Sightings "in the wild"

[moonshadow]

I think pretty much everywhere is most likely at least tolerant. I'm not saying you won't receive nasty looks and stares, but I do think as long as you're not being obnoxious or making trouble you will be physically safe.

I'd say you have the same odds of being physically harassed in a skirt as you would being mugged. I find that most Americans I meet do generally agree with the notion of personal freedom, even if it's a freedom they don't necessarily agree with. Again, as long as you're not coming of as a threat to them (the stereotypical prejudiced ones), then I think you'll be fine most anywhere....

And yes... eventually I do want to take a trip into the deep south... and yes, I'm going to take back roads.... and yes I will survive.

Two things to avoid when out and about in rural settings... pot farms and moonshine stills. You happen upon any of those... RUN LIKE HELL. Skirt or no skirt, if you don't know the people running the operation and they don't trust you... they are looking at hard time if you run your mouth to the cops... dead people don't talk!

Generally stay on the public ROW and avoid private property. Carry a change of "normal clothes" in the event of car trouble or other circumstance where you need to look normal again. Be friendly to people in public places.

By all means, patronize local mom and pop establishments, even if Hank Williams is playing in the background. You may be surprised as to how friendly some locals can be. Often times I've found many businesses in small backward communities are eager to demonstrate how progressive they are. But if they do give you a hard time, be a gentleman... respect them and politely LEAVE. Yes, state law may say that they are FORCED to serve you, however it's rude, and you may get your food spat in. Take the high road, be the "bigger man", turn the other cheek and walk away. Often times THOSE type of businesses/people are LOOKING for a confrontation. DON'T give them one!

Feel free to spend a little time trying to change minds, but use your judgement. If they are being VERY mean spirited, then it's probably a lost cause, and could lead to a physical confrontation. If they are just MILDLY prejudiced, but in your discussion they seem reasonable enough you might try and sway their opinion. Play up the notion of American freedom for all, not wanting to come off as a thread. "As a man, I wear what I like and enjoy", avoid "trans" labels even if you do consider yourself trans (fluid/neutral/etc), you know, just see where the discussion leads. You might even make a local friend!

Avoid places like this.

PS: I believe it's important to mention, especially to those who haven't ventured out yet, that the situations I described in my last two paragraphs regarding very mean and prejudiced people I have NEVER found out and about. I've only dealt with the usual dirty looks and obnoxious giggles from across the room. NOBODY HAS EVER confronted me in a negative way. But I carry this plan in the back of my head just in case.

[Judah14]

Avoid places like this.

I checked it out and found the "no gays allowed" motif funny to the point that it is sarcasm already (Seriously, a hardware is for selling tools, building materials and stuff like that, so why bother about homosexuals?). Though of course most if not all the people in this forum are not homosexual, so if "no gays allowed" is taken literally they would still be allowed, though the anti-homosexual setiment would be unsetting.

[crfriend]

[...] though the anti-homosexual setiment would be unsetting.

The other side of this is, "Would you really want to deal with folks who behave or believe in such a manner?" My answer on that question is a flat and unequivocal, "No."

However, I have found that so long as I behave in a respectful manner I can go just about anywhere and not receive any grief. Actions speak louder than words, and words speak louder than text.

[Pdxfashionpioneer]

I agree with Carl up to the point of that hardware store Moonshadow found.

Judah14, don't kid yourself! That dude is SERIOUS and he doesn't look like the type who digs deep enough into contemporary social issues to split hair about whether or not a guy in a skirt is gay. He'd just tell you you're kidding yourself and it doesn't matter because he's not interested in serving "our kind" either!

As far as all of that goes, I'm surprised his ballcaps don't say "No faggots allowed." So who says the guy isn't up to date?

This is just one of many ways you Fillipinos were smart to get your independence from us!

[crfriend]

Judah14, don't kid yourself! That dude is SERIOUS and he doesn't look like the type who digs deep enough into contemporary social issues to split hair about whether or not a guy in a skirt is gay. He'd just tell you you're kidding yourself and it doesn't matter because he's not interested in serving "our kind" either!

The tricky part is is that sometimes reality and satire can get confused -- especially in the modern day where reality is really beginning to resemble satire in some of its purest form. For instance, take the crack attributed to Tom Lehrer when he retired, "In a world where Henry Kissinger can win the Nobel Peace Prize there is no room for satire." Or Westboro Baptist Church. The rational gut tends to tell the body that what's being seen is satire, but in the modern world -- which has gone wildly off the rails -- that's not necessarily a safe reaction. Another example is the current crop of candidates running to be the next Emperor in the USA. Are they for real, or are they an outrageous fiction placed on the stump to point up idiocy and injustice?

As far as all of that goes, I'm surprised his ballcaps don't say "No faggots allowed." So who says the guy isn't up to date?

"No pooftahs!" -- Monty Python, The Bruces

[Judah14]

Judah14, don't kid yourself! That dude is SERIOUS and he doesn't look like the type who digs deep enough into contemporary social issues to split hair about whether or not a guy in a skirt is gay. He'd just tell you you're kidding yourself and it doesn't matter because he's not interested in serving "our kind" either!

Of course I know that person is serious, but the fact that most of the website of a HARDWARE COMPANY is devoted to dislike of homosexuals not available items in the store or customer service is laughable.

[moonshadow]

The hardware store isn't satire. A google search on the store in question reveals it's real, including several stories from area news outlets.

However it's important to note that most people, even those with plenty of prejudice to go around generally don't go through that kind of trouble to express their hate.

I found myself very close to the store in question on our way back home during our vacation this summer. In fact, I posted photo's of me outside of a local restaurant located in the same county.

