"Bella has talked at length about the hysterectomy she had a couple of years back, how it was one of the best things to happen to her because she now has no period and no need for birth control. So, once she said the "no opinion" line I looked at her and asked: "Didn't you have a hysterectomy?"

"None of my female friends make me feel less because of my gender."

I'm glad none of your female friends make you feel less because of your gender, but I'm betting good money that you with your comment, you absolutely made Bella feel less, and I think you intended to do so.

I think everyone's the asshole here.

You had a hysterectomy to transition. You're a man. Fine.

There was a point in time this year when they thought I might need a hysterectomy, complete with both ovaries removed, due to endometriosis and a large ovarian cyst. I ended up just having the fallopian tubes and one ovary removed, but the point is, when a woman is faced with having to have a hysterectomy, it's an overwhelming process.

You may have wanted yours gone. For a lot of women, having a uterus and ovaries defines them as women. It's an integral part of our body.

And we can simultaneously say things like "I'm so glad I don't have one anymore, periods are so much better," etc etc etc, while also struggling emotionally to come to terms with it.

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At any rate, I think Bella was an asshole. But so were you, and I think you meant to be.