BC Bound

Today I'm heading to Beautiful British Columbia with my eldest darling, and I'm excited to be getting on a plane again. I love to travel. It has it's downsides, but I recognize what a wonderful privilege it is to step on a plane on one side of the country and step off on the total opposite side.

One thing I never worry about is the process of getting there. It's a hassle to go through security and it's a pain to have to hurry up and wait, but as a white cisgender woman it's not a problem or a hardship. I never have to think about what the scanners are looking for under my clothes. I never have to endure much scrutiny from the security workers. I am keenly aware that this is a privilege. Having traveled with my son (a trans person) I am also keenly aware that my experience is not shared by the trans community. When we travel together I go into "vigilant protector mom" mode...don't tell Ian, I try to hide it...

I know that the post-9/11 world has created this climate of intense paranoia and scrutiny. It has also made the world a less safe place for trans folx to live, work, play, and certainly to travel in. How have we messed this up so profoundly?

The only thing I can think of to counter this insanity is to keep pouring kindness on the world, one trip at a time. Maybe a good healthy dose of it will cure some of the illness. That, and voting, but that's a topic for another day.

Also this: my earrings are amazing, and Rebecca Maracle is the artist.