I read in a recent post, a question as to whether one should carry guy clothes to change into in case they were involved in an accident. I never understood this thinking. In an emergency, if you are able to change, would there be time, or even a place to change? Wouldn't it look strange to see a half naked guy quickly putting on clothes when a good Samaritan stops to see if they can help? And what about makeup?
Having retired from the fire service as a paramedic and an firefighter after a 26 year career, I think that I can safely say that this strategy will not work in most circumstances, and most of the time is not necessary. I would think that if you are going to worry about getting into such a predicament, your energy might be better spent thinking and rehearsing what you are going to say and how you would respond if such an event were to happen.
The following happened to me this past July, and I thought it might calm some fears regarding being seen in public, and what might happen on the odd chance that you are in an accident.
I had been wearing a denim skirt, an obviously women's top, breast forms, and large hoop earrings all evening since I got home from work, and I saw no need to change before I ran out tonight to take care of something. I did not have any makeup on to cover my beard shadow, nor was I wearing a wig, but my long, thinning hair was pulled back into a pony tail. *Into the van and off I headed. *I was in town, the town where I had worked as a firefighter for 26 years, the town where I know all of the firefighters and most of the cops, The town where I still live and work, and know countless people. But none of them know about my crossdressing. *The van that I was driving has IAFF stickers on the windshield and rear window. *But I had been on these small excursions numerous times before with no problems.
I stopped at a traffic light, the one that is across the street from the police station, and half a block from the fire station, with one car ahead of me. *When the light turned green, the car ahead of me proceeded through the intersection, and I followed. *Suddenly, out of the corner of my eye I saw headlights coming through the rain from my right, I hit my brakes and started to steer left, but it was too late. *The small, silver PT Cruiser hit me in the front right fender.
I put the car in park, set the parking brake and turned on the hazard lights, and got out while checking for traffic. *We were smack dab in the middle of one of the busiest intersections in town. *I walked around the front of my van to find an hysterical young girl in the driver's seat of the other car, and a younger boy in the passenger seat. She was crying, almost hyperventilating, but managed to blurt out, taking a gulp of air between ever second or third word, "I'm so sorry, this is my mother's car and I just got my license. *I don't know what to do. *Should I call my Mom?"
I reached into my pocket as I told her to calm down and pulled out my cell phone. *"Are either of you hurt?"
"No," came the response, followed by more tears and apologies.
"Call your Mom," I replied. * "I'll call the police."
After I told the dispatcher what had happened, the girl, starting to regain some of her composure, said that her phone had died, and asked to borrow mine. *As I handed her my phone, the tears started again, and I tried to reassure her that no one was hurt and the cars could be repaired. *As I started to turn to get back into my car, two ladies approached from opposite directions, both saying they had seen everything and asked if there was anything they could do. *I asked them to wait in their cars, and that as soon as the police got there, I would send them over to take statements, thanking these good Samaritans as they turned around and went to their cars.
As I sat there for what seemed to be an eternity, waiting for the police to arrive, I wondered which cop it would be, what their reaction to my attire would be, and how I should respond. *Looking back now, I'm surprised at how calm I was, debating if I should take out my forms, wondering how much of a beard shadow I had since I hadn't shaved since early this morning. *There was no getting around the fact that I was wearing a skirt, and my purple toenails could not be hidden in my pink flip flops.
When the cop walked up to my window, I was a bit relieved to see that it was a new guy that I did not know, and as far as I know, he did not know me. *He treated me with respect, never glancing twice at the way I was dressed, even when I got out of the car to look at the damage to make sure that the van could be driven. * After talking to the other driver and getting the info from my license and insurance card, he advised me that I would not be cited, that the other driver was at fault, and that I could leave. *No muss or fuss.
This all happened a few months ago, and so far, it appears that I’ve not been outed and none of this has made it to the fire department, and nothing else negative has developed. *My wife (who knows and is supportive) was out of town for the week, and after I told her about the incident on the phone, she said that she was quite apprehensive about me possibly being outed. But nothing else has happened.
Originally Posted by Stephenie S
