Today I was actually clocked for the first time in about a year. I was in the train station between the main school I teach at and my apartment. I decided to buy a drink at the convenience store and I noticed a woman in there that I've seen on occasion. I always notice her because she's a smart dresser and she is taller than a lot of the women here.
Anyway, I was standing in line and the way the store was laid out she and I were side by side in line. For some reason we both looked at each other. I noticed for the first time that she had an Adam's apple peaking just over her neck scarf and she glanced down and noticed my chest. Almost in unison she nodded toward my chest (my binder had slipped at little) and touched my neck to let her know her scarf had slipped. There was that mutual look of "hey, just so you know, you're showing". She tugged her scarf up and a rearranged my sweater and bag until I could get to a bathroom.
We both walked out at the same time and as she walked past me she leaned down and whispered "you're safe, handsome. Glad to see a friend." I told her "glad to know you, lovely." She winked and was on her way.
I haven't been clocked in so long and of course it would be a transwoman who spotted me. Ladies don't miss a thing, I tell ya. It was really comforting in an interesting way. We have two different languages and cultures and everything else, and we still had that rare (and funny) moment of human connection. She was really lovely though. If I was single and straight... Lol
