Community Conversation => Transitioning => Real-Life Experience => Topic started by: Ms Bev on September 05, 2007, 08:50:10 PM Return to Full Version
Title: Just another Sunday service
Post by: Ms Bev on September 05, 2007, 08:50:10 PM
Post by: Ms Bev on September 05, 2007, 08:50:10 PM
I went back to church last Sunday for the first time in over half a year. A number of people already knew that I was now Beverly....I've run into them here and there, but it was a big deal to me, going back for all eyes to see. Marcy could not be happier. We sat up front, as always, greeted the people around us. It was Communion Sunday, and the only thing I played down, were my shoes. I was dressed for work after the service, but instead of the women's black leather flats and nylon knee highs, I wore women's black sneakers, just as many (other) women at work do anyway, for comfort. The service was nice, I found I've lost my low baritone range, and find it a breeze to sing the hymns in alto, hitting notes I never could before.
No one said anything about my "different" appearance. A couple of people seemed to look, like "I wonder who the woman is with Marcy, and where's Mike?" I could certainly be wrong about that, as I was a little anxious anyway. The minister placed the bread in my hand, blessed it, didn't even blink, same with the juice with the assistant.
A lady friend who hadn't seen me for a while swatted my arm with her bulletin to get my attention, so she could give me a smile, and say hi......an older lady....just happy to see me back in church.
In the back of the church, Marcy stopped to talk to a few people from her bible study, then introduced me to two women, one, the sister of a friend in her study. They're an older lesbian couple who attend services and sit in the back row. Marcy said to them, "this is my husband...also known as Beverly". It was only a momentary pause before they both understood, and shook my hand, gave me a sincere smile and hello.
What?? What just happened?? Marcy simply proclaimed for anyone within hearing (a LOT of people) that I was Beverly, her husband.
No alarms went off, a hush did not fall over the crowd, all eyes were not on me. Just another Sunday service.
I drove to work, replaying the experience. Marcy has amazed me on more than one occasion, and I told her before "you are an amazing woman".
She said to me later, if they can't accept you the way you are, the way you should be, then we don't need to be there. We'll find a more open-minded church.
But no, I don't think that's going to happen. Since then, she was at her bible study today, and nothing about me was mentioned, nothing different.
So........I worried about this for a long time, and nothing happened. Like many things in my life I've worried about, to find that nothing happened.
Bev
No one said anything about my "different" appearance. A couple of people seemed to look, like "I wonder who the woman is with Marcy, and where's Mike?" I could certainly be wrong about that, as I was a little anxious anyway. The minister placed the bread in my hand, blessed it, didn't even blink, same with the juice with the assistant.
A lady friend who hadn't seen me for a while swatted my arm with her bulletin to get my attention, so she could give me a smile, and say hi......an older lady....just happy to see me back in church.
In the back of the church, Marcy stopped to talk to a few people from her bible study, then introduced me to two women, one, the sister of a friend in her study. They're an older lesbian couple who attend services and sit in the back row. Marcy said to them, "this is my husband...also known as Beverly". It was only a momentary pause before they both understood, and shook my hand, gave me a sincere smile and hello.
What?? What just happened?? Marcy simply proclaimed for anyone within hearing (a LOT of people) that I was Beverly, her husband.
No alarms went off, a hush did not fall over the crowd, all eyes were not on me. Just another Sunday service.
I drove to work, replaying the experience. Marcy has amazed me on more than one occasion, and I told her before "you are an amazing woman".
She said to me later, if they can't accept you the way you are, the way you should be, then we don't need to be there. We'll find a more open-minded church.
But no, I don't think that's going to happen. Since then, she was at her bible study today, and nothing about me was mentioned, nothing different.
So........I worried about this for a long time, and nothing happened. Like many things in my life I've worried about, to find that nothing happened.
Bev
Title: Re: Just another Sunday service
Post by: Diane on September 05, 2007, 09:16:25 PM
Post by: Diane on September 05, 2007, 09:16:25 PM
Not trying to get too personal, what religion are you ? In my personal experience i am despised by most religions. It sounds like you got a good church. Stick to it because a good church is very hard to find.
Title: Re: Just another Sunday service
Post by: Ms Bev on September 05, 2007, 09:22:28 PM
Post by: Ms Bev on September 05, 2007, 09:22:28 PM
Quote from: Diane on September 05, 2007, 09:16:25 PM
Not trying to get too personal, what religion are you ? In my personal experience i am despised by most religions. It sounds like you got a good church. Stick to it because a good church is very hard to find.
I'm Christian....Protestant. I attend a United Methodist Church. I hope you find a good church home.
Bev