Monday September 1, 2025

 Monday September 1 2025

Almost three months have passed since I first felt the impulse to change my name. I’m amazed at how clearly that idea came to me in the middle of June. I was not unsure about this. I knew clearly, in a truly epiphanic way, that I wished to change my name to Daisy, and that I wished for my identity to embrace the qualities of both the Masculine and the Feminine. I was less sure about how this process would play out, and about how, in a very real way, I would express this change in myself. Although I trusted that things would transpire in a positive manner, I did have fears/concerns about how others would take the news. After a couple of months I can say that the response has been overwhelmingly supportive and loving! I’m so very grateful for my family, friends and community for their unflinching endorsement.

I am continuing to navigate the way in which I’m allowing my identity to settle in. It would seem that I have always been essentially bigender, or Dúal Anam; that I have, since birth, felt a clear resonance with both genders. Like most children growing up in a relatively conservative environment I learned of only two options growing up and I likely learned to suppress the ways in which the Feminine showed up in me. I accepted that I was a male and didn’t really have the language or tools to understand otherwise. When I looked in the mirror I saw myself as male. However it was clear I wasn't like most of the other guys, and I expressed myself in many traditionally feminine ways, so that as I grew and gradually let go of the ways in which I limited my self expression, I allowed more and more of my authentic self to come forward.

It feels right to be Daisy, to acknowledge my inherent womanhood. I’m excited by what I might yet discover about myself as I allow this feeling to resonate within me. I remind myself repeatedly that it is a process and I can enjoy that for what it is. Still, when running on autopilot, I answer the phone, “Hi, Hugh here”,  but I’m also introducing myself as Daisy to people who have never met me before and I’m being greeted by those who really get this with enthusiasm and respect.  

A couple of days ago I ran into someone I had not spoken with for several months who said upon meeting, “Hey Daisy, great to see you!”

Coming Out Message: July 20/25

 This message was first posted on Instagram on July 20/25.

I want to share something about which I’ve only recently become fully aware, but which has been percolating within me for at least several months.

The simple truth is that I’m not simply and categorically male. I’m still figuring this out, but it’s time to come out publicly with what I understand about myself so far. It’s a process and I’m learning as I open up to this realization.

If you’re looking for a label you could say I’m Bigender or Dúal Anam (Irish for two-souled). Aside from some changes to my hair and wardrobe, you might not notice anything different about me. I actually haven’t changed at all, it’s just that I now have a much clearer idea of who I really am.

I feel a deep satisfaction with this new awareness; a grounded homecoming that is healing a lifetime of shame. I like a lot of things about being a man, and I also feel a profound and essential connection to the feminine in me. I’m learning to honour her, making her real in me. 

Just so you know, I’m not in any kind of crisis. On the contrary, I’m absolutely living my best life and, because I’m having so much fun these days, I’m able to acknowledge and make real this new awareness. I’m feeling quite light and playful about it all.

The name that has come to me is Daisy. I’m really not all that fussy about how you address me. I like the name Hugh so don’t feel you have to change it up, but I’m also trying on this new name, which combines for me a surreal combination of hilarity and sweetness. Please use whichever of these names feels right for you. I’m certainly not yet used to my new name, so it’ll take time.

I’m also good with whatever pronouns. I’m used to He/Him, but I’d be fine with She/Her too. And there’s nothing wrong with They/Them.

I’m grateful to my partner, Keri Nelson, who has supported me with so much love and understanding, has provided much wise and compassionate counsel, and has witnessed my evolution through this natural and organic process with curiosity and compassion.

I’m grateful to my kid, Charlie and her partner Lucy, who have shown me the way to be who I really am, proudly and freely.

And I’m grateful to my absolutely awesome and loving step-daughters, Talia & Miriam, for giving me the gift of their support and love.

Let me know if you’d like to connect. It’s an interesting ride and I’d be happy to chat.

The First Post

August 6 2025

Welcome to My Blog!          Thanks for taking a moment to land here!

Life has been very good to me and for that I’m extremely grateful. There have been many shifts over the past several years, some subtle, some seemingly dramatic. It’s all good and I’m hoping to convey in these posts some of my thoughts and experiences for anyone who would like to follow along.

I’m Daisy and am delighted to have this opportunity to share. My heartfelt intention is to be as true to myself as I possibly can be, and that you will find in my words something relevant and meaningful (or perhaps even entertaining) for yourself.

I took this picture in June/25 of a cluster of Daisies growing very near our home. My new name was making itself known to me around this time.

So this chapter begins…