My name is TJ. I’m a gay trans man who lives in Southern California with my dog, Lucy. I’m a storyteller and a college professor who teaches communication studies. I’ve had to start my life over again more times than I wish to think about, but am resilient and have learned many lessons during my 53 years on this earth. I love road trips and food. This country has so much to offer and I explore every part as often as possible. I’m currently working on my next one person show called “All the Letters, Top to Bottom” which looks at my life as an L, G, B, T, and Q. My journey and adventures in dating, sex, and relationships throughout the rainbow. From the Michigan Women’s festival to Grindr. I am an empath, spiritual, hilarious, an ambivert, an old soul, and a kid at heart. Proud Gen Xer raised on hose water and neglect. I can be a homebody or a club hopper. I’m a certified professional Santa, a noted cheese expert, and a licensed BBQ judge. I practice self care daily and am becoming my own best friend. It’s pretty cool. I’m a huge fan of The Golden Girls, 90’s Hip Hop, old school Jazz, Grey DeLisle, all 80’s music, AJR, Dolly, and pretty much any female pop singer. Proud Swiftie. I like to read. Nonfiction books mostly. Huge Brene Brown , Cornel West, and Pema Chodron enthusiast. I journal everyday while enjoying a glass of chocolate milk. I take things in stride and am easy to talk to. I’m a sucker for a good white trash beer or a dirty martini with extra olives, depending on the day. Life is hard but also good.