So first, I'm not sure if this post belongs here, in Transitioning, or...where, haha. Anyhow, I just wanted to share a quick story that's kept a smile on my face for a few days.
My friends' band/ex bandmate came up from Brooklyn to play a show Thursday night. I haven't seen them (or most of that group of friends) since the last time they played nearby in March. I posted about this one a while ago- I was only semi-out, and it was the first time meeting with friends who didn't know I was trans. So the big difference this time around was they knew about my transition, but little else.
When I got there, only two people recognized me instantly- a friend I've seen regularly over the past year, and my ex-roommate. Everyone else, whether they knew to expect me or not, took a moment for it to click! There was even one friend (who we used to identify as my twin) who didn't recognize me at all, and extended his hand to introduce himself. So, of course, I did. And when I did, he literally jumped back in surprise, and shouted "whoa! Awesome! How's it going?" I laughed, because it couldn't have been a better reaction! We had not seen each other in about four years, so I'm sure there was a lot he wasn't expecting.
My ex-bandmate took a second to recognize me too, and his reaction was also funny, if not more casual. "This is nice, these are great, this is all awesome!" Only classy terms. And the rest of the night was peppered with people I knew coming up, making polite, general inquiries, and then just catching up, joking around, and dancing. A return to normality.
I'm so thankful for how great my friends, roommates, and family have all been. The people I interact with every day are so casual about my transition, and it's been something that's helped immensely to build my confidence. I used to have that degree of doubt that would weigh me down, that transitioning wasn't the right step, and this has been completely dissolved. But some of the moments that have stuck out the most for me are those like Thursday night. It's the same supportive demeanor, but when it comes from those who I haven't seen for months, the reactions give my smile an extra boost.
Despite the number of people I kept company with, social activity always felt like such a struggle, and I'd feel like I didn't fit in. Now, more than ever, it feels like I can laugh, have fun, and feel accepted.
