In 1977, it was not safe to express one's transgendered nature in any area. This possibly was especially true in a southern city such as Charlotte, NC.Margaret Sometime that year, I began seeing a transgendered person around the city. I believe she was not able to afford an automobile.
<>I'm not certain how we came to learn her name, but she apparently became rather well known around town. To be totally honest, she also didn't pass very well. One afternoon, my spouse and I were in a restaurant and who walked in but Margaret. When the waitress served us, she said "well, I'd better go see what 'it' wants."
I was extremely closeted in 1977. Should that happen now, I would seize the moment and engage in a little 'outreach' to educate someone on human rights, human dignity, and accepting others as the individuals they are. I find it unimaginable that a human being would be referred to as 'it'.My friend, Wendy and I were talking about Margaret once. I think the realization came to both of us in the same instant. Margaret was the one who had the courage to live in her chosen gender role "24/7". She was the one with the courage to go anywhere she wished. She was the one who had the strength of character to follow heart and to be true to her soul. We were the ones who spent Saturday evenings mostly behind closed doors. I think we both began to think of who had the real courage and conviction.
"Freedom isn't free". "Freedom requires courage and sacrifice." In some cases, a person is strong enough to live their life without the realization they are even being courageous. I think this was the case with Margaret.
Harrassment against transgendered men and woman continues today. The recent murder of Gwen Araujo is one such example.
It is only fitting the Transgender Day of Remembrance, memorializing those who have died as a result of violence against the transgendered, was observed in a number of cities around the world this past November. The event was begun in memory of Rita Hester who was murdered in November, 1998. Unfortunately, she was not the last.
This piece originally added January 9, 2000.
Updated December 2005