My Valiant Journey

My Valiant Journey Life Story and Photos

Childhood Years (1974-1986)

I knew at a young age that I was "different".

I was born in Wausau, WIsconsin in 1974 in a small city Hospital.

I was assigned female at birth. Obviously, my chromosomes weren't tested and no pelvic ultrasound was done. It was acceptable that I was a "tomboy" which I was supposed to eventually outgrow. But obviously, this wasn't a phase.I was supposed to be named after my dad.

I was 7 and in the second grade in this photo. Many of my school photos were of me wearing either boy or gender neutral clothes. I was 12 when I discovered theater and played music (drums). This gave me a chance to express myself and have a positive outlet for self therapy.

Teenage Years (1987-1992)

Childhood Years (1974-1986)

Like a lot of people who had "big hair" 80s and 90s, I used plenty of Aquanet in High School. Guilty as charged! LOL! I was very "preppy" in my hair and clothes . I wore Oakley sunglasses, Guess Jeans, Doc Marten Boots, Black Leather Jacket, and later on my MHS Letterman's Jacket. I played piano or keyboards one year, drums for three years and lettered in band. This photo is of my Senior High School Photo for Class of 1992.

But I had a little bit of a rebellious streak by wearing Heavy Metal or Rock T-Shirts from my favorite store "Camelot Music" at the Wausau Center Mall. My favorite band was INXS. I wore band T Shirts like INXS, Bon Jovi, Poison, Guns N' Roses, Europe, Metallica, Foreigner, The Cult, Duran Duran, Depeche Mode, and a lot more Music Influences.

College Years (1992-1996)

Childhood Years (1974-1986)

Being Discovered as Intersex (1999)

My College Years were very difficult for me. Early on, I was considered "different" and not in a good way by my peers. There were rumors of me being "Gay" and having "AIDS" which wasn't true. That definitely got me ostracized in the early 1990s. I didn't know what "gay" was till College. It wasn't till way later I learned about what Transgender and Intersex really meant.

I was ostracized on campus No one physically threatened my life. But I was emotional and psychologically abused by my peers. and even some Professors too. I really should have transferred to another College. But I was told that things would get better and people would get to really know me. But that never happened.

I survived by having friends off campus and being involved in Community Organizations. This was my MSC College Graduation Photo 1996. My mom was so proud of me and took this photo. I graduated with high honors with a BA in English Education and Theater. But my University teaching career was cut short for me.

Being Discovered as Intersex (1999)

After my Graduate Assistantship to get my Master's Degree paid for and teach University level English was taken away, I went through plenty of discrimination and financial hardships. I didn't feel safe to move back home and start all over again.

I had some friends along the way who helped me out. I heard more of what LGBT meant around this time. But then, I still knew this wasn't me either. Somehow along the way, I learned about the word "intersex". I met some transgender people and decided to look into "gender affirming care" through the UMN because I felt male but didn't know why. I thought maybe I am intersex since I didn't go through puberty normally like my female friends.

So I looked into "gender affirming care" and started to question if I might be "intersex". They didn't want me in their program. I got no referral out of there. I had to research on my own on the internet about "intersex" and figure out who could help me.

I found a Urologist and Endocrinologist who tested my chromosomes , had my hormone levels checked, and have a pelvic ultrasound done. The results finally proved that I was XY AIS. I was born Intersex. I was immediately put on testosterone replacement therapy. It took six months for my voice to change, grow a beard, and other important changes which made my life better. This photo was right before my legal name change and being on Testosterone in September 1999.

Adulthood 20s-30s

Being Discovered as Intersex (1999)

Adulthood 20s-30s

After realizing that I am not accepted by the LGBT Community, I made a decision to leave. in 2005, I moved from MN to CA. I did not get involved with the LGBT Community in Hillcrest San Diego or Los Angeles. However, I was involved in being a Medical Consultant for Intersex People. So I could help in that way.

Also, I became more involved in the Technology Profession and eventually did some teaching at various Tech Conventions in San Diego. I tried to salvage what I had left for a life in a new City.

I had LASIK eye surgery in 2006. I went from wearing glasses for 20 years with a vision of 20/400 to 20/20.

I could wear the really cool designer sunglasses now!

I enjoyed some fun times with playing music in bands and acting on TV and Theater between San Diego and Los Angeles. I felt like I was finally accomplishing something in life. I had some really cool new friends who never knew that I was intersex. I wasn't sure who was safe to talk to anymore.

Adulthood 40s-50s

Being Discovered as Intersex (1999)

Adulthood 20s-30s

I was already married for seven years when we moved to Los Angeles for Technology Consulting, Modeling, and Acting. My wife was taking care of her father in Hospice at his house. I got along very well with my mother in law and father in law till they passed in 2014. This was a very difficult time for both of us.

