I& #39;ve been posting a lot about anti-trans stuff lately, which can be a huge bummer for many reasons, partly for the way it overshadows wonderful moments of trans people just being treated like anyone else. So, I have a nice memory for you this morning... (thread)

A few years ago, my friend @rpbp was at GW Hospital (she& #39;s recovered nicely now), and I went to visit most days during my lunch break. The entrance is next to the Metro and GW campus, so it& #39;s not unusual to see folks selling merch or generally hanging out.

Maybe the second or third day I went to visit her, I noticed five or six older gentlemen had a chess table set up and were playing each other, smoking, having a good time. And I love playing chess, so...

The next day I went, I stopped to watch a game.

When they finished, one of the older gentleman pointed his finger at me and said, "You want next?"

"Sure!"

It was a solid game and I hung in there through most of it, but he eventually got the upper-hand and kicked my ass. And then they started gently teasing my playing style like good friends would. https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="😂" title="Gesicht mit Freudentränen" aria-label="Emoji: Gesicht mit Freudentränen">

But here& #39;s what I really loved about playing with them...

I loved that these gentlemen were friends and were immediately affirming. I introduced myself, and without being asked, they used she/her pronouns.

When I came the next day to play, one said: "She& #39;s back!"

And to his friend: "Hey, this lady& #39;s good. You should play her."

It was really lovely to be in the company of a group of older men who were effortlessly welcoming. No special treatment. No pandering. Just being treated like any other person. These kind of interactions are unexpectedly healing.

Anyway, have a great week, folks! https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="☀️" title="Sonne mit Strahlen" aria-label="Emoji: Sonne mit Strahlen">