I have been very open on my website regarding that I have been struggling with several medical conditions over the last several years.

In addition to that, for most of my life I struggle with a medical condition called Gender Identity Disorder. Although I started struggling with this condition back in the 1956 as a young child, I was only diagnosed with this condition in 1997. I then proceeded to follow proper medical standards to change my gender, which was completed in 1999. Soon after that, I also defined my sexual orientation, which has always been towards woman and in changing my gender redefined from a heterosexual male to that presently of a lesbian woman.

As I have defined more this year as a woman artist who is also disabled, I now have the opportunity to define as a woman artist who has long roots with changing her gender and being part of the lesbian and greater GLBT communities. I believe in this very conservative political climate we often live with, that it is important for people who are public to say who they are show support and demonstrate community as well.

As part of this process of community, I am featured as 1 of 3 artist Art Gallery Reception (Free) including work from myself and two other artists. The show I hope shows my how through my art I have experiences both my lesbian and gender changing experiences. The Opening Starting Time: Friday 6-8pm at The William Way Community Center located at 1315 Spruce St. Philadelphia, PA 19107. The William Way Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Community Center was formed in 1996, when a group of community leaders came together to create a stronger, stable community center.

 Join us and myself for the opening reception for our 3rd Annual Juried Art Competition group show winners: Leigha Cohen, Jules, and Helen Wortham. These women bring diverse styles together incorporating photography, printmaking, and oil painting. RSVP to 215-732-2220 or firstrep@waygay.org

The show starts on August 4 and runs to the middle of September.

Leigha