Penner was the subject of news stories around the world when he said in 2007 that he didn't considere himself a man and that he would continue his sports writing career under the byline Christine Daniels. In 2008, however, he started living as a man again and using the name Mike Penner again. He was very public about his first gender change, but mostly private about changing back.
"He was one of the most talented writers I've ever worked with. He was a gentle man, a kind man," James said. "It's just a tragedy."In 2007, Penner wrote, "I am a transsexual sportswriter. It has taken more than 40 years, a million tears and hundreds of hours of soul-wrenching therapy for me to work up the courage to type those words."
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Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Sad story. RIP.
Well said Mike. This is a sad story.
I am truly at a loss for words. As I sat here trying to do the simplest thing typing her or him. I was at a complete loss. I can’t fathom the daily conflict this wonderful person battled. I hope peace is finally at hand for Mike and Christine.
RIP
Very sad that he chose to take is life and not enter treatment. May he rest in peace.
So sorry for all the pain he was obviously in, not just at the end of his life, but apparently throughout his life. May he have the peace in death that he sought in life, and may God bless his family at this painful and difficult time. I am touched to see all of the posts are supportive. I've read so many nasty posts with some of the saddest stories that I braced myself for rude comments. Thankfully, there are none. Again, may he rest in peace, and may God comfort his family. He sounds like a lovely person.
Why are you offing yourself?
With all the therapy required before a person undergoes this type of surgery, I don't think it does much good. Most people end up miserable in the long run, and the suicide rate is very high for transgenders. Maybe these people were never happy to begin with, and a sex change made no difference.
WHY DIDN'T HE WORK ON WHAT HE WAS!!?? AND NOT KILL HIMSELF FOR WHAT HER THOUGHT HE WAS.
I knew Mike Penner and he was a good person.
I don't understand transgenders and the emotional problems they are supposed to be having. Being from the Viet Nam era and the loss of many friends and the struggles thru life as a male, I didn't find it necessary to try and wear makeup or learn to keep my knees together when sitting. I don't get it. I guess I am neutral on the idea but glad I am a man.
I feel sorry for this guy. Is it any wonder that a man or a woman would suffer gender-confusion in our liberal society which encourages people to live without limits, even gender limits, and legitimizes any and every kind of perversion: homosexuality, bestiality, sodomy, yes, transexualism.
Traditional sexuality-marriage, monomony, or self-chosen celibacy = fulfulled lives/
You're an idiot Rick. For one thing, the word is 'monogamy'. For another, I don't know of anyone that's trying to legitimize bestiality. And third, it's quite transparent that you don't actually "feel sorry" for anyone, you're just out to spill your homophobia across the waves of the ether...
Rick, why don't you try living in the present day world. And who ever said YOU were perfect? Pathetic..........
Your comments are stupid Rick. People whose lives are difficult enough are made harder by the bigoted comments of people like you.
Well....it looks like he finally made one definite decision. Sad.
Has a Transman FTM myself it is so very very hard to transition.Bless you Christine..Kimrey
very very sad
He was one of the most talented writers I've ever worked with. He was a gentle man, a kind man," James said. "It's just a tragedy."
....I mean woman....I mean man....oh whatever
The only research that was ever done as follow up to those who switched sexes showed that the majority wished they had learned to accept themselves and forgone the surgery.
Sadly, there seems to be an agenda that aids and abets such gender confusion because there is money to be made.
I wish this gentleman had received the therapy he needed from someone who had no political or sexist agenda to learn to accept his gender, whatever it was. As it is his switching back and forth caused him harm and, he is not the first to have done this.
May he rest in peace.
Georgia, could you provide a citation for this research. I haven't run across it, and I have my doubts as to whether it's legit.