Posted March 18, 2024 at 12:01 am
I’ve been waffling for quite some time as to how, when, or even if to make this announcement. Part of me feels obligated in some way, while I have other mind to feel it’s no one’s business but my own. In the end, the long-standing support of my readers and of the LGBTQIA+ community in sharing and supporting my work and career have won out.
As many of you likely know my marriage ended several years ago. Though amicable, it was a massive blow to my life and my sense of self and of the future of my life path. After a long struggle I finally sought coinciding and therapy and was forced to confront part of myself and my life that I had long ignored, neglected and in some cases was completely unaware of.

In short, among other things, I am trans.

At this point I’m well aware that some of you will likely stop reading. Some will support me. so will not care. Some will greet this with hostility and likely cut me off forever.

That’s okay. I’m okay with it. I don’t have that kind of anger anymore and while I may disagree with you I wish you my best.

Hell, I fought this myself, for longer than I was ever aware. In august I started hrt to see if it would help me at all or if I was wrong.

It was as if a veil was lifted from my life; like sun burning away the fog in my mind.

My Tourette’s syndrome and my OCD all but evaporated. My depression and anxiety reduced to such a degree that I was able to reduce all my medications. For the first time in so long I laugh out loud. I had forgotten what that was even like. I don’t hate myself anymore. I don’t imagine my own death in some misguided sense of deserved punishment for my own existence.

I sense many of you that have spent the last twenty years reading my work starting to roll your eyes thinking “well, DUH! It took you long enough to figure that out, idiot. We’ve suspected for years.” Yeah. I totally hear you.

I’m not a different person. I don’t expect anyone to treat me in any way that makes them feel uncomfortable. I’m still working and writing as Chris Hazelton, long time comic artist. Use whatever pronouns make you happy. I did this for me and that’s what is important.

I don’t know what the future holds. I spent my adult life pursuing a future that no longer exists. Everything is in flux and there is in fact a strange freedom in that.

I’m also here to talk it to answer questions, so long as the conversations are civil. Please reach out if you want. I’m here and open and happy.

I want to thank my family and friends for friends for their support, love and understanding, and particularly my girlfriend who has been beyond amazing in helping me through the last half a year in so many ways and with such acceptance.
Anyway, don’t want to make this any weirder than it feels already. It’s a great relief to put this out in the world of my own volition rather than having people stumble across it.

I need to get back to my studio and throw myself at another page and see what the next chapter brings to my books and my life.