Love Lost, And Found | Stonewall OutLoud

“I had to be who I wasn’t so that I could survive.”
Sue McConnell and Kristyn Weed are best friends and Vietnam-era veterans. Although they didn’t serve in the war together, they share a story of courage - on and off the battlefield.
They met at a transgender veterans’ support group, and after hours of talking over coffee, they became inseparable. Since coming out, both Sue and Kristyn have lost contact with family members, but they’ve formed a powerful, enduring sisterhood.
Directed by
Richard O’Connor
Executive Producers
Dave Isay
Rachel Hartman
Joanna DuFour
Producer
Savannah Winchester
Senior Audio Producer
Jasmyn Morris
Audio Produced by
Liyna Anwar
Supervising Sound Recordist
Mia Warren
Animation by
Ace & Son Moving Picture Co., LLC
Design
Maurice Vellekoop
Animation
Taisiya Zaretskaya
Chris harper
Emmett Goodman
Art Production
Natalie Greene
Wanda Noonan
Original Music
Joshua Abrams
Music Performed by
Joshua Abrams
Hamid Drake
Marquis Hill
Emmett Kelly
Adam Thornburg
Music Mixed by
Joshua Abrams
Neil Strauch
Outro Music
“Filing Away” by Blue Dot Sessions
From the Album Crab Shack
Published by Blue Dot Sessions
Special Thanks
Sue McConnell & Kristyn Weed
In Partnership with
American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress
NPR
POV
Funding Provided by
Corporation for Public Broadcasting [logo]
A private corporation funded by the American people.
Copyright © StoryCorps 2018. All Rights Reserved.
Funded in Part By
Lyft
TH-cam

[@imakedoodleslol]

i'm glad in the face of rejection, these two could still find each other :) thank you for sharing this story.

[@MrSuperstargamer]

Now this is the kind of stuff I needed to hear. As someone who's straight/heterosexual and doesn't completely understand transgenderism as a whole, stories like this gives people like me a lot of insight. No one deserves to be disowned by family members; they should love you for who you really are and what you choose to be.

[@Mysterious420x]

It’s sad, You shouldn’t hate a person for their beliefs and actions. They did what is best for them and their mental health and happiness. Why would you hate someone for being happy? You should love someone for being a good person. No matter who they are, what color they are, what gender they are. Love knows no bounds.

[@CedarCritter]

Horrible how some of us have to lose the people we loved for so many years just so we can be our authentic selves. These women had so much will power to be able to survive that long not being able to be who they are.

[@SeriouslySeriousGrim]

That is so unbelievable sweet, a sisterhood through it all. I hope they know many people support them, and I love them for being true to themselves.

[@krumblemumble8628]

I am glad that they found each other. Its so sad to think that a family member can be so unaccepting. I never want to cause that kind of pain to my family. I might not like my family all the time or even understand the decisions that they make, but I will always love them.

[@maramackenzie-mann]

Their children don't deserve them.
I am so glad those two found one another though.

[@bzknorthstar]

This is so beautiful. It’s amazing to know that no matter what, God somehow makes sure we all have a friend we can truly relate to!

[@1412Bunny]

that's so sad that their children abandoned them :'(

[@moniquemc4553]

I don’t understand disowning anyone for following their heart ❤️ Those that disown are the ones losing out.

[@shefelldown1]

Your kids are really missing out! I'm so glad you found your sister. 💜

[@autumngalix4616]

I love these two!! 😭

[@mirianalajtman7728]

Family doesnt have to agree or accept what you to with your life.... they should just love you. And this is heartbreaking to see in this story. :(

[@mrexcelsior1414]

I love these stories.

[@ZARCLONIA]

It is so heartwarming

[@minako134]

Such a lovely story ;;

[@gidget330]

This is lovely

[@boneheadedfellow13]

i love this, can you tell tell them that diego morals, a 12 yr kid hopes they have even greater times

[@tipsycat27]

im glad they found one another

[@thecullergray]

ae

[@Nyasiamonique]

I swear they so adorable 😍

[@mr.osmosis5713]

Awww that had a pretty good emding

[@cartoonking1789]

Glad they found their soul sisters

[@phantasmanna]

My freakin' heart

[@jasminetea2696]

Ommmmg so cute ❤️

[@Swishy_Blue]

You are my sister. You are.

[@wwbwbgohbc]

the audio was a little hard to hear for me, but the story was lovely as always

[@mackenziegivens6061]

Transgender Thelma and Louise 😊

[@militarymonkey1207]

I am happy to find you

[@kayleighf4389]

🥺🥺🥺

[@alinatulliart812]

😭