The other patrons of the restaurant generally left me alone, sure there were a few stares, but that's the be expected. The lady who took our order was the only one working there at the time, and she was very friendly! I plan on returning.

I once told a local woman here that I ate at a Grainger County restaurant while wearing a skirt and her jaw dropped as though she was surprised I made it out alive. I went on to say that I also visited a few local flea markets and a mom and pop thrift store in the area.... It's not a big deal people! It's almost like people around here believe that Grainger County is like "little Mississippi" of Tennessee. It frankly makes me wonder if Mississippi is really all that bad, or is it just bad PR? I intend to find out.

I think the man at the hardware store is actually doing LGBT people a service by posting the signs, as Carl has mentioned, why would any progressive person want to shop in such a place to begin with? If he had no signs, a homosexual might accidentally support this hate filled business. Though I'm not homosexual, I'm happy to stay away from there, he'll receive not one red cent of my hard earned money. And I doubt he really cares either way.

Also, one last thing... like it or not, some people DO think skirt wearing men are homosexual. That's just the way it is, and you'll never convince them otherwise.

[Judah14]

The hardware store isn't satire. A google search on the store in question reveals it's real, including several stories from area news outlets.

As I wrote previously, I know that the store is real but I find irrelevant-to-hardware content forming the majority of the site laughable. I would mistake it for an anti-LGBT advocacy group if "hardware" is not in the title of the site.

[moonshadow]

The hardware store isn't satire. A google search on the store in question reveals it's real, including several stories from area news outlets.

As I wrote previously, I know that the store is real but I find irrelevant-to-hardware content forming the majority of the site laughable. I would mistake it for an anti-LGBT advocacy group if "hardware" is not in the title of the site.

You're right. And it might very well be an anti-LGBT group in the works, the man is also a pastor at a local church. I can just imagine the sermons....

I have thought about visiting incognito (trousers and t-shirt, no Wiccan jewelry) just to see if I can figure out who his supplier is and maybe send a letter to said supplier about how he is marketing their brands. Granted, I'm sure he has the right to sell what he has, but sometimes small stores like that operate on consignment and on a contract basis to a larger distributor. Perhaps when the contract is up the distributor will not renew. Apparently U-Haul has already cut ties with the business.

If for example if he is operating under a "Do It Best" brand, I like to think that they [Do It Best Corp] would not want their brand presented in such a way.

If he has the "right" to refuse customers.... then suppliers should have the "right" to refuse him.... fair is fair right?

[hoborob]

It frankly makes me wonder if Mississippi is really all that bad, or is it just bad PR? I intend to find out.

I lived in Mississippi for a full year Moon and I will tell you that the PR is much worse than the reality. Sure the education level there is lower than the national average but in truth its the actions of a few that are in the public eye that are getting the attention for all the wrong reasons. It is very easy for the few visible ones to create an image that is just the opposite of what is really true. By and large the majority of people just want to live their lives and be left alone and are thus not wanting to cause issues with others that may draw unwanted attention to themselves. Most people will leave you alone and let you live your life the way you see fit. It's only a few that want to enforce their own particular version of what they think is right on everyone else. Avoiding those few is the trick, so long as you take care of your surroundings and stay out of situations that may lead to physical confrontations you'll be OK.

[moonshadow]

It is very easy for the few visible ones to create an image that is just the opposite of what is really true. By and large the majority of people just want to live their lives and be left alone and are thus not wanting to cause issues with others that may draw unwanted attention to themselves. Most people will leave you alone and let you live your life the way you see fit. It's only a few that want to enforce their own particular version of what they think is right on everyone else. Avoiding those few is the trick, so long as you take care of your surroundings and stay out of situations that may lead to physical confrontations you'll be OK.

Agreed! I think a lot of it also has to do with people wanting to project their area as being noteworthy, whether it's positive noteworthiness or negative. People just want a reputation of some kind. I'm guilty of that to some extent. "Oh yeah... over here in SWVA it's all redneck and rough and tumble.... look at me.... ain't I a hot shot..." When it reality it's actually pretty quiet most of the time.

I hear people say sometimes "that guy sure does have balls to dress like that..."

No.. it's not "balls"... it's just that I don't care what people think. Or, I care so far as seeing that my needs are met. keeping my employer happy and the landlord paid. Everyone else can like me, or move on down the line, I could care less. And when you REALLY don't care what people think about you, you'd be surprised what you are capable of! The observation of politics and current events actually helps. I basically view everyone as idiots now, so it really doesn't offend me when they laugh. They don't know any better... they can't help it. The world is a walking talking Jerry Springer show.... and I'm supposed to endevour to win the approval of these people??? Uhhh.... no...

[STEVIE]

Moon,
You can change any time, the stupid are likely to remain so forever.
This really belongs in Out and About, but I was the recipient of the most disapproving look yesterday.
Right now I'm trousered, they are still narrow minded and bigoted.
Who is the winner?
Steve.

[Ray]

Two sightings in Birmingham in the space of 48 hours. On Monday afternoon I walked past an older gent, mid 50s, slim, black top, long black skirt and dark stiletto heels. He looked like a dalek on tiptoe. A good rig. I was past him before I could react.

This afternoon, barely 30m from the same place, another chap in his mid 50s, white top, black shorts, black tights. Not sports tights. Yet a sporty look.

Birmingham is becoming avant garde!

[Judah14]

Saw a boy wearing a short floral skirt today. He was accompanied by who I think are his parents.

[Caultron]

Saw a boy wearing a short floral skirt today. He was accompanied by who I think are his parents.

How old, and where?