5 Guys Burgers.

[docrobbysherry]

Consider "randomness" when u go out dressed alone! If u go out dressed to uncontrolled venues, consider what COULD happen!

Going shopping at Macy's during the day? Or, to lunch at McD's in the city? What's the worst that can happen? You're not likely to have issues other than a fisheye or hear a chuckle at those places. (Be careful about which restroom u use at McD's!)

Heading out for dinner in the country? A club, bar, or tavern at nite? Consider what COULD happen. The type of people who mite be there! Then, walking back to your car late at nite.

Personally, I've been out late dressed alone. But, only at Disneyland, a dance at a big hotel, and often out WITH OTHER GIRLS! Disneyland and the dance were controlled enviornments. No worries about being me being accosted by unsavory characters as I was in Vegas late at nite! And, I feel safe when I'm with other girls.

If you're the type that welcomes danger and the unexpected, then go ahead. For me, I'm NOT interested in going out and having unpleasant or dangerous encounters. I dress to have fun, NOT to get stressed out and nervous about what mite happen next!

Think of the possibility of yourself being in the wrong place at the wrong time BEFORE u go out alone!

[Marleena]

Wow that is a scary situation Tracii! No doubt you can handle yourself but getting the police involved could go wrong. I fear the police aren't as a tolerant of TG people as they'd like you to believe. It's also nice to see that husband/wife team come to your aid. It gives one hope that there are some good people out there.

[monalisa]

Too bad you weren't a 10th degree black belt holder

[Tracii G]

Tracii, I am a bit surprised that happened her in the city where we live, of course I know it can happen anywhere. But glad it turned out ok. Huggzz

Yes Jean our town is a great place to be and most are very tolerant of the TG community.
Its a pretty big town with a good sized TG population heck even a gay Mayor!
These guys were from Beattyville and I know that area well my guess they were here for the basketball tournament.
Just best to stay aware of things around you.
Jean it was 5 guys out towards Hamburg.I have been to the Orange Leaf next door dozens of times.
This was an isolated incident with some out of towners.LOL

Too bad you weren't a 10th degree black belt holder

No just got as high as first brown which is almost a black belt but the color of the belt doesn't mean all that much.
When I was involved as a kid you only had one belt test a year nowadays they pump out black belts willy nilly at some schools.
My teacher Grandmaster Sin Kwang The' is a 14th degree black belt and was the youngest Grandmaster in 1500 years.
A very good teacher and a nice person too.

[Tara D. Rose]

Hi Tracii, I hate to hear that this happened to you too, I guess we all feel the same way. This story does teach us that we can all become a target almost anywhere. it's funny but I want to say what I would have done, but I won't. you know the old saying, "I'd like to see them do ME like that" kind of thing. I'm just glad everything came out well for you.

Tara

[Tracii G]

Thanks Tara.
It was more a PSA than anything

[AllyCDTV]

Tracii, glad to hear things got resolved in the restaurant but sometimes they don't. Did you have someone keep an eye on you as you walked to your car? I would have been concerned that these morons might be waiting in the parking lot or following you in your car.

[flatlander_48]

You know, take a moment to think about this event from a bit different perspective...

The cretins involved here thought it was perfectly acceptable to harass someone of a sexual minority. They have been told, in effect, that we shouldn't exist and evidently they are OK with that. We are fair game and the treatment we receive reflects our status. So, where does this come from? Talk radio? Fundamentalist Christians? Conservative politicians? All of the above? I don't know, frankly. But, this notion should be at least as troubling as the incident itself.

[Angela Campbell]

anyway.....I like 5 guys burgers and hot dogs but they do not cook the frys long enough and they are wimpy and very greasy...yuchhhhh.

[Kalista Jameson]

You know, take a moment to think about this event from a bit different perspective...

The cretins involved here thought it was perfectly acceptable to harass someone of a sexual minority. They have been told, in effect, that we shouldn't exist and evidently they are OK with that. We are fair game and the treatment we receive reflects our status. So, where does this come from? Talk radio? Fundamentalist Christians? Conservative politicians? All of the above? I don't know, frankly. But, this notion should be at least as troubling as the incident itself.

