Keeping it in the family......

• Posted by Julie Hawkwood June 1, 2012 2,627 views
  click to rate

  ((As always.... this is probably quite self-indulgent, for which I apologise, but I get to the point eventually))

   

  It was SOOOO nice to meet everyone who attended the Ooop North Drab Drink. It was also great that some WAGs (wives and girlfriends) came along too. It was a lovely atmosphere, almost like a family event. We lucked out with the venue and had a nice corner near the entrance all to ourselves. We talked freely and probably loudly about our dressing super powers. Who knows what people overheard and so what?

   

  The night kind of reminded me of when I first came out seventeen years ago and my first foray in the outside world. My first night out dressed was in London staying with a tranny I had chatted with online for ages. Me and my wife stayed over with her and her wife and we had a night frocked at the fabulous Way Out Club. It was nice to meet another tranny and ‘her’ wife, two couples out for a night - perfectly normal, except for the husbands in dresses. But meeting another ‘normal’ couple gave the whole tranny thing an air of acceptance and normality, acceptance in my own head which was important. We ARE normal, special people.

   

  From there, I tried the Northern Concord. I arrived at the venue with my drag in a bag. I was warmly welcomed by ‘Mary the Legs’ and shown the dressing room. Mary is still there, ageless, still giving a warm welcome to all who attend. I remember Mary asking me ‘How long did it take you to get here?’, about 30 years I replied sheepishly. And the Concord, now Manchester Concord, is still going. Its still full of friendly ‘normal’ special people. Sure, its not easy (for me anyway) to enter any room full of strangers and feel at ease but its easy to feel at ease there amongst kindred spirits.

   

  So.... the drab drink the other night? It was amazing meeting people I’ve seen on Transtastic and it was awesome that some Transtastic WAGs came along. Sometimes being a tranny can feel deviant, feel awful, cause depression and despair. Being a tranny can feel seedy and looking at some tranny sites can appear disgusting, perverted and even sick. It was lovely to be reminded how normal we are, how warm human beings can be, how friendships can develop with people who have only just met. It felt like family. I feel humbled yet invigorated after meeting you. I have a skip in my step and a song in my heart. We are wonderful people, yes we wear clothes that we like, but we have a sorority that is special and dignified.

   

  Love always,

   

  Jules xxxx