Whenever I see or hear the argument, “trans kids don’t exist,” I flash back to Oktoberfest 1999 when I was 10 years-old.
My dad and I were walking around while my mom and brother were off getting food or something. I was dressed in blue jeans, a Raiders athletics-style jacket, and had my ponytail stuffed into a Raiders baseball cap.
We stopped to look at a booth and the guy made a comment about my dad’s “son.” I felt seen and this buzzing warmth spread from my chest throughout my body.
…until my dad snapped back, “That’s my DAUGHTER.” He grabbed me by the arm, took my baseball cap off so my hair fell down, and dragged me away. I felt deflated. He was so angry with me and I couldn’t understand why.
I didn’t know what “trans” was in 1999, but I knew I wasn’t a “girl.”
Thanks for coming to another story time. Graham Linehan is going to die miserable and alone.
