Three years ago, Lisa Ling explored the very private worlds of four different transgender people on their emotional journeys of transformation. In an uplifting update on "Our America with Lisa Ling," she follows up with 51-year-old Michelle, born "Mitchell."
After admitting to his wife of 28 years that he was secretly cross-dressing, Mitchell made the decision to fully transition to a woman with gender reassignment surgery.
It took some time, but Michelle's two sons, Tom and Matthew, say they have adjusted. And so has Michelle's wife, Deb, who not only stuck by her side but also helped Michelle transition into the woman she always dreamed of being.
"We have a totally different relationship now," Deb says. "The secrets are gone."
When out in public, Michelle says most people see them as girlfriends. Ling asks them how intimacy works for them now. "It's different," Michelle says. "It's like starting over again and just learning each other."
At the end of the clip, Deb is helping Michelle try on clothes when cameras capture a touching moment. Michelle stands in front of a mirror and looks at herself. "This is just great," she says. "The way I always thought I should be.
"I don't know, I just really like myself now," she says, smiling. "This is really me, as opposed to who I was before."
"Our America with Lisa Ling" airs Thursdays at 10 p.m. ET on OWN.
