That's what the gate guard at work said to me this morning. It just keeps on happening and it's happening more often. Second time this week. Happened last week once. Happened the week before once.
I show up to work which is a high security government installation. I have to go through a security checkpoint which has guards posted because it's a high security installation. I have to show the guards my government issued ID which has my legal male name on it and they do look at it.
And some of the guards clock me as female greeting me with a Ma'am or Miss, even with my ID in their hands with my name on it a few of them do it. Others don't. But the thing Is, I'm not out at work. I'm male at work.
I just let it happen, drive on through when the guard lets me through and giggle when I'm far enough down the road past the security checkpoint.
Work isn't the only place this happens. I've had issues going through TSA security at the airport where the TSA agent may set the body scanner to female and then wondered what suspicious package I have between my legs and send me through the scanner again. And then when they set it to male, I have to have my chest checked to see if I have a suspicious package or materials there that trigger an alert on the body scanner. I have had store clerks also say Miss, Ma'am, and young lady until they see my name on a card or receipt.
I'm just in the awkward phase of transitioning, not out trying to pass, half way there, somewhere in between.
Comments
Wecome to the Ma'am..., Sir Club
It's not an exclusive club and you are right, it is funny. Kinda puts a smile on one's face every time though. I believe more people need glasses than what we suspect. If it doesn't happen to me once or twice a week it is because I'm not out in public or getting a call on the phone. And yes it happens on the phone. More so then in public I get ma'am.
You aren't the first one in a high security position to trip up security. One of the girls was put on President George Bush security detail where his Secret Service didn't quite know how to deal with her..., him.., her. Life has it's moments. I pray you enjoy those moments to the fullest.
Hugs
always,
Barb
Life is a gift. Treasure it until it's time to return it.
Oklahoma born and raised cowgirl
In between
I don't normally present female in the street but lean towards androgyny most of the time. I was in the salon a few days ago for my usual trim and had my hair down. A new stylist was seeing to a gent, who queried that my appointment was before his. "Oh no, that lady has an appointment with Tammy." Yes, my stylists's name is Tammy! That day I was in shorts and a top, both from the female side of the store but not obviously so.
A day later I was on my way to the railway station and a mother was coming towards me along the footpath with a small boy on a bicycle. She warned him to watch where he was going, instead he looked at me. He hit stones and fell over. "If you had kept your eye on where you were going instead of looking at that lady!" I stopped and picked up the bike as the boy was checked over and received a thanks from the mother. I was heading for a waxing appointment and was wearing vertical striped culottes that moved like a skirt, plus a top with obvious bumps but no makeup. My hair was down.
Yesterday I was at an airshow and met up with thirty or more folk who only know the male side of me, no misgendering there although a BBC Radio presenter did comment that my hair shade was the same as hers! I'm met this particular presenter many times before and I doubt if she'd have worried if I was in makeup and a frock!