Yesterday, I attended a carnival in this rural, heavily conservative, community. In general, it was a pleasant outing. That was, I’m certain, at least partly because I dressed fairly conservatively myself.
I left at home all of my various Pride pins, my trans colors lanyard, etc. I wore a red wig, instead of my more flamboyant pink or purple ones. A couple of things struck me about that carnival, or more specifically, attendees.
First: As I was walking around taking in the sights, enjoying a funnel cake, I spotted a t-shirt that said “Shoot your local pedophile.” Given how we LGBT folks are currently being slandered as pedophiles by conservatives, that was more than a little disturbing.
Second: A short while later, I noticed a (barely) concealed 9mm pistol in the waistband of another attendee. He had an ordinary shirt pulled down over the gun, but it was still very obvious.
To say that the juxtaposition of those two events was disturbing would be a gross understatement. It certainly made me very glad that I didn’t openly identify myself in any way as trans or LGBT.
Nothing happened, but I was very careful to be on my best (hopefully) passable behavior. The journey continues.
An Aging Trans Woman 
I don’t know what to say. On the one hand, I think seeing a firearm in someone’s waistband is disturbing and would disturb more people than not, wondering why a person thinks they might want that at a carnival. But having everything else to consider would be even tougher. I mean, while women have more to consider than men when leaving the house and traversing the public, some women have yet more to consider, as you do. sigh If only people could just behave and use their good manners.
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If I’m being honest, there’s a background level of fear that’s pretty much always present living as an LGBT person in a conservative rural US locale. Censoring myself to go into public is something I’m only just learning to do. Add to that being trans, and it’s multiplied. These particular events definitely pushed that to the foreground.
The carnival, BTW, was a fundraiser for the local volunteer fire department. It was kids’ rides, and the attendees were mostly parents and their kids. Why anyone needs a firearm there is indeed ludicrous to consider.
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Oh, yeah. I’d like to reblog this on Scottie’s, please.
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Sure. You don’t need to ask each time. The blog is public. When you see value, feel free to share it.
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Thank you! You told me that last time, I just want to be respectful and to check one more time. Thanks again! I hope your Saturday is bright, Janet!
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I’m actually having a good day today. Thanks for the good wishes. 💜
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Hi. This is their goal, making LGBTQ+ too worried and scared to be visible in public. It is rule by gang thug threat of violence. It is the definition of terrorism, the using of violence to create political change. I am sorry that happened and caused anxiety about your attendance. I think of how being open and celebrating our diversity as LGBTQ+ was only 5 or 6 years ago compared to now, especially in red states. Best wishes. Hugs. Scottie
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Thanks Scottie. You’re absolutely right, of course. Hugs
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