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Hi The Hot Mess: My Own Trans Cinderella Story at Sea
Living transgender without a safety net
I constantly take the social requirements of being female for granted. I am transgender, a transgender woman to be precise.
I planned a transatlantic cruise that was famous for gala evenings, complete with gowns and tuxedos. I was determined to go to them as myself. I was finally going to wear a beautiful gown.
I was planning my own Cinderella story…minus the Prince Charming, of course.
I had taken great care to find and hire a professional stylist to help fit me with the right dress. The whole concept was way out of my experience to date. With her help, I found my perfect dress.
It was a sleeveless v-neck that we had hemmed up to just above knee level so I could show some leg. I am vain, just like everyone else. I had already found the shoes, black patent-leather kitten heels with a bow on the toe. Very Audrey Hepburn.
I was all set for my Cinderella Ball.
The evening finally came after weeks of planning, filled with fear and excitement. The hours of preparation were then filled with shrinking confidence and terrible images careening around my head. As I applied my makeup, I kept seeing a gorilla in a clown constume looking back.
