Allyson Robinson: Holding My Hand And Watching My Back
by: Autumn Sandeen
Fri Oct 30, 2009 at 16:30:00 PM EDT
http://www.pamshouseblend.com/diary/13850/allyson-robinson-holding-my-hand-and-watching-my-backThis is a guest post by Allyson Robinson. She is the sometime writer of the blog Crossing The T, and the Associate Director of Diversity at the Human Rights Campaign (HRC).
By Allyson Robinson
In remarks delivered at the White House reception marking his signature of the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act, President Obama said, "No one in America should ever be afraid to walk down the street holding the hand of the person they love. No one in America should be forced to look over their shoulder because of who they are." As corny as it sounds, it felt a little like the President was holding my hand or watching my back when he said those words.
Allyson RobinsonMy wife Danyelle and I have been married for 15 years and for most of that time, we were that stereotypically sappy couple everyone hates. If we were in arm's reach of each other, we were holding hands. If more than 15 minutes had passed since we'd kissed last, we kissed, and we didn't care who was watching. We were a romantic comedy's worth of winks, loving looks, and giggles. But all that was before I began my gender transition and started being perceived by the public as a woman.
