The Kristin Beck Effect Redux, The real effect for us all.

[Guest CassieX]

An Amazing, nice thing happened to myself and Kay while we were dining this evening at one of the local upscale Italian restaurants.

From the start, the staff were very courteous and polite with the female server using the correct pronouns. Since I was driving, I had a non alcoholic cocktail with Kay ordering one of her complicated mixed drinks. The female server asked for some ID and Kay showed her retired military ID. We had a lovely meal and everyone was very attentive and friendly with several different servers bringing us food and drinks.

Unbeknownst to us, the first female server must have gone back to the kitchens, told everyone that we were transgendered prior military. With all the publicity currently surrounding Kristen Beck, who when active duty and not in the field had been based locally, we received a very positive gift.

At the end of the meal, either the chef or one of his assistants came out to our table and said, " I'd just like to shake your hands for coming here tonight". We looked at each other thinking Huh? Kay asked, "What do you mean?". He said, " You sure have a lot of testicles for doing what you did" and proceeded to shake both our hands, leaving us feeling somewhat confused.

Hours later, while driving home, it suddenly struck me what had just happened tonight, and I burst into tears almost driving off the highway.

As soon as I got home I just had to call Kay and explain to her what had really happened. She's a bit blonder than me, though some days its hard to tell the difference.

So Kristin Beck, I thank you, as a fellow transgendered Vet, for shining a positive light on our struggle to be accepted by society for who we really are.

I truly hope this wave of positive acceptance from the general public continues.

Cassie

[Guest LizMarie]

That's wonderful! I'm very glad to hear that. Maybe the Kristin Beck story is really going to be an important moment for us all.

[Guest Bellexia]

So this will be the coming out story that changes everything for everyone.

[Guest Kaylee234]

To be honest, I was thrilled that the hostess and our waitress used the right pronouns. That's always a good feeling.

The chef coming out and thanking us did confuse me at first. I assumed that our waitress had said something about it but didn't really think about it much beyond that.

But yes, a pleasant experience overall. Plus, the food was really good. I think Cassie and I will go back there again sometime soon

~ Kay

[Guest Gerilynn]

I would love to hug Kristin. First she had an amazing career and now she make things easier on everyone. Wish I had had that kind of courage. I do think it will make things easier on everyone for at least a little while.

It does make me think I am being silly not owning up to my military career and just coming out to everyone. The friends I had in the Military were a huge part of my life and to my shame I kept most distant. Now I am very close to letting them know and I hope Krisiin leading the way will make it that much easier.

[Guest Jennifer T]

Much like Kristen Beck, my old military friends have no clue about my TG status. I never felt I was deceiving anyone and I did my best to be the best man I could be. There are still a few whom if they called me and said, "I need you", I'd be there. I wonder how they'd react if they knew the me inside. I hope they've seen the Kristen Beck interview and at least think about it.

Cassie and Kay, that is an amazing experience. Thanks for sharing it here

Peace.

[Guest Jessicaann]

It's funny the day her story hit the news I got outed to my platoon lol. I surprisingly had people actually say they'd defend me. I never thought in a million years any marine would even look at me like a human again. I must say I'm a lil made at Kristen because the book I've been working on for a year was the same title and same concept lol. I guess I got beat to the punch