3/30/11 Getting School ID Card: Setting: School Library
Me: Hi, I'd like an ID card. Lady: Sure, do you have a copy of your schedule Me: (gives it to her) Lady, in a teasing way: You're Matthew?! (like I had accidentally given her my boyfriend's schedule or something) Me, smiling: Yep. Lady, blushing: OH, uh... well we've had some Michaels come through today, but no Matthews... Me: It's okay, for me this is a huge compliment. Thank you. :) Lady: Oh okay (smiles). Well I guess I need to check your ID too. Lady, checks my ID. Lady, to the student worker at the photo booth: Okay she's all ready. I checked her ID. [Flash] Totally girly photo of me immortalized along side by male name on an ID card.
4/8/11 Outed In Class Setting: Psychology Class
The teacher (who I am out to as trans, and refers to me as Madelyn in class) puts a special seating chart up on the overhead projector that has specific seats for us for the upcoming test. There on the screen is my boy name in bold letters. We each find our new seats, and from class I email the professor, "Hi. I'm just wondering if it's possible to use "Madelyn" instead of my legal name on the seating chart."
After class I see the teacher reading his email on his iPhone and then I hear this quiet gasp and sigh from him. He looks up, a little embarrassed, and says, "Yes. And I'm so sorry about that."
In the end it wasn't a big deal. Everyone was so interested in finding their own name on the list I don't think anyone even noticed or cared. But for a minute there I felt really insecure.
4/4/11 and 4/20/11 Coming Out to my Podiatrist Setting: Minor Toe Surgery
I've been seeing a podiatrist for a toe that's been giving me trouble for a long time. A few months back she went in and fixed the toenail that was giving me trouble, but during healing there were complications so she had to go in again. Since I've been in girl mode so much I knew that the next time she saw me I would be in girl mode, so after the surgery I came out to her and the nurse assistant. I explained that I was in transition and that the next time they saw me that I would likely come as "Madelyn" and that I wanted to let them know so they weren't surprised or caught off guard. The doctor was completely supportive and said that it was of course no problem and that she treats all of her patients. The nurse then came up to me after the doctor left the room and said that she wished me courage in my transition, and that she knows it's not an easy path.
I went back two weeks later for my follow up in girl mode. The doctor gave me a big smile and said how surprised she was at how nice I looked. She even teased me a little that she was jealous of my makeup. The exam went completely normal otherwise, and both she and her nurse (someone else) used correct pronouns (she, her, etc) during the visit without stumbling. The office staff also updated my chart, so that when they call me from the waiting room they do so as "Maddie". They were so kind, and I was very grateful.
4/23/11 "I think that's a man!" Setting: Washington State Ferry
This weekend we joined friends for a ferry ride. It was the first ferry ride ever for their ~1 year old son.
After having a nice trip over to Bainbridge Island and having some lunch we were standing in line for the ferry on the way back. And my wife overheard the following conversation that was held under a whisper:
Lady 1: I think that's a man up there. Lady 2: No. Are you sure? Lady 1: I'll bet you. How much?
The rest she couldn't hear, but I guess the one lady was quite sure she was right and they had a little discussion over it.
5/14/11 "Can I get you ladies anything to drink?" Setting: Patty's Eggnest (Breakfast Restaurant)
My sister drives down from Bellingham to look at a used car for sale down near our place. We decided to meet at a local place for breakfast before looking at the car. And, because the seller only knew me in boy mode, I decided to do boy mode when we met with him to check out the car (only the second time in the last two months!) So I really did try to just be a normal looking guy. As we're sitting there at our table waiting for the waiter to come over one of the servers stops by and checks in with us. "Can I get you ladies anything to drink?" Sigh, and smile.
5/31/11 "Madelyn quiets my concerns and fears" Setting: TXT message from my mom after a family weekend together (their first time seeing me since being full-time).
"It was so great to be together. I will forever treasure our one-on-one hot tub time. Being with Madelyn quiets my concerns and fears... you are a strong woman and you certainly have shown me that this is the beginning of greater things yet to come in your life."
11/20/11 "And who is your gynecologist?"
Setting: Visiting the walk-in clinic just up the street on a weekend to have a doctor look at a rash on my leg.
The doctor walks in and starts small talk, which goes on for a couple minutes. We talk about the nice antibacterial hand moisturizer he uses before examining each patient for example. Finally he looks over my chart.
Doctor: "Well Madelyn it looks like we've seen you before. Once for a broken toe, and one other time?" Me: "Yeah." Doctor: "Okay. I see we don't have your gynecologist listed here. Who is your women's doctor?" Me: "Uh. Well I've been seeing Dr. [so-and-so] for my trans-related care." Doctor (embarrassed, picking jaw up off floor): "You're transgender?" Me: "Yes. I started estrogen in April." Doctor: "Wow. I don't know if this is a compliment or not but I consider myself pretty perceptive and I... Uh, I just had no idea." Me: "I take it as a compliment. Thanks." The interaction was a bit awkward to be honest after that because he ended up asking me a lot of questions that weren't related to why I was seeing him. But I think he was just genuinely curious and hadn't had a chance to talk to a trans person before. In the end he was still very nice and told me the rash was nothing to worry about.