Someone made fun of you lately?

[sherri]

before I came out ... I would redicule people ... to cover my masculinity

I don't know what this means?

"You know," I say, "It's too bad you feel so uncomfortable about yourselves that you have to ridicule me like that.

My guess is that the snappy comebacks that sound so good to us rarely have the intended effect, especially the ones that impeach the listener. And honestly, I personally don't believe that's usually the underlying stimulus behind this sort of scenario. I think it's more to do with people fearing what they don't understand, and using derision as a coping mechanism when they encounter what they perceive as aberrant behavior. It's easier than trying to understand.

I've wondered if some of the acceptance I've encountered dressed isn't due somewhat to having the balls to walk out fully dressed?

If it's okay with you, I would substitute the word "courage" for "balls", but yeah, you're absolutely right. People have made such comments to me numerous times, and surprisingly, more often than not it comes from a gracious, sweet spirited young person. Which always lifts my spirits and gives me hope.