Helping Hand

Harper’s life had been anything but easy. She’d once been an openly Gay Man. The majority of his life actually. Until she’d moved to South Florida. She’d found herself in those first few months there. She’d met more than a few Trans Women. Women whose stories matched his in eerily similar ways. She’d begun transitioning six months after moving to South Florida. It’d led to a confrontational argument with her family. People who’d let their actions speak for them. She’d cut all contact with them after the confrontational argument. She wasn’t going to let transphobic people in her life anymore.

She’d gone on with her life. A brief period of homelessness led to her down a road she’d not wanted to go on. Until she’d reached out to places that’d helped her get back on her feet. A place that’d helped her get an apartment while another place helped her find a job. One where she’d be able to use her voice to advocate for herself. And others. She’d loved her position on the Marketing team of an almost entirely LGBTQ run Marketing firm. She had felt more at home amongst people she didn’t know than among her own relatives.

She’d begun focusing on Trans youth. Trans adults were once Trans youth after all. It was something she’d often remind people of. Children do eventually grow up and become adults. Regardless of their background. She’d begun speaking out far more. In the face of her own fear. In the face of hatred and bigotry. She’d let Trans youth know they’re not alone. Even when it feels like it. The media wants people to continue being hateful toward the LGBTQ community. Trans people especially. That being visible is destigmatizing what the media is trying to do. That being visible does matter.

“I’m happy I took the leap of faith I did” Adam mentioned
“I am also. I took leaps of faith of my own” Harper replied
“I can’t imagine some of the things you’ve been through” Adam said
“I’m surprised I’m still alive. Trans Women are at a higher risk of being murdered after all. By 35 on top of that. I’m passed that now. And I’m still here” She sighed
“And you’ve made waves of change” Adam smiled

Three years passed in what felt like a few hours to Harper. She’d helped far more people than she’d thought. Trans people and otherwise. She’d made waves in the community. She’d gotten an opportunity in New York though. She wanted to take it. It felt like her time in South Florida was ending. That New York, for some reason, was meant to happen. She didn’t want to leave at first. Everyone was encouraging her to go though. That whatever was drawing her there was happening for a reason. Even if it didn’t show it self right away. It was meant to be.

She’d hesitated more than once. She’d chosen to not fight it anymore. She’d seen why she was meant to move to New York after a brief trip there for the interview. It was the Mayor Elect that wanted her. She’d met briefly met him while he lived in South Florida. He’d seen LGBTQ people, youth and adults, in a different way after meeting her. He hadn’t even known she was Trans until it’d come up in conversation with one of her friends during a soirée. He’d become an advocate after that. He didn’t care what others thought about his stance. He was going to be an advocate for everyone regardless of what push back he got from bigots and hypocrites.