Compliments

I was out in Greenwich Village today, enjoying the mild weather. I usually get at least one compliment on what I am wearing. Today it it happens three times. I wore an aqua skirt, burgundy top and aqua fedora. A woman came up to me and said she liked the way I coordinated everything. Someone else said 'nice hat' when they walked by. A woman even complimented me on my painted toenails . I always say 'thank you' for their kind words. 

These compliments are nice in that I believe in people's honesty and the fact that I'm presenting trans people in a positive way. When anti-trans forces still believe that we are fakes I'm doing what I can to dispel that notion.    

A Seed Planted Regarding Gender Variance?

Last night I was reflecting on the time I hung out on MacDougal Street in Greenwich Village beginning in 1968. It was the time of the hippie-rock and roll and psychedelic culture. Folk music was still going but not like in the early 60s. I felt really comfortable here (didn't know why) and loved the vibes that I felt. Friday and Saturday nights would really buzzing. I didn't walk on MacDougal; I shuffled along because the street would be so packed.  

As I reflect I do remember a TGLBQ presence. I've always was drawn to people outside the norm so it was to my liking. On further thought, I wonder if the seed was planted about my gender variance. As I've said many times it was never evident to me until about ten years ago. I was a straight arrow so to speak and I viewed myself in this vein. Something always kept me coming here though.  All this happened a year before the famous Stonewall Riots. 

I still go to MacDougal Street. Many of my favorite places are gone. Gentrification has ground its teeth into the once avant-garde enclave, however there are still vestiges of 1968. Could those days have been the spawning of my transgender status that I enjoy today?