I'd have to say no to those examples. I myself am a conservative, Christian who listens to a lot of Rush, Medved, et al and in the last two decades of doing so have not seen these types of dehumanizing values embraced or encouraged by anyone in the conservative camp, though many exploit others into believing so. I have many people in my circle with the same political views as me who would find the type of behavior exhibited by those men to be horrible and cringe every time those types get associated with the political right wing. As with everything every human being faces, sterotypes abound.

Those men, regardless of what they claim to be, speak only for themselves. The hate they promote comes from elsewhere. It's the human factor coming into play. Men of these types are self serving in their efforts to make themselves out superior. Nothing to do with opposing political or faith matters from my perspective.

Cheers,

Kalista

[Lady Panda]

Tracii,
I am so glad you are Ok..and safe.

One thing I don't think anyone remembers the old adage ...the one that usually starts the bashing...Is the one that secretly wants to be the one that is doing the activity that they are making fun of....

I think the leader secretly wants to dresss in public ....and doesnt have the b***s to go out dressed and wouldn't look half as good.

Just saying...

Take care of you.

[Lorileah]

I know it seems like I am over moderating this thread but please do not post things that advocate a violent response to the situation. The forum does not condone violence and even though Tracii was placed in a situation that no one should be in and the threat of violence was there, the outcome was good. We should not imply that that kind of action by someone else should be met with similar violence.

Any posts from here on that advocate a violent response will be deleted and not edited. Thanks

And Tracii, I am happy it all worked out OK. I will disagree with Marleena on this and say that the police WERE the correct response. In most states there are hate crime laws. And even if the personal feelings of the police are against the TG community, they are sworn to protect ALL citizens.

Addendum: Don't start dissing any other group here either regardless of political leanings or religion...Got it????

[Annaliese]

Great positive story, the fact that you had the burger guy on your side and the Marine and his wife. Yes three A??? holes. Yes we always have to keep an eye out, this give me hope.

[Tracii G]

I always try to defuse the situation no matter what mode I'm presenting.
One thing martial arts will teach you is to stay calm don't react unless you have to.
I did see them drive off so I wasn't worried.
It has nothing to do with talk radio I'm sure just bad upbringing more than anything.
Lets leave political views out of it so the mods don't shut down the thread.
Some of this info might help some sisters of ours that are just starting out.

[Leah Lynn]

I used to teach ladies' self defense classes. Rule #1; ALWAYS be aware of your surroundings. Trouble rarely comes alone. Still teach Ladies' CCW classes. Rule#1; Condition One; be aware of your surroundings. You done good and kudos to all that stood up for you.

Glad you're safe, girl

Leah

[lingerieLiz]

It doesn't really mater guy or girl or how observent you are it can happen to anyone. I watched one night as some guys were checking out a girl at a club. One started harrasing her about going out with him ignoring her lack of interest. Eventually I interceded, I have a habit of doing that, and he turned his attention to me which was a mistake on his part.

[flatlander_48]

Addendum: Don't start dissing any other group here either regardless of political leanings or religion...Got it????

There are 2 things that happen. Conditioning is one. Legitimization is the other. If the conditioning is strong enough, it works to shape our opinions. However, legitimization removes the barriers that work to limit our actions. This is an important part as it can lead us to do something that we wouldn't otherwise.

Every group has a fringe that has taken the beliefs of that group to the edge. They still claim to be aligned with the group in some tenuous fashion, but what they believe is far removed from the mainstream for that group. In this context, you would have to wonder about the things that Rev. Fred Phelps or Michael Savage, for example, say in public. Many believe that seeing violence on TV, in movies and in video games can open the door for violent behavior on a personal level. Similarly, is it possible that inflammatory rhetoric can legitimize aggressive behavior?

