I broke the news to the two Detectives I worked
closest Like others they thought I was joking at first,
having known me as such a "macho" type person in
the past and, of course, a prankster. Once they were
certain I was serious they simply proceeded with
business as usual after the stunned silence. I provided
them with information on Gender Dysphoria and,
thereafter they treated me as they always had with
exception of an occasional question or inquiry about
what I was going through.
I suspect my co-workers were thinking back to a
Halloween party I had attended the year before. It was
a party with people in attendance from various areas
of the Criminal Justice field. I arrived (supposedly) in
costume crossdressed while Jeri accompanied me
crossdressed as a man.
As we entered the party the secretary from the
Detective Unit ran over to tell me I couldn't come in
unless I was wearing a costume. As she was telling me
she suddenly stopped, realized who I was, her mouth
dropped open and she stated "oh my God!" She had
speculated earlier that if I did attend I would come in
some super macho costume such as a biker. She
never expected anything like this.
closest Like others they thought I was joking at first,
having known me as such a "macho" type person in
the past and, of course, a prankster. Once they were
certain I was serious they simply proceeded with
business as usual after the stunned silence. I provided
them with information on Gender Dysphoria and,
thereafter they treated me as they always had with
exception of an occasional question or inquiry about
what I was going through.
I suspect my co-workers were thinking back to a
Halloween party I had attended the year before. It was
a party with people in attendance from various areas
of the Criminal Justice field. I arrived (supposedly) in
costume crossdressed while Jeri accompanied me
crossdressed as a man.
As we entered the party the secretary from the
Detective Unit ran over to tell me I couldn't come in
unless I was wearing a costume. As she was telling me
she suddenly stopped, realized who I was, her mouth
dropped open and she stated "oh my God!" She had
speculated earlier that if I did attend I would come in
some super macho costume such as a biker. She
never expected anything like this.
The party went great and I even won second prize for the best costume. Not everyone at the party
recognized me as I was asked to dance by a local attorney and former Municipal Judge who did not
discover my true identity until the next day.
recognized me as I was asked to dance by a local attorney and former Municipal Judge who did not
discover my true identity until the next day.
| Jeri and Rick Simpson Crossdressed for Halloween Party |
During the party one of my fellow detectives kept saying I "bothered him" the way I was dressed. I
had been fearful that I would give myself away and everyone would know my secret if I went
crossdressed. I felt that everyone would wonder how I got clothes, especially high heels, to fit
someone as large as me. I watched that I didn't do my make-up too well for the same reason. In
my heart I knew someday it would be necessary to "come out." It might as well be tonight I
thought, under the cover of Halloween.
The party had been a positive experience that made me feel that transition could become a reality
someday. I never wanted to go back from that night.
had been fearful that I would give myself away and everyone would know my secret if I went
crossdressed. I felt that everyone would wonder how I got clothes, especially high heels, to fit
someone as large as me. I watched that I didn't do my make-up too well for the same reason. In
my heart I knew someday it would be necessary to "come out." It might as well be tonight I
thought, under the cover of Halloween.
The party had been a positive experience that made me feel that transition could become a reality
someday. I never wanted to go back from that night.
| Dancing at the Halloween Party with a local Judge: "watch those hands!" |
The few that did have a problem, and they were very few, simply avoided me. When contact
was necessary they carried on business as usual in a professional manner.
In coming out I had addressed each watch and division and made the announcement. I also
passed out a "coming out memo" along with educational information on Gender Dysphoria. I
answered any questions that anyone had and was generally well received.
I found that I had to inform many of the agencies that I worked closely with also. I repeated
the process with the County Attorneys Office, Highway Patrol, Sheriffs Office, and Social
Services and others. Again, I encountered no problems.
Just as a note, since this is such a major issue in many transitions, the bathroom issue never
came up. I stated I would not use the men's or women's locker rooms and simply used the
unisex bathrooms on the main floor.
I Was surprised I wasn't reassigned but was left in my position in Detectives and as Detective
in charge of Sex Crimes Investigations.
Liability issues were later brought up concerning my injuries and should I encounter another
violent encounter. These same issues were brought up when I was initially called back to
work. At the time I was informed to return to work and the matter will be researched.
