Had my most affirming morning ever!

[Susan R]

This is a little long and mostly for ‘posterity sake’ but I wanted to remember this because it was such a great feeling and they don’t come around often.  For those who don’t like reading, there’s a short version at the bottom of the post.
 

Some of you may know that I love racquetball..ALOT.  In a previous life, I had spent endless hours in the court.  Back in my glory days, I would sometimes practice for hours in an empty court until someone showed up and asked if they could play.  Sometimes, I would be the one to ask but I always found someone to play a game or two during a workout. 

 

Fast forward about 30 years. My wife and I recently joined the YMCA last Oct. in our hometown here in WA State and I’ve been going there very often.  Of course, the big difference these days is that I play now as a woman.  So I find an empty court on most days but it seems everyone in the other court is always paired and sometimes they’re playing doubles (2 pairs).  I have been practicing for months but I have not had a single person ask to play.  Also, I have sat in front of a few courts being used after I’m finished but no one ever seems to be in their court alone.  Everyone is always paired.

 

Well, today that all changed.  I was practicing for a half hour and noticed 3 guys and 2 of their wives or G/F’s watching me practice for awhile.  It was odd but I didn’t think too much of it.  Then one of the guys decides to pop his head in to ask me if I’d like to join him and his 2 buddies in a doubles game.  I was a little intimidated at first but I came out of my court and explained to them I have never played doubles racquetball before but I’m willing to try.    I also mentioned I hadn’t played in an actual game with anyone in years.  One of them said, “We watched you...you hit the ball good, you’ll do great.”  We all introduced ourselves and not one of them seemed to mind I was female, trans or otherwise during our conversation.  I wasn’t sure if I had been clocked by either of them but I went in the court with them and we paired up.  Then they explained the few differences between singles and doubles racquetball and we got started.  I won the serve so I was up...I thought to myself, “OK Susan. here we go”...I served and got an Ace right out of the gate!  I was feeling it and was on a roll.

 

You know though what was the most amazing thing during that 40 min. game?  Not one of guys misgendered me at any time.  It was all “her” or “she” and one guy seemed to always refer to me as Susan.  I was on cloud 9...I was accepted as “one of the guys” so to speak.  What a turn of events...lol.

 

We played out the game which at one point was tied 10-10.  We then pulled ahead for good with a 5-0 streak an ended up winning 15-10.  We all shook hands and they all congratulated me and said I’ll have to join them again soon.  One of the wives came up to me afterwards and said, Wow, you did really well  in there...Blah blah blah”.  So now, I have a few regulars that I can play with once in a while and they completely accept me as me.  It was the best morning there at the YMCA yet...probably up there in my top 3 moments during my transition.

 

tldr: was finally invited to play racquetball with the guys.  Played a game with them, was not misgendered even once and my teammate and I won.  I will be invited to play with them again.

 

Susan R?

 

 

[VickySGV]

You seem to have gotten on the ball for that one!!  Good going. 

[DeeDee]

I have no clue about racquetball (is it the same as squash?) but I am delighted that you have had such a wonderful time! ?

[SaraAW]

Sounds like a truly wonderful time Susan. Hopefully this is just the start of many more great times at the court for you. Hugs!

[ShawnaLeigh]

This is amazing!  Good job out there and Congrats!

 

[tracy_j]

Brilliant Susan!

 

Tracy

[Susan R]

Hey thx ladies?.  It’s the one male dominated sport that I’ll never give up.

[MetaLicious]

Wow! That is great to hear.  I'm glad you shared this with us - it made me feel good just reading it, I can only imagine how wonderful it must have been first-hand.