From the descriptions here, it sounds like the perpetrators of this incident are not leaders of western critical thought. What they did was bullying behavior, but with a twist in that it was specifically directed at a sexual minority. Somewhere that linkage was made that this behavior was OK.

Note: I was not attempting to disparage anyone with either message. On the other hand, if these and other acts were just random B/S, we wouldn't have the need to define and track hate crimes.

[Stephanie Miller]

Even among ourselves it starts to raise its head. Just like the "bubbas" in Tracies post that resorted to demeaning name calling..... we have people here on this site that feel a need to pigeon hole others. I agree with Lorileah. It needs to stop!

flatlander_48 & Badtranny .. Call it what you want "Conditioning or Legitimization" it's still taking the choice, or direction, of another person that differs from your own and putting it on public spectacle in a demeaning way. It's still just plain wrong.

I too am very conservative christian, I too have my political view points as well as my bias's. My radio is on every day. Doesn't make me any less of a person - any more than your leanings or persuasions (no matter how mainstream or fringe they may be) makes you.
Yes I am out to my family, friends and don't see where that matters one iota. Are you? Does this make one a better or worse person?

My grandmother always told me "If you can't say something nice.. don't say anything at all"
And now I went and blew it

[BillieAnneJean]

I carefully control where I go and when I go there. I also put a lot of effort in to my appearance. Traci obviously does also. I have had snickers or knowing looks before. One day I will be confronted with something like this. I will stand and yell in my best girls voice: "Ladies and Gentlemen. These guys want to assualt me. May we please take a vote? How many would like to see (insert number here) brave guys beat up one poor soul? Those in favor please raise your hands." I would make it LOUD. I bet the bullies loose the vote.
Unless a guy has tried crossdressing, he will have no idea how much fun it is.
This is a wonderful site and I would like to thank whomever hosts it and all the ladies who provide kind words and help. Thank you!
Billie

[Jocee]

Sorry this happened to you, but also encouraged that others stood with you....

[Tracii G]

It was just one of those things that happen in life and you have to be ready to deal with it.

[NV Susan]

Tracii, so glad this came out well for you. Your so right on about knowing your surroundings and being aware.

Guess this world will always have "knuckle draggers" walking around...

[Rachel Morley]

The lady 2 tables over said you boys need to leave she wasn't bothering you. My husband is behind you do you want him to show the way out the hard way? Her Husband was standing behind them at that point in his Marine BDU's. Apparently she called his cell when he was in the bathroom and told him what was going on. I'm sure glad she did.

First off, I am so glad you are ok. Gosh me too! That was so lucky that the Marine and his wife were there! Looks like the server also had your back and would have called the police but as you said "When you get in a knock down drag out fight no matter who started it all parties end up in jail until they sort it all out and I sure didn't want that." ... that would have been the worst. I can only imagine how that would have been. Anyway, I am glad that this event hasn't stopped you from going out and exercising your legal rights to do what you want to do in a free country.

What happened to Tracii is the exception, not the rule. But like any other woman out there, being a potential victim of violence is always possible...but still the exception. Being a victim of harassment is also possible...yet still the exception thank goodness. Tracii's cautionary tale is for those of us who enjoy the mainstream like any other woman...like any other person out there. Whether part time in presentation or full time, we all get read by a few. It comes with the territory. Yet it's no reason to fear being out amongst others. Just be aware of what's going on around you.

I want to also reiterate what Sara has said. It's great advice that we should all have in the fore front of our minds when we go to mainstream places, CD or TS, it doesn't matter we're all in the same boat together in these types of situations.

[crystalbath]

Damn, i hate people that close minded :@ On the plus side, well done to standing your ground and to everyone else helping you out

[sandra-leigh]

What happened to Tracii is the exception, not the rule.

To emphasize the point that excrement happens:

Getting in a car accident on any one journey is the exception rather than the rule. And defensive driving can help greatly in reducing accidents. But people drive a lot, and idiots and people not being careful are all over the place -- sufficiently so that car accidents are one of the major causes of significant injuries.

Likewise, go out dressed enough and eventually problems will probably show up.