| Rock Springs Police Department Memo |
| "Life may have no meaning. Or even worse, it may have a meaning of which I disapprove." - Ashleigh Brillant |
| ROCK SPRINGS POLICE DEPARTMENT INTER-OFFICE MEMO |
TO: All Personnel
FROM: Detective Rick Simpson #21
RE: Life Transition
Because I detest gossip and it's usually an inaccurate transmission of information I am putting this memo out with an
account of what is taking place. I would prefer to talk with everyone personally but time and circumstances do not
permit me to do so.
Many of you have noticed a number of changes, both physical and emotional, in me over the last couple of years.
Some of you have been made aware of what the changes are about but some are still unaware. The time has come
where these changes must take their next logical step, which will make their eventual result quite evident. Therefore,
it is time for me to be certain that everyone knows what is happening.
I suffer from a condition known as "Gender Dysphoria." Simply put, my emotional and physiological gender is not in
alignment with my genetic, physiological sex. To use well worn phrases I am a "Transsexual" which has commonly
been described as feeling like a woman trapped in a man's body. This is not an acquired condition but has been a life
long, intrinsic part of myself which has been the root of a lot of behaviors trying to deny and rid myself of such
feelings. As a result, my decision will come as a shock to many, especially since much of my past behavior has
outwardly been contrary but was actually an attempt to hide and suppress my cross gender feelings.
Gender Dysphoria is a relatively rare condition, but has been studied with a generally accepted medical and
psychological treatment. The treatment consists of psychological screening and evaluation, on-going psychotherapy,
hormone replacement therapy, extensive electrolysis, cosmetic surgery, and eventually Sex Reassignment Surgery
(SRS) commonly called a Sex Change Operation.
There are a rigorous set of internationally accepted Standards of care that provide guidelines for each phase of
treatment. These standards require that, for at least one year prior to surgery, one must live and work full-time, 24
hours a day 7 days a week, in the social role of their true gender. This period is referred to as the "Real Life Test"
(RLT) and is a very sensible precaution.
I was hormonally reassigned in August 1995 and have been undergoing continuous treatment over the past several
years. I have been cross living in my true gender since August 1995 with exception of my time at work. I am now
prepared to live as a woman "full time" for my real life test. Also, I have a petition before the District Court for a
name change to "Linda Anne Simpson" as this will become my legal name although I have been using it for a year
now.
My transition will not be easy on everyone, believe me it has been difficult enough for me to come to terms with
myself and then work through the years of requirements for the Standards of Care. My wife Jeri and my family are
very supportive of my decision and we are remaining together. Any personal and religious conflicts we encountered
have long been resolved and our hope is that this transition can be accomplished as smoothly as possible.
I realize that many people view this as morally wrong. That, however, is not my view as to me this is righting
something that was wrong at birth. despite one's view, it is a road that I must take regardless of the consequences.
It is not my intent to embarrass or upset anyone but I am realistic enough to know that I will not be readily accepted
by everyone and will be accepted in varying degrees by others. I ask you to accept the fact that this decision has been
reached after many years of unhappiness that involved hurting people close to me whom I love, and giving up much
that I value. I ask for tolerance and, if you can supply it, a continuation of your friendship.
Jeri and I have worked with many of you for years and hope this decision of ours will not overshadow those bonds we
held in the past. I am more than prepared to talk with anyone who wants to know more about my condition. I would
rather answer sincere, even very personal questions, than have misconceptions exist due to a lack of knowledge or
stereotypes that abound about Gender Dysphoria.
I'm not a different person, I only look a little different.
Thanks in advance for your consideration, support and understanding,
Det. Linda A. Simpson
CC:
Mayor Paul Oblock
Rock Springs Police Department
Sweetwater County Sheriffs Office
Wyoming Highway Patrol (Rock Springs Office)
Sheriff Gary Bailiff (with cover letter) - Sweetwater County Sheriffs Department
Deputy Edward Robinson - Sweetwater County Sheriffs Department
Sweetwater County Attorney's Office (Rock Springs Office)
Marge Robinson - City of Rock Springs Municipal Court
Lisa Wright - State of Wyoming Department of Family Services (Rock Springs Office)
FROM: Detective Rick Simpson #21
RE: Life Transition
Because I detest gossip and it's usually an inaccurate transmission of information I am putting this memo out with an
account of what is taking place. I would prefer to talk with everyone personally but time and circumstances do not
permit me to do so.
