Be Openly Controversial

     This morning, when I got up, I remembered that I needed to go pay the utilities today.  It didn't matter.  I wanted to wear something pink and girly.  I put on a pair of pink jogging shorts and a pink tennis top.  I felt good, and I think I looked good.

    When I went to pay the bill, I took my purse since my shorts had no pockets.  I pulled into the parking lot and I was the only one there.  I got out of my pickup and started for the door.  I didn't even make it half-way to the door before two more cars pulled in.  I briefly thought about going back to my truck, but told myself it'd be alright and went inside.  Once inside, I found the young lady at the counter busy with a phone call.  As I waited, the other two drivers came in.  One was a male neighbor of mine whom I have never had an issue with.  The other was an older man who walks with a cane, and had a hard time getting around.  I wasn't worried much about him, either.  They took seats behind me.  Then a third man walked in.  He was even older than the man with the cane.  No cause for alarm there, either.  My twisted sense of humor was loving the situation!

    Finally, the phone call ended.  As the young lady turned her attention to me, she asked, "How are you today?"  As is often the case with me, the first thing to pop into my head is what flew out of my mouth.  "Openly controversial," I said.  She grinned a little grin, then told me the amount I needed to pay.  I paid and left.  No problems, no hassles.  This is how it should be!  Cis folks don't have to worry if they'll be harassed for living their lives; trans folks shouldn't have to worry about it, either.  But, we're not going to change the way it is by hiding ourselves away.

    Of course, we all need to be concerned with safety.  When has that not been the case?  With that said, you need to learn some form of self-defense.  Screaming will most likely only get you hurt worse, or killed.  You should learn some basic hand-to-hand combat, at the very least.  Almost everything can be used as a weapon; learn to recognize possible defensive uses of objects you encounter anywhere you go.  In many cases, the means are obvious.  With practice, you can train your brain to see the not-so-obvious.

    Remember that the best defense is a good offense.  But, if you're aware of the more obvious choices, you can bet that your opponent is also aware of them and ready to defend against them.  The less obvious, the better your chances of being victorious against an attacker.

    Obviously, I'm not advocating for wanton violence.  That would make the Trump Republicans right about us.  Nor will I ever be one of those fools who say, "Violence is never the answer."  Sometimes it's the only answer that works to solve the equation.  It's never appropriate to commit violence against someone who's peaceful.  But, it's also wrong to remain peaceful when someone is committing violence against you.

    At no time should you feel intimidated into silence, or forced to retreat from public life for living as authentically as you please.  In spite of what the far Right says, you have every bit as much right to exist in peace and happiness as the next person.  So, take whatever steps you believe to be necessary to insure your safety, then go and live your life freely... and dare to be openly controversial.