Member-only story
I Met a Trans Woman (Like and Unlike Me) on the Queen Mary II
On the challenges and rewards of being social and transgender.
I got the opportunity to do an Atlantic crossing from England to NYC alone. My partner gets sea sick and hates the open ocean. I wanted a week with no stress or requirements.
The cruise I’m on right now fit the bill.
I am transgender but for personal and professional reasons I present as male the vast majority of the time. On the cruise I was hoping to reverse the percentages.
I wasn’t afraid of traveling alone. I am comfortable meeting new people and I generally enjoy the experience.
The cruise line has an overwhelming selection of things to do all day long. The first day, the one that was most important for me was the LGBTQ social get-together. They hold one every day at 5 pm. I was hoping to connect with other transgender people or at least be among friends who were at least L, G, B, or Q.
I showed up at 5pm on the dot and was stunned by the number of gay men attending. I had almost given up meeting anyone transgender until I noticed a very attractive young woman talking to a group of men. She was the only female in the group.
