Outreach Image from JJ Hart. |
This morning, I went with my wife Liz to her doctor's appointment. She is a morning person which I am not, so I needed to be up much earlier than normal.
To make up for it, I shaved before I went to bed which was enough beard removal to get by with a light application of foundation. The entire process gained me a half hour of extra sleep which came in handy. Another benefit of being the first appointment was being in a nearly empty waiting room and actually being on time to be called. So, any worry about being noticed as a transgender woman in a potentially hostile world was erased.
I don't know why I worry so much. In the past ten years or so, I have never been harassed by anyone which means I am meeting my goal to dress to blend in with the public of women I encounter. Also, I cannot stress enough how much confidence plays in my presentation as a trans woman. I need to be prepared to smile and speak with other strangers, primarily women.
Coming up, I have several occasions to socialize with other women who I have never met before. However, a few I have met virtually several times so it will be interesting to see how it goes. Fortunately, we have a good weather day coming up for me to make a relatively lengthy drive to the venue where the luncheon is being held. I have an outfit picked out. It is a regional Alzheimer's diversity meeting, so I want to not be a distraction. As the only transgender person involved, I want to put my insecurities and contribute what I can to the group. Primarily, the reason I turned down a request to talk with a television reporter who acted as if he wanted to interview me concerning LGBTQ elderly care. Instead, the reporter kept steering the conversation towards the election which I preferred not to talk about. So, I decided not to go any further. I feel as if I need to explain it to the group.
Other get togethers are smaller Christmas or Yule events which are with people I have known for a long time, so there is no threat.
One thing is for certain, my long wait for my gender tomorrow is here. My trip to transgender womanhood has finally arrived and I need to enjoy and make the best of the life I have always dreamed of and put years of work being a cross dresser to get here.