Halloween, 2014. All the girls are crowded around the mirror in Kat’s miniscule upstairs bathroom, making the final touches to make the perfect cute/creative/scary costume for tonight’s party.
I however, was working on a different project. Our friend Nick, asked us to help him dress as a woman for Halloween. Think nothing of it, the girls agreed and set upon giving him an authentic look. The costume from head to toe, included a stuffed bra, the right kind of nylons, skintight dress, and cute matching heels. I oversaw the makeup portion. Squatting in front of my extremely male looking friend, who was clothed in a tight red dress accentuating “boobs” nicer than my own, we giggled/gossiped through the session together. Giving Nick “mock” makeup tutorials and beauty care tips, I finished his look with thick, black winged liner and a red lip. He was stunning, from the curled wig on his head down to his pedicured toes.
Later that night as the festivities were dying down, Nick pulled me aside saying, “Thank you so much for tonight. You’ve made me feel truly beautiful and more like myself.” That was when Nick revealed to me that he was transgender. This wasn’t a costume, it was who he, or she, actually, was as a person.
Soon Nick became Nicole, and became more comfortable in her skin. However, she still has many hardships to face due to the standards that our society holds, and the recent issues concerning trans persons that have erupted.
In the past year, members of the transgender community have faced numerous forms of discrimination and removal of their basic rights. In August, A US major corporation called Target received backlash over its policy change to allow transgender people to use the bathroom of the gender they identify with.
“We stand for equality and equity, and strive to make our guests and team members feel accepted, respected and welcomed in our stores and workplaces every day,” Target said in press releases during this time, “We believe that everyone – every team member, every guest, every community – deserves to be protected from discrimination, and treated equally.”
Taking a stance against the continuous discrimination, this company opened the conversation on trans acceptance. Unfortunately, the people of the world are not opening their eyes or ears to the importance of this dialogue. Members of the transgender community continue to face discrimination in their everyday lives. It’s ridiculous, people should be able to function in the public as themselves, without judgement.
The same goes for the bathroom privacy. Enclosed by walls on all sides, we do our business, wash our hands, and get out. How is that offensive?
It’s not.
People need to open their eyes. We’re in a new era, where inclusivity is key. Men and women like my friend Nicole are going to continue to live their lives.
I’m going to stand with them, and hey, we may even use the same restroom.

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