995 it happened. I met a transsexual named Robin. My world burst open with
information as Robin told me of hormones, endocrinologists, therapists, support groups, etc.
Robin put me in touch with the necessary therapist's and professionals and by September I
had my first prescriptions for Premarin and Spironolactone. At the same time Jeri and I
discovered the Internet and were overwhelmed with the information available on
Transsexualism and Gender Dysphoria.
Maybe some one as "old" as me, as "male" and as "big" could transition to female. I knew
now it was possible, I knew it was costly but not unobtainable. Most of all I now knew there
were many like me.
spent hours doing my make-up, getting clothing just right, etc. I felt soooo "beautiful" and so
alive. Once it was dark we took a walk outside through Hot Springs Park and what an
exhilarating feeling it was! At last I felt feminine and free!
We videotaped a portion of this experience and later, when I reviewed the tape, I was
horrified. I looked terrible. I was but a man in a dress. My spirits sank as I now felt I would
never be able to achieve my dream.
We continued to look for information on Transsexualism. One day Jeri found a magazine
that was for crossdressers and it listed a support group in Salt Lake City. I immediately
contacted the group and, while I realized I wasn't like them (the crossdressers) I also
realized they were the closest I had encountered to what I felt. I stayed with the group (a
Tri-Ess chapter named Alph-Rho) hoping to meet up with someone who had feelings like
myself.
In June of 1995 it happened. I met a transsexual named Robin. My world burst open with
information as Robin told me of hormones, endocrinologists, therapists, support groups, etc.
Robin put me in touch with the necessary therapist's and professionals and by September I
had my first prescriptions for Premarin and Spironolactone. At the same time Jeri and I
discovered the Internet and were overwhelmed with the information available on
Transsexualism and Gender Dysphoria.
Maybe some one as "old" as me, as "male" and as "big" could transition to female. I knew
now it was possible, I knew it was costly but not unobtainable. Most of all I now knew there
were many like me.
I had surgery for my injuries from work in September
of 1995. The next day I started taking female I also
transitioned to living full time. I never felt so right
and at peace. Slowly many of my physical ailments
went away and even my desire to drink gradually
disappeared. Starting hormones and going full time
were the biggest events of my gender experience. I
also knew, from those moments forward, that I could
never go back.
I expected the City of Rock Springs Police
Department to require me to retire after my surgery.
In January of 1996 I was notified by Cmdr. Glenn
Grymes to report to his office. I expected to be told
that I would be required to retire. I "dressed down"
and tried to be as male looking as possible. When I
walked into Glenn's office he made the following
statement to me which horrified me; "Quit wearing
Jeri's coat, take off Jeri's glasses, get a haircut and
come back to work." I was devastated! First, I
thought I looked "male" but they identified my
clothing and glasses as female. Secondly, and more
important, I now had to make the decision to
transition on the job.
of 1995. The next day I started taking female I also
transitioned to living full time. I never felt so right
and at peace. Slowly many of my physical ailments
went away and even my desire to drink gradually
disappeared. Starting hormones and going full time
were the biggest events of my gender experience. I
also knew, from those moments forward, that I could
never go back.
I expected the City of Rock Springs Police
Department to require me to retire after my surgery.
In January of 1996 I was notified by Cmdr. Glenn
Grymes to report to his office. I expected to be told
that I would be required to retire. I "dressed down"
and tried to be as male looking as possible. When I
walked into Glenn's office he made the following
statement to me which horrified me; "Quit wearing
Jeri's coat, take off Jeri's glasses, get a haircut and
come back to work." I was devastated! First, I
thought I looked "male" but they identified my
clothing and glasses as female. Secondly, and more
important, I now had to make the decision to
transition on the job.
| Rick Simpson Circa 1991 |
| Rick Simpson 1985 |
| Rick Simpson with 1985 Harley-Davidson Wide Glide |
| Hard to believe I was Chapter President for a number of years in the 1980's |
| "Ricky and the Nads" Jim, Terry, Al, Craig, Rick Simpson |
| Still Playing in the 80's |
| Rick with Vintage Gibson |
I was very hesitant to transition on the job. The few accounts I had read about ended in
disaster. The Officer ostracized and harassed sometimes even terminated, and definitely
with a media circus. These instances occurred in large departments in metropolitan areas
and not somewhere as conservative and unpopulated as Wyoming. I was fearful as to what
types or repercussions my family members would face.
With the support and assistance of my family we decided to proceed with my transition at
work. I had several weeks to prepare, before I had to report for duty.
Our first actions were to inform close family members and friends. This had mixed
reactions. My mother had the worst reaction and refused to discuss the matter. She still
lived in Pennsylvania so telling her was via the impersonal use of the telephone.
Friends took the news with mixed reactions. My closest friend Craig, who I had known for
15 years, was shocked by the news. As I transitioned he ceased to have anything to do with
me. I had supported him through thick or thin over the years so his abandonment was
particularly hurtful at such a stressful time in my life. I had expected his help and support. I
was later shocked to hear that he was afraid what people would think of him if he remained
friends with me.
Consequently others were neutral to outright supportive. Coming out had many surprises
and I learned much about friendship. Some people, those I never dreamed would be
supportive were while many of those who I thought wouldn't have a problem did.
I decided to break the news to Commander Glenn Grymes. I had known Glenn since 1980,
he handled most of the department's personnel matters, and I felt he would be the most
receptive of the administrators. Glenn asked me if I was serious, which I can't blame him as
I was known for pulling off some pretty good jokes over the years. Once he was sure I was
serious and I outlined what I would need to do he had one comment "make sure you get
your name change straight with personnel so you don't miss a paycheck." What a
pleasantly supportive statement. Glenn assured me that I shouldn't have problems and
pledged his support. I realized he was both a good friend as well as a fair and
knowledgeable administrator
disaster. The Officer ostracized and harassed sometimes even terminated, and definitely
with a media circus. These instances occurred in large departments in metropolitan areas
and not somewhere as conservative and unpopulated as Wyoming. I was fearful as to what
types or repercussions my family members would face.
With the support and assistance of my family we decided to proceed with my transition at
work. I had several weeks to prepare, before I had to report for duty.
Our first actions were to inform close family members and friends. This had mixed
reactions. My mother had the worst reaction and refused to discuss the matter. She still
lived in Pennsylvania so telling her was via the impersonal use of the telephone.
Friends took the news with mixed reactions. My closest friend Craig, who I had known for
15 years, was shocked by the news. As I transitioned he ceased to have anything to do with
me. I had supported him through thick or thin over the years so his abandonment was
particularly hurtful at such a stressful time in my life. I had expected his help and support. I
was later shocked to hear that he was afraid what people would think of him if he remained
friends with me.
Consequently others were neutral to outright supportive. Coming out had many surprises
and I learned much about friendship. Some people, those I never dreamed would be
supportive were while many of those who I thought wouldn't have a problem did.
I decided to break the news to Commander Glenn Grymes. I had known Glenn since 1980,
he handled most of the department's personnel matters, and I felt he would be the most
receptive of the administrators. Glenn asked me if I was serious, which I can't blame him as
I was known for pulling off some pretty good jokes over the years. Once he was sure I was
serious and I outlined what I would need to do he had one comment "make sure you get
your name change straight with personnel so you don't miss a paycheck." What a
pleasantly supportive statement. Glenn assured me that I shouldn't have problems and
pledged his support. I realized he was both a good friend as well as a fair and
knowledgeable administrator
| Short Biography of Linda A. Simpson: page 2 |
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