''He was one of the most talented writers I've ever worked with.... He was a gentle man, a kind man. It's just a tragedy.''

LA Times Sports editor Mike James about sportswriter Mike Penner who began the transition from male to female just two years ago, and announced in his writing that he would go on vacation for a few weeks and return as Christine Daniels. But a year ago, he returned to a male appearance and began using his original name again. The New York Daily News reports he was taking hormone therapy but had not had any surgery. And the preliminary cause of death appears to have been a suicide. (LA Times)

''I just felt that I kind of got a raw deal on this thing. And yeah, I wish I could be a girl. I really envy girls. But I didn't think there was anything I could do about it. And so I just tried to make the best of -- the best of being Mike. For a lot of years.''

The late sportswriter Mike Penner speaking with NPR about struggling towards a transition to Christine Daniels. (NPR)