What resulted was I could take a medical retirement at 62.5% of my salary or stay on the job
a little over three more years and take a regular retirement at 50%. Simple math resulted in
my decision.\
After being a Police Officer for over 20 years I wondered how I would react to not being a cop
anymore. It had been all I'd known for the majority of my life. July 31, 1996 was my final day
at the Rock Springs Police Department. I left with nothing but the highest regards for my
former co-workers, the police administration, the city government, and the community.
My transition experience on the Rock Springs Police Department left me with a very positive
view of Wyoming .
was necessary they carried on business as usual in a professional manner.
In coming out I had addressed each watch and division and made the announcement. I also
passed out a "coming out memo" along with educational information on Gender Dysphoria. I
answered any questions that anyone had and was generally well received.
I found that I had to inform many of the agencies that I worked closely with also. I repeated
the process with the County Attorneys Office, Highway Patrol, Sheriffs Office, and Social
Services and others. Again, I encountered no problems.
Just as a note, since this is such a major issue in many transitions, the bathroom issue never
came up. I stated I would not use the men's or women's locker rooms and simply used the
unisex bathrooms on the main floor.
I Was surprised I wasn't reassigned but was left in my position in Detectives and as Detective
in charge of Sex Crimes Investigations.
Liability issues were later brought up concerning my injuries and should I encounter another
violent encounter. These same issues were brought up when I was initially called back to
work. At the time I was informed to return to work and the matter will be researched.
What resulted was I could take a medical retirement at 62.5% of my salary or stay on the job
a little over three more years and take a regular retirement at 50%. Simple math resulted in
my decision.\
After being a Police Officer for over 20 years I wondered how I would react to not being a cop
anymore. It had been all I'd known for the majority of my life. July 31, 1996 was my final day
at the Rock Springs Police Department. I left with nothing but the highest regards for my
former co-workers, the police administration, the city government, and the community.
My transition experience on the Rock Springs Police Department left me with a very positive
view of Wyoming .
| Jeri takes some "unfeminine" photo's of Det. Linda A. Simpson as she readies her shotgun and unmarked patrol car prior to going to work |
I felt that the people of Rock Springs and Wyoming may not understand nor agree with my
decision to undergo a gender transition but they supported my right to live my life as I saw
necessary. This, I felt, made Rock Springs and Wyoming a special place to live.
As positive of a response I had in the Rock Springs area and Wyoming in general there were a
few minor negative encounters. First, the Wyoming Peace Officers Standards and Training
Commission refused to change my records or issue my license in my new name. Also, after
retirement, I went under my spouse Jeri's health insurance. Jeri was now working security
for Western Wyoming College and was a state employee. The Wyoming State Insurance
Director began to challenge our marriage and issued a notice that once I had Gender
Reassignment Surgery I could no longer be covered under Jeri's health insurance as her
spouse.
decision to undergo a gender transition but they supported my right to live my life as I saw
necessary. This, I felt, made Rock Springs and Wyoming a special place to live.
As positive of a response I had in the Rock Springs area and Wyoming in general there were a
few minor negative encounters. First, the Wyoming Peace Officers Standards and Training
Commission refused to change my records or issue my license in my new name. Also, after
retirement, I went under my spouse Jeri's health insurance. Jeri was now working security
for Western Wyoming College and was a state employee. The Wyoming State Insurance
Director began to challenge our marriage and issued a notice that once I had Gender
Reassignment Surgery I could no longer be covered under Jeri's health insurance as her
spouse.
Their reasoning was the marriage would then be a same sex marriage. With the assistance of
an attorney my health insurance coverage was continued under her insurance policy.
The basic fact is the marriage was legal at the time it was united and consummated. It could
not be undone by a surgical procedure and, as we've stated many times, we had no intention
of divorce.
I remained home and took care of the kids and home for the next year and enjoyed being able
to get closer to my family.
My mother continued to refuse to discuss the topic and it necessitated I write her a letter
(letter to mom) in June 1996. Much of my family shunned me for that which I had to pursue in
life. Jeri's family was the complete opposite and were absolutely wonderful.
Jeri was too afraid to tell her father. I opted to break the news to him. Being a 50's dad and
World War II Vet we braced for the worst. What a found was a very caring and understanding
human being. I was asked two questions. Did Jeri and I plan to stay together? The answer of
course was a resounding yes! The second question was if Jeri was in agreement with
everything which of course she was. From that day forward my father-in-law always called me
"Linda" and his main concern was that family and friends accept me for who I am.
During the proceeding years my mother-in-law and I became extremely close too. She
accepted my gender transition and we became good friends. She became the mother I did not
have and said she actually liked me better as Linda than as Rick. We continue a very close
relationship to this day as a result.
