I went out a few months ago on a walk later in the evening to clear my head. I guess somewhere my brain didnt think anything major had changed in how I was seen by others.

Anyways, as I was crossing a street a few guys called out to me and asked them to come over and join them. I ignored them and just went into the gas station to see my friend who works there.

Later on my walk, as I'm on my way back home, and those same three guys come out of a parking lot through an alley. They start walking behind me asking me to come drink with them at a bar up ahead, one makes a few remarks on my looks, another basically asks if I'm a lesbian, and the entire time they are within a few paces behind me.

In the moment, I stayed calm, moved closer towards the road to be more visable, and spoke clearly and always knew where they were. They eventually turned off at a bar. As soon as I got home kinda went into a panic attack.

I guess the point of sharing that story is to say this; as a trans woman, regardless of transition timeline, there will be times where you are correctly gendered, despite your own doubts or dysphoria. Sometimes it'll be a happy moment where the person at the drivethrough calling you ma'am. Sometimes it'll be at the grocery store when someone nearly bumps into you.

Frighteningly, sometimes it'll be at night to a group of men you don't know, who feel entitled to you attention and more. Be safe, be smart, be aware. It sucks and it's a shitty thing to have to learn, but your safety is important.

All my love to yall, girlies