Some of you know that yesterday I was asked to present at a long time friends retirement function. He is a well known and well respected scientist and eight people were asked to present a reflection of his life's work to an audience of his current and past colleagues and students.
I was privileged to be asked as one of the eight.
I have been FT for well over a year but I knew I would be facing colleagues who had never met Cindy and who would be unaware of my inner turmoil during the years I worked along side them.
I was the second speaker and yes there was a murmur through the audience of over a 100 as I went to the lectern. I had a ball, as usual.
We had drinks and nibbles after, as we mingled and talked to old comrades, colleagues etc. I was shocked in how many of my colleagues had aged, nothing compared to their shock in how I had changed
A few people avoided speaking to me, their right and of no consequence.
All of the people to whom I spoke where overwhelmingly loving, caring and respectful. Everyone was respectful, I had several people update my contact details to my new name immediately on their phones and asked for my new business card with my new details. I started several new professional collaborations and was hugged and kissed by ex-students.
It was marvelous.
The speakers went for dinner afterwards which was again a lot of fun.
At the end of dinner as we broke up an left I was stopped as I was leaving and told by two male colleagues that they would walk me back to my car. The other two female presenters were given the same courtesy.
It was all very natural, it was all a lot of fun. It was totally accepting.
I realise a few things during the evening.
My decision to die as an an old woman is definitely better than to die as an old man.
That normal human beings are just that.
And that people will accept you for who and what you are when you are open about it. At least in Australia; and that is how it should be.
But most of all, be careful of stepping to a lectern wearing high heels
