The Gender Tourist

Hi everyone. I'm sorry I haven't written anything in a while. It's probably because in addition to my usual brand of busy, I have also discovered Twitter, and the online community centered around lists like  #girlslikeus, #thisistrans, and #transisbeautiful. Whereas my trans world was centered around home and the places I have visited while coming out, now I am part of a global phenomenon, and I have friends everywhere in addition to the local people I get to see every Tuesday. I have been spending so much time connecting, communicating, and learning from peers all over the world; and forming a bunch of online friendships which feel every bit as valid as in-person friendships do. In fact these online connections feel possibly even more personal than face to face relationships though, because we all talk about things that I know I might hold back on if I had to say it to someones face.

Prose of Polish passed; The chemical stench assaults her nose and makes her dizzy. It burns her eyes - Crimson flows into cotton and drips like the blood of her spirit washed into the wastebasket as it stains her fingers She does not cry chemical tears though -  these tears are real as hope disappears from fingertips Tomorrow she goes to work in the world of non-believers in the world of hate and judgement born of ignorance - But She IS real - is still here but hides to survive to earn her living, to maintain healthcare access It's no small sacrifice to shed symbolic blood to exist stealthily another day concealed - within business casual and false bravado It's a bigger sacrifice of spirit - though the tears have dried on the outside at least Her inner strength is fierce; and real. Allie Rae Hampton 8-17  (rev 1-26-19)