Being looked up to...

[SailorMars1994]

This happened a few months ago, but I have been too bewildered to tell many people. Inwas working at this store back in a December and this Asian military person i seen occasionally was there. I helped then before and they seemed to really want to chat with me. One day, as I was filling up the grocery isles and they followed me asking me my name and somehow they knew I was trans... well, turns out "he" is a she. This person and I chatted a bit and they were saying things around the lines that I gave them the strength to know they are not a lone, and they are now planning their coming out date and basically i was an inspiration.

I really hope this person , she, has a successful transition and lives a happy and wholesome life. I see nothing but a good person in those eyes when I last law them.

....but.... what exactly did I do? I just rang their groceries a few times and chatted for 4 minutes once. I don't see how that makes me inspirational but by how they were going on you would have thought I was Jazz Jennings or Sarah McBride. And I am very far from either of those ladies.

Either or, has anyone ever told you  that you gave them the strength to come out?

[sarah1972]

Not anything trans related. But I had co-worker telling me that my coming out changed his entire perspective on life and that he has a lot of new motivation. He ended up tuning most of his life around and moved across country out of a cabin in the deep woods of Georgia to the suburbs in Arizona. He is doing so much better since his move and him and his wife are so much happier now.

Very strange...

This happened a few months ago, but I have been too bewildered to tell many people. Inwas working at this store back in a December and this Asian military person i seen occasionally was there. I helped then before and they seemed to really want to chat with me. One day, as I was filling up the grocery isles and they followed me asking me my name and somehow they knew I was trans... well, turns out "he" is a she. This person and I chatted a bit and they were saying things around the lines that I gave them the strength to know they are not a lone, and they are now planning their coming out date and basically i was an inspiration.

I really hope this person , she, has a successful transition and lives a happy and wholesome life. I see nothing but a good person in those eyes when I last law them.

....but.... what exactly did I do? I just rang their groceries a few times and chatted for 4 minutes once. I don't see how that makes me inspirational but by how they were going on you would have thought I was Jazz Jennings or Sarah McBride. And I am very far from either of those ladies.

Either or, has anyone ever told you  that you gave them the strength to come out?

[KathyLauren]

The fact that we are out and open, living our lives as our true selves normalizes the presence of trans people in society.  It helps other trans people indirectly because, in spite of the sensational headlines, most cis people get a chance to learn who we really are (like, normal people, duh!) and to fear us less.  And it helps them directly because they see that it is possible to live openly without being in fear all the time.

So yes, you really are inspirational.  Live with it!   

[Tatiana 79]

 I couldn't agree with Kathy Lauren more.
The mere fact that you interacted as I hate to say normal or cis  people tells me that both of you have found Harmony between your mind and your physical self. This is something that I am personally struggling with and know that you don't have to be some famous star to be inspirational you just have to be yourself and you have inspired this newbie.

All the best for your future your sense of normalcy is truly awesome love Tatiana

[Eryn T]

Hey, Sailor Mars!

I think it's also like the disconnect between real life and online.  Like you may hear of things existing, but it changes your perspective once you actually physically encounter them, y'know?

Honestly, I have no idea how I'd react if I met a trans person in real life right now. I've probably seen plenty and just didn't know it.  I feel like I would look up to them, too.  Especially if they are further(or fully) transitioned than I am. Paying it forward, respecting seniority, etc.

Your story reminded me how when I was younger, on an online game, a gay youth looked up to me, because I pretended to be gay.  At the time, it really just seemed like I wasn't much of a manly man and therefore must have been gay.  I really didn't know how to feel at the time, either, but if I helped them that's all that matters, right?

But don't sweat being an inspiration to someone else(even in the smallest sense), that's something to take pride in!  Oftentimes, the simplest and smallest gestures can have the biggest impact on someone's life. So, keep spreading positivity, I say! 

[Michelle_P]

Seeing someone we recognize as being a transgender person just out there, living their lives, can be remarkably reassuring to other trans folks.

I had that experience in a department store, where a mom that knew me from
church came across me with their child in tow. The child is trans, it turns out. Mom was surprised to see me, and I reassured her that I was just shopping, and yes, I look like this all the time not just at church!  She introduced me to her child, who had the biggest smile,happy to meet me and see that yes, there are others, and yes, we lead regular lives.

Just being out helps others. Every day is a Day of Visibility.


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[Allison S]

Aw that's sweet. I don't know but apparently guys think I need to turn to Jesus or they want to pray for me.
I mean I'm not really out and presenting fully though.
It'd be nice to inspire others. As of right now it seems people think I need religion?

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[SailorMars1994]

Well, if my existence was enough for her to find the strength inside herself then yay