Many of you have noticed a number of changes, both physical and emotional, in me over the last couple of years.
Some of you have been made aware of what the changes are about but some are still unaware. The time has come
where these changes must take their next logical step, which will make their eventual result quite evident. Therefore,
it is time for me to be certain that everyone knows what is happening.
I suffer from a condition known as "Gender Dysphoria." Simply put, my emotional and physiological gender is not in
alignment with my genetic, physiological sex. To use well worn phrases I am a "Transsexual" which has commonly
been described as feeling like a woman trapped in a man's body. This is not an acquired condition but has been a life
long, intrinsic part of myself which has been the root of a lot of behaviors trying to deny and rid myself of such
feelings. As a result, my decision will come as a shock to many, especially since much of my past behavior has
outwardly been contrary but was actually an attempt to hide and suppress my cross gender feelings.
Gender Dysphoria is a relatively rare condition, but has been studied with a generally accepted medical and
psychological treatment. The treatment consists of psychological screening and evaluation, on-going psychotherapy,
hormone replacement therapy, extensive electrolysis, cosmetic surgery, and eventually Sex Reassignment Surgery
(SRS) commonly called a Sex Change Operation.
There are a rigorous set of internationally accepted Standards of care that provide guidelines for each phase of
treatment. These standards require that, for at least one year prior to surgery, one must live and work full-time, 24
hours a day 7 days a week, in the social role of their true gender. This period is referred to as the "Real Life Test"
(RLT) and is a very sensible precaution.
I was hormonally reassigned in August 1995 and have been undergoing continuous treatment over the past several
years. I have been cross living in my true gender since August 1995 with exception of my time at work. I am now
prepared to live as a woman "full time" for my real life test. Also, I have a petition before the District Court for a
name change to "Linda Anne Simpson" as this will become my legal name although I have been using it for a year
now.
My transition will not be easy on everyone, believe me it has been difficult enough for me to come to terms with
myself and then work through the years of requirements for the Standards of Care. My wife Jeri and my family are
very supportive of my decision and we are remaining together. Any personal and religious conflicts we encountered
have long been resolved and our hope is that this transition can be accomplished as smoothly as possible.
I realize that many people view this as morally wrong. That, however, is not my view as to me this is righting
something that was wrong at birth. despite one's view, it is a road that I must take regardless of the consequences.
It is not my intent to embarrass or upset anyone but I am realistic enough to know that I will not be readily accepted
by everyone and will be accepted in varying degrees by others. I ask you to accept the fact that this decision has been
reached after many years of unhappiness that involved hurting people close to me whom I love, and giving up much
that I value. I ask for tolerance and, if you can supply it, a continuation of your friendship.
Jeri and I have worked with many of you for years and hope this decision of ours will not overshadow those bonds we
held in the past. I am more than prepared to talk with anyone who wants to know more about my condition. I would
rather answer sincere, even very personal questions, than have misconceptions exist due to a lack of knowledge or
stereotypes that abound about Gender Dysphoria.
I'm not a different person, I only look a little different.
Thanks in advance for your consideration, support and understanding,
Det. Linda A. Simpson
CC:
Mayor Paul Oblock
Rock Springs Police Department
Sweetwater County Sheriffs Office
Wyoming Highway Patrol (Rock Springs Office)
Sheriff Gary Bailiff (with cover letter) - Sweetwater County Sheriffs Department
Deputy Edward Robinson - Sweetwater County Sheriffs Department
Sweetwater County Attorney's Office (Rock Springs Office)
Marge Robinson - City of Rock Springs Municipal Court
Lisa Wright - State of Wyoming Department of Family Services (Rock Springs Office)
