Hi there, everyone. Samaria here. This past Saturday, GWLA and Trans* Lounge hosted an amazing “Speed Friending” event for trans and non-binary people searching for friendship and community. Over 60 open hearted individuals gathered on the rooftop of the West Hollywood LGBT Center and dared to be themselves, fully. In preparing for such an exciting and special event, all I could think of is how happy and eager everyone would be to get to know someone new. Never for a moment did I consider it would be one of the most remarkable experiences of my life.

As I looked around at the body language of all the guests, I tried to place myself in their shoes. Their vulnerability and anxiety was palpable. I thought to myself; Wow, have you ever been able to be yourself fully in public? As the thought hit me, I had to step away and gather myself.

The thoughts continued—If I showed up in my curly ‘fro, if I spoke in Ebonics, if I sounded more like Mississippi and less like California—would I have even had the opportunity to be here tonight? As I continued to study the faces of all the guests, I could see their intrusive thoughts were getting the best of them too. I laughed. Hard. I was a person amongst my people! We are the ones that know the burden of pretending, the ones that are deemed “other”, the ones that deserve the freedom of being who they are without explanation. We were all freaking out internally, and I had never felt more at home.

As the night went on, the crowd grew more and more comfortable. Conversations filled the air and laughter was throughout. The veil that so many had been used to hiding behind was no longer needed, if only for the moment. Faces were beaming, friends were made, lives were changed.

As we approach Pride month and in the spirit of community, I leave you with my final thought. I hope you know that your community may not always look like you, but when you have the opportunity to open up and connect from your heart space, who knows where you might find yourself at home.

Until next time,

Samaria

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