To Paraphrase-and Apologies to-Katy Perry

      I met a girl and I liked him.

    No, not in that way.  I am happily married.  Who likes girls who remained girls.  And I won't kiss another guy.

  

    What I mean is that I met a transgender individual last weekend.  Oh, I have no doubt that I've met one before, but I just didn't know.  Something may have seemed a little "off" about this person or that person, but I didn't ask for proof.

    Plus, I'm kind of numb that way.

    After all, it's not like there's a transgender uniform.

There are uniforms for other persuasions, though. 

    No, I went to a party for this particular person.  And it wasn't a "Hey, look at me! Aren't I brave!" kind of event.  It was just a regular barbecue held in honor of this man's return from an extended job in another state.

    Notice that I wrote "man."  Because, even though he started life out as a girl (I've been told he looked like a young Chastity Bono), he has transitioned to a guy.  And, I wouldn't have known the difference.  He was an engaging, pleasant individual with a sense of humor and joy for life that a lot of people yearn for.

    I enjoyed speaking with him and look forward to our next visit.

    After I said, "Nice meeting you, buddy," I realized something about myself.  Of course, I've always maintained that it didn't matter to me on what side of the street you walk.  However, this was the first opportunity to "put my money where my mouth is" and appreciate someone for who they are.

    After all, people are people.

And assholes are assholes.

    Mind you, I still think there's a bit of mental illness involved with someone who wants to cut off body parts and take hormones of the other sex.  To be clear, though, it's just my opinion.  An opinion I wouldn't share with anyone.  Well, except here.  

    Because, hey, who am I to judge?

Besides, I have my own problems

   The way I see it, if you're happy and not a jerk to others, then live your life, my friend. 

    I wish more of us met more of the "other" us.  Perhaps that way, some of the agonizing division which rend our society would start to heal.

    I honestly think we'd then be less inclined to see each other as intolerant monsters.