Ok so as a school photographer, I kind of get sent to the same schools over and over again. Last fall, I was sent to this high school for senior photos. And when this kid told me their name, they asked if I could change it to a different one (from something feminine to something more neutral) and I said ‘sure.’ They sat down and beamed.
Yesterday was this school’s prom and I saw this kid again. They were wearing blue suspenders and a bowtie and they came with their girlfriend. When they entered the photobooth with their girlfriend, they gave her a little kiss on the forehead for the photo.
Cute af.
My setup was positioned between the men’s bathroom and the womens bathroom. Which was a weird place to put a photo setup, but whatever. I notice that this kid in the blue suspenders was going into the women’s.
Later on in the evening, I noticed they’re hovering around the men’s bathroom. We catch eyes.
“I see you’re thinking about it,” I said. The kid in the blue suspenders nods. “Its easier the second time,” I assured them. “If anyone asks, just tell them the womens room is full.” There were only two stalls in the womens room, so this was reasonable.
I have been in a lot of men’s bathrooms, both to use them and to clean them. I have only been kicked out of one. Most dudes will understand if they see (what they consider to be) a woman in the men’s room if you give them a reason the women’s cant be used.
So this kid goes in. I have nothing going on, so I keep watch, ready to dive in there if it sounds like a fight.
But nothing happens. They leave.
Their girlfriend comes out of the women’s room with one of her friends, starts hovering around the men’s room. She’s worried. “I saw them go on the men’s room,” she says.
“If you’re looking for your friend in the blue suspenders, they’re out on the dance floor. You should join them.”
I did graduation photos for the same school today and this kid was wearing the exact same bowtie. When they got up on stage to accept their diploma there was a huge roar of cheers and applause and the hugs from staff members were so genuine.
And I cried a little (a lot) because y'all… this kid is so loved.
I was dodging rocks and broken bottle as a baby queer and this kid is so, so loved and my heart is full.
The future is bright sometimes.
Anyway, that was a perfect way for me to kick off pride month.
I love getting unaccompanied minors (kids flying alone) who so clearly just. Don’t want to be here lol. Sometimes I get to know a little of their story, like their parents are divorced, or a family member died and they’re heading to the funeral, but usually they just don’t want to talk about it and that’s fine. But I always treat the flight like it’s a challenge to make them smile. I offer them snacks and soda but that’s never enough, that’s whatever, they could get those from an airport vending machine. Chump change. So then I tell the worst jokes. Just the most embarrassing, kindergarten teacher, annoying dad jokes you can think of. And those always get a groan, or a “Seriously??” And that’s my in! Now I can say “Why, what’s your idea of a good joke? No, come on hotshot, make your best joke, let’s see it.” And they hem and they haw but of course they eventually tell me their very best joke because kids are little competitive comedy goldmines. And it’s always super funny, so I laugh, and that’s where they slip up. Because you know what you almost always do when your joke successfully makes someone laugh? You smile. And I’m like. Gotcha. Rookie move. Now you’re going to end up having a good time in spite of yourself. I win.
Did this with an 11yo u.m. today and he said “What did the ghost say to the other ghost?” And I said “What?” “Nothing. Ghosts aren’t real.”
I’m literally a flight attendant, offering snacks and drinks is my job
