Perspective: Telling a long-time acquaintance I'm going to Nashville, and hearing him say "Oh, I hear it's a really fun city!"

And then thinking "I imagine *you'd* have a lovely time." Thinking about how my wife is worried about my gender presentation on the construction site where I'll be working — being someone slightly fem in a very masc space like that. Being in a state with a poor track record around trans rights.

Intellectually, know I'll be fine, and I almost certainly *will* end up having a good time at some point. I'm planning to continue showing up as myself. Nashville is a big city — a dot of blue in a sea of red, similar to where I spent most of my college years. I don't anticipate any issues.

Emotionally, though, it feels wild to see a sharp disconnect that wouldn't have crossed my mind three years ago. It makes me appreciate the relative social safety for visibly queer folks where I'm living.

Anyway, stay safe out there, y'all. ✌️