Visibility 2026

 It's 30 years since I stopped trying to suppress my trans nature and embraced it. Since then I have lived as much as I can as the woman I feel I am, notably by dressing as one every day. 

That's not the same as presenting as fully female every day, though, what with my concerns about harassment as well as issues with my skin that finds makeup difficult to bear for extended periods. Outdoors I live in a twilight zone, therefore: I am dressed as a woman but not treated as a woman. It's not how I would have wanted things to be but that, I'm afraid, reflects most of life. At the moment, I can't afford the hassle of being outed in this locality so I don't go out presenting fully female here, even if a look at my shoes or leggings or tops would suggest a less than masculine wardrobe. My fingernails, too, are long and trim. No bullet bra for me, but I don't reduce my assets either. 

In that regard I guess I'm like most of us: safety - social as well as physical - is paramount. The vast majority of trans people are not 'out' or known to be trans mainly for this very reason. Even those who have transitioned and would like simply to be treated as their right gender at last, without reference to all that transitioning they had to do, return to living in stealth. 

On this Transgender Day of Visibility it would be nice to feel that I could go about my business and be called Sue by everyone or be addressed as Madam. But I'm not there yet. Nor is society.

So we do what we can, whether it's supporting the trans community generally, fighting for rights and against their suppressors, helping and encouraging and consoling and advising one another, and the like. Hell, one can even write a blog. 

Wishing you all a good Trans Day of Visibility and an improved future for all of us.

Sue x