I've written repetitively in this Blog at how differently people treat me when I am Louise. But without being in my company and experiencing how I am treated has little impact, it's somewhat like the quote "If a tree falls in the forest and no one is there, does it make a noise" sure it does, but there's no one around to appreciate the sound.
This was what transpierced yesterday. I've mentioned I belong to a few social society's, Epicurean, Chamber of Commerce, SJN group, a wine tasting group and a couple others, all are HIGHLY respectable somewhat rigidly straight types and we're talking about an upper middle class and higher level of people, lawyers, doctors, Collage professors, business people all of which have to present a higher standard of lifestyle. In other words, they won't drink from the same bottle, but will drink the same bottle of wine with a glass.
Since it had been a month since I had my nails done, I called to make an appointment as I finished with my makeup, I didn't know how long it would take me so I gave myself an extra 2 hours so they might be able to fit me in. The receptionist said, your nail tech will be busy but if you come right over we'll have someone take care of you. I stopped in and my regular girl said I need 5 minuets, so I sat at the waiting area. There were 4 younger women from about 30-50 years old, the oldest one knew me, but I was challenged, I never remember people I don't see at least 20 times or so. She started a conversation with me and the other 3 lady's joined in the conversation with polite questions the routine one's, how long have you dressed, do you do your own makeup, are you married and so on. What's interesting is when there is one person who knows me better than the others, she or they will become like a promoter by telling what they know about me or reinforcing everything I say. It's really interesting at how proud a person is when they can add some information about me to the conversation.
My second venue was to go to Brigantine for a Mixer with business people. I couldn't stay more than an hour because I had made arrangements to meet my wife at a restaurant for a wine tasting dinner. As I started to mingle with the crowd one lady asked me if I was going to the next class reunion, we discussed a few of the options and her lady friend stopped back to the bar and I was introduced, of course the lady who knew me give the other one a brief biography about me.
From there I stopped by a table with 5-6 women, and again there were 2 lady's who knew me and introduced me to the others. One of the acquaintances and I were making small talk and I mentioned I might need surgery and I was wearing "Spanks" to help control my figure. She was (to be polite) a VERY big lady. She said "I bought one of those and spent about 30 minuets trying to get it on, I threw it in the trash", it was funny. I told her I went to the thrift shop in my area and there were 4 corsets size 3XXX that might fit her, she said I LOVE corsets and said she was going over to see if they would work for her, I find that pretty ironic to say the least.
From there I made a beeline to the restaurant my wife was at, about 10 miles away. I called and she said it was filling up and she saved a seat at the head of one of the tables for me. As I walked in I saw other people from previous wine tastings, the wives' are fine with me, but the two husbands a father and son, who are about 6'2 and 250 lbs. are scared I'm contagious and never acknowledge me, they were waiting to be seated but they were late and had to sit alone in another area, FU*K them.
So I take my seat and because I'm a little different I introduce myself to the people close to us, there were 6 people within close conversation range and I wanted them to feel comfortable, many people don't know how to react so I feel I need to break the ice with a humorous comment like introducing my wife as my mother, that pisses her off, but everyone gets a laugh out of it, she's a real sport and goes along with the comment. Again there was one couple who had met me when the event was taking place about 2 years ago, for some reason it was stopped but now it's on again.
As the night went on it seemed as if I was the focus of attention, everyone asked us about our lives, time we've been together, kids and how and why I started to dress.
The whole thing is ironic when you think about what I do. I think possibly 5 years ago is when CD/TG was just becoming something that was developing a little popularity, but before that it was like you were evil a sinner a pervert or child molester, remember I've been out the last 20 years, I had to break a lot of barriers in my community. But now I feel as if I'm a celebrity, people want others to know they know me, they're proud to be in my company. Sure I realize that I and other CD's are an anomaly but people are starting to become more comfortable and accepting.
For me like many other CD's, I was terrified if someone found out I liked to wear women's clothes, but people have made me feel so welcome that it seems they encourage me to be myself and that's the irony, because 5 years ago, most people had difficulty accepting us.
