I was in line this morning. I guess it is important to note that sometimes I go out pretty androgynous when I simply want to get a cup of coffee and a little something for breakfast. I'll get ma'am, I'll get sir, it doesn't really matter to me at that point in the morning as long as I get served.

Anyway, I was in line this morning talking to an acquaintance while the line moved particularly slow. While waiting another acquaintance of ours came through the door and went towards the back for the energy drinks.

"I remember when it was a she," this guy says to me.

"He," I corrected.

"He, she, it, whatever," the guy continues. "That's a chick."

"It's not whatever. Jace identifies as a he. He deserves some respect."

"I don't have to give things like that respect. No matter what you do, you are still what you are underneath."

"And Jace is a guy," I was trying really hard not to raise my voice or be angry. "He's never done anything bad to you, you should just call address him how he wants."

The guy rolled his eyes and starts referring to Jace as a hermaphrodite, questioning what he has between his leg.

"It doesn't really matter what's there, does it?" I said. "It's not like you're sleeping with him or intimate with him. Just show him the common courtesy that he shows you."

"Hardly."

At that time we were at the front of the line and this acquaintance pays for his stuff and then with a quick "see you around" he leave.

It really takes a lot to get me riled up and seeing red. I tend to defuse situations instead of escalate them. But this really rubbed me the wrong way. I am also embarrassed that I wasn't firmer in my demands and didn't verbally undress this jerk with the tongue lashing of his life. But at the same time, I am proud that at least I said something. It was kind of odd, because I know this idiot knows I've transitioned too, even if I wasn't in a dress or skirt at the time. I now wonder if his comments were more a sideways attack on me. Either way, I made sure he drove off before leaving. I didn't want issues with him, nor did I want him to approach Jace. It makes me kind of sad the I live in a world where people can't offer others common courtesy. I understand when people are mean to me, I can be quite an ass at time and sometimes people don't understand my motives. But Jace is one of those good ol' boys that gets along with everyone.

The only good out of this is that it reminded me that I am a fighter. Sometimes I forget that is what my writing is about, it is about fighting society on a lot of fronts transgender people have given up on. So I will continue to fight some more.