I just wanted to share this with you girls.
I am a full time student and I attend the classes in butch mode. Well this past week I went to speech class as me for my final speech, it was an "informative/visual aide speech". Most times I try to keep the two identities separate, less confusion for people I run into. I do plan to go full time soon.
I didn't tell anyone about this, I did mention to the instructor I would be a few minutes late and since I was the first to speak that day this would give everyone time to get to class and for her to make some announcements.
She did not mention me by my butch name, she introduced me as Sandra. When I got up to the front and turned around there were some giggles and snickers, until I began my speech. I mentioned what I am, how this is not a choice, some history about myself and TG and how things get misinterpreted. The class was very quite during the speech. I answered a couple of questions and after class several people came up and congratulated me on my speech and some shared about someone they knew to be gay; I did let them know that we are not all gay and asked them in our case what is gay.
The instructor stated that I could come to class for the remainder of the semester as Sandra and yes I am going as me. She stated that I could have started at the very beginning as me and would not thought much about it. I wonder if the people around here are more incline to let us be ourselves?
I think people will let us be ourselves as long as we are upfront about who we are. I did get the bathroom question and I explained that I try and go where I know it's okay to go and in the case I just have to go I go to the ladies room. I did explain about the safety concerns and which would be safer for me to go in.
I had a good experience and I know there will be more questions.
HUGS Sandra