In 2017, we moved back to San Diego. The pollution was taking it's toll on my health. So we couldn't live in Los Angeles anymore. I needed time to take care of my health. But there was another pollution issue that I had to deal with as well in San Diego County too. I took some time off.

I was able to continue my technology consulting and music. I was back in studio making Contemporary Instrumental Music and playing Bass Guitar. I really met a lot of cool people who played music in studio alongside with me!

Frequently Asked Questions

Most FAQ that I have been asked being born intersex over the years. I will be posting these soon!

What is Intersex?

Intersex people are people born with any of several sex characteristics, including chromosome patterns, gonads, or genitals that, according to the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, "do not fit typical binary notions of male or female bodies"

Why don't you identify as FTM (Female to Male)?

I don't identify as FTM because I had both internal male and female reproductive organs. I have XY chromosomes. I never went through puberty in my teens to be a woman due to a lack of estrogen. I know it sounds like I dodged a couple bullets by not having periods and not having to go through menopause in mid life. But I have osteopenia which is low bone density. That is very common for intersex people due to lack of hormones in our bodies. I take enhanced supplements and testosterone replacement therapy. FTMs don't have these issues with osteopenia due to having estrogen during puberty.

When did you know that you were "different"?

I knew when I was very young maybe 4 years old. I felt more "male" then "female". Sometimes, I felt like I was both. I grew up in a very rural area in Central WI. We had no cable TV. There definitely no internet. I realized much later that a lot of what was on TV and radio was very censored. I didn't have any clue about LGBT people.

More FAQ

How long did it take for your changes to male?

I started testosterone replacement therapy September 1999. It took me six months to have a deeper voice and a beard among other important changes. My singing voice went from Contralto to Baritone. Sometimes, depending on a song, I could sing Bass-Baritone.

What surgeries did you have done?

I had several surgeries. I had a cancerous tumor removed when I was 15. I lost half my right pec muscle. I had my ovotestes and a mass that might have been a deformed uterus removed when I was 27. It was discovered via pelvic ultrasound that I have a prostate. So I have had my PSA level (Prostate-Specific Antigen) checked since I was 25. I had my first Prostate exam after I turned 50.

What is your sexual orientation?

I am heterosexual and dated straight and bi women. It helped that I was on testosterone. It helped me go through puberty as a male the right way! The way I was meant to be. I can have heterosexual sex with women. I just can't procreate with them. There is nothing wrong with being straight.

Awesome 2025 Update! Overseas connections with LGBTIQ+ and Pride Techno Music Commissions!

I found my "Rainbow Tribe"!

After so long ago of not being accepted as Intersex here in America by the LGBT community, I got connected with some LGBTIQ+ communities overseas. Some are musicians who are intersex just like me!

So I worked out some songs with them. I was commissioned to compose two Techno songs (3 & 4) for Pride. All these Techno songs are going to be used form Pride Festivals, Fashion shows and/or Nightclubs.

I am inspired by Techno Dance Songs like "Flawless" & "Freedom 90" by George Michael and "Deeper and Deeper" & "Vogue" by Madonna.

Here are the 5 titles are so far!

There are some background lyrics by me or others.

1. "Onirico"

(Italian for "Dream like" or Dream State")

2. "StarStruck" (dedicated to Gillian Anderson)

3. "FabuloUS" (World Pride Festivals)

4. "Slay" (World Pride Festivals)

5. "Rendezvous"

Bonus Track: "AVANTI" (2024 on SoundCloud)

These 5 will be posted on SoundCloud soon at

m.soundcloud.com/valiant-michael

Contact me

Why the LGBT Community doesn't want me to exist decades ago.

" I live the best life that every FTM could ever dream of"

In 1999, I found out that I was XY AIS Intersex. Regardless of anyone's beliefs etc. I was literally born this way. The majority of the criticism and/or rejection of me is by the LGBT Community.

It is either religious people being uneducated and ignorant or LGBT Community being prejudice.

I was not accepted for being Intersex and having a heterosexual orientation.

As if that was a choice.

I will be writing more of a specific situation in 2004 that made me realize that my past activism for LGBT rights, Same Sex Marriage, and writing inspirational lyrics for a song "Our Voice of Truth" wasn't going to be acknowledged. I was controversial not the song's lyrics.

I attended MN Pride 2004 and felt so alone. I didn't feel like I belonged there. What is is more so shocking is that in 2002 I went to my High School Class Reunion only three years after I went from Intersex to Male! I was treated way better by my High School classmates than anyone LGBT.

My Life Story and Photos