July 1st, 2007

I went shopping with some friends today and had lunch.  We spent some time in the store, scouring the sales, looking at schools & jewelry as well as clothes.  I can't say as we detected anyone giving us second looks, and we had no trouble talking with sales clerks or using the changing rooms.   Being in a group can be safer and probably easier to blend in.  We went to eat at Applebee's and several people there referred to us as 'ladies', and it was kind of neat to be correctly classified! 

After lunch, I decided to shop a couple other stores, as I'd not quite found some things I was looking for.  But I was solo this time.  And the 2 stores I shopped had ladies checking your garments before you went in.  So I had to 'pass' these women to get into the women's changing area.  I was pleased to see that no one batted an eye and I'd exchanges a few sentences with them, and passed other women in the changing area.  No problems at all!

So this leads me to believe one of two things.  Either I'm passing just fine or many people in society don't have a problem with transgender people.  I supposed it's possible that someone spotted my male attributes but just didn't say anything and went away bothered by it, but I really didn't see anyone take notice at all.

I do realize, that transitioning is not all about shopping & clothes.  I'm not out to make a statement, and just want to be my self.  I'm sure that I'll have some bad encounters yet, and it's not like all the people I care about are even comfortable with me.  There are plenty of people openly supporting me, but it's the silent friends I worry about.  Do I interpret that as they're so cool with it, that they don't even mention it?  I don't think so.  But I do hope that any one I care about can eventually see that I'm still a friend of theirs and include me in their lives.

There is something to be said about the First Amendment and freedom of speech.  It's already been interpretted as we have a right to freedom of expression, and people should be free to express them selves, even if that means appearing as the opposite gender.  This applies not just to transsexuals, but to cross dressers too.  If all anyone is doing is choosing to express and be themself they way they see themselves, that should be encouraged.  It's generally acknowledged that variety in life is a good thing, and as long as nothing is harmful to others, diversity should be welcomed.  Our children need to learn these things so that when they're adults, they're also welcoming of different people.

Ok, that's my soapbox speech for now.  I think I've mentioned, that this site is really just about my transition, but that could encompass a number of things.  Becoming the gender I feel I am does not solve my life's problems.  I still have the same personal problems, but it does make me feel more capable of dealing with them, and that could make all the difference. 

It is one of my hopes that my website gives some hope to those who will be going through the same process, and my next couple blogs will probably covere some more personal issues, as they relate to my transition.