It helps me a lot that when I was 20 years old I went to work as an airline ticket agent at Washington National Airport. About half of the men I worked with were gay, although in the beginning I did not know that, as they were all not public about their orientation. I am so glad I knew them. Not only because individually they were wonderful men, but more to the point that I got to understand being "different". Alas, far too many of them died in the early years of AIDS.
About a decade ago I worked the information desk at my local hospital. It was located right outside the gift shop, which was staffed by volunteers. They typically worked a 3 hour shift one day a week so I had the joy of meeting lots of the volunteers. On Wednesday evenings, there was Robert. It was obvious to me from our very first hello that he was gay. We'd chat, because I could walk into the gift shop when things were slow and immediately return to the information desk if needed. Anyway, after a while he invited me to his house on a Saturday for coffee. He then informed me he was gay. He was a bit concerned that I'd be thinking of him as a potential date, especially because were are close in age. I laughed, and told him I'd figured it out right away. We are still friends, typically get together once a week or so for lunch.
A while back we went out to dinner together. He'd made the reservation in his name, and when we showed up the hostess called me "Mrs. Moore." I was actually delighted that we were taken for a married couple, even though we are not.
Here's something else that may be important. Both of the trans people I know are connected to the science fiction world. They are both writers. Trust me, that world is incredibly open and embracing of differences. I am so very glad I am part of that s-f world.
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