Jeri's sister and her husband were very accepting too and have been very special people in
my life.
Just writing about my experiences with Jeri's family brings tears of happiness to my eyes. I
found my soul mate and spouse comes from a wonderful and special family. I can't find the
words to express my love and appreciation for those who were so supportive at the most
difficult crossroad in my life.
I continued to have nothing but positive transition experiences. From the first time I told my
spouse to retirement form the Police Department. Jeri had initially broke the news to our
oldest daughter. One day she approached me with a stick doll and gave it to me as a gift. I
asked her what it was and she replied that it was a "transsexual stick doll" for me. It has
become one of my most treasured possessions.
Our two smallest children have only known me as Linda. We had concerns as to how other
children and their parents would react but to date there have been no problems encountered.
These are uncharted areas however and we are vigilant to watch for potential problems as
well as share information with others who have undergone this experience.
an attorney my health insurance coverage was continued under her insurance policy.
The basic fact is the marriage was legal at the time it was united and consummated. It could
not be undone by a surgical procedure and, as we've stated many times, we had no intention
of divorce.
I remained home and took care of the kids and home for the next year and enjoyed being able
to get closer to my family.
My mother continued to refuse to discuss the topic and it necessitated I write her a letter
(letter to mom) in June 1996. Much of my family shunned me for that which I had to pursue in
life. Jeri's family was the complete opposite and were absolutely wonderful.
Jeri was too afraid to tell her father. I opted to break the news to him. Being a 50's dad and
World War II Vet we braced for the worst. What a found was a very caring and understanding
human being. I was asked two questions. Did Jeri and I plan to stay together? The answer of
course was a resounding yes! The second question was if Jeri was in agreement with
everything which of course she was. From that day forward my father-in-law always called me
"Linda" and his main concern was that family and friends accept me for who I am.
During the proceeding years my mother-in-law and I became extremely close too. She
accepted my gender transition and we became good friends. She became the mother I did not
have and said she actually liked me better as Linda than as Rick. We continue a very close
relationship to this day as a result.
Jeri's sister and her husband were very accepting too and have been very special people in
my life.
Just writing about my experiences with Jeri's family brings tears of happiness to my eyes. I
found my soul mate and spouse comes from a wonderful and special family. I can't find the
words to express my love and appreciation for those who were so supportive at the most
difficult crossroad in my life.
I continued to have nothing but positive transition experiences. From the first time I told my
spouse to retirement form the Police Department. Jeri had initially broke the news to our
oldest daughter. One day she approached me with a stick doll and gave it to me as a gift. I
asked her what it was and she replied that it was a "transsexual stick doll" for me. It has
become one of my most treasured possessions.
Our two smallest children have only known me as Linda. We had concerns as to how other
children and their parents would react but to date there have been no problems encountered.
These are uncharted areas however and we are vigilant to watch for potential problems as
well as share information with others who have undergone this experience.
| Linda leaving for work: I had a speaking engagement on crime prevention for a senior citizen group this day so I wore a dress |
We strive to raise well-rounded children in our non-traditional diverse family. Our goal is for
our children to recognize the beauty in the diversity of people and accept and understand the
differences between us all.
In January 1997 I underwent Gender Reassignment Surgery in Montreal by Dr. Menard. Had
I known what a positive experience my stay in Montreal would be I would have arranged for
Jeri to accompany me. I was able to have surgery several months early due to a cancellation.
Before leaving for Montreal I received a special surprise from the City of Rock Springs
Police Department.
Yes I was touched when they gave the item to me. It further proved this was an exceptional
agency I had worked for with officers of the highest standards and caliber.
our children to recognize the beauty in the diversity of people and accept and understand the
differences between us all.
In January 1997 I underwent Gender Reassignment Surgery in Montreal by Dr. Menard. Had
I known what a positive experience my stay in Montreal would be I would have arranged for
Jeri to accompany me. I was able to have surgery several months early due to a cancellation.
Before leaving for Montreal I received a special surprise from the City of Rock Springs
Police Department.
Yes I was touched when they gave the item to me. It further proved this was an exceptional
agency I had worked for with officers of the highest standards and caliber.
| Linda glows with happiness |
| A special "Transsexual Stick Doll" my daughter Jessica made for me |
| Short Biography of Linda A. Simpson: page 3 |
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