Well this is a bit of a twist on the the question Ron posed, but it's along the same lines. So sit back children and ....
Let me tell you all the story of "Lesbian Bob." I first met Lesbian Bob, oh probably over 20 years ago. I was a young dyke then and immature - hmmm now I'm an old dyke and immature, but I digress ... Bob was pointed out to me and his story told. I of course did not believe it or him at first. But this would be some kind of charade, continuing for the past 20 years plus, so I except him as he is now. Supposedly Bob, a typical blue collar city of Chicago sewer worker had once been married and had a family. His wife, so the story goes, left him for a woman. Now I don't know if this is what turned him around or if he had always had these tendencies. But Bob began his life as a lesbian, coming out ... so to speak. He is a blue jean, flannel kind of (gulp) dyke. He is a super feminist (choke). And he loves BUTCH women! And he is about 65 or 70 now, but I still run into him occassionally on the train or bus. He would sit in the bars, swilling lite beers and talking feminism. His dream was to be allowed to go to the Michigan Womens Fest. He often applied to the board to allow him entry. They were actually quite kind to him and promised him by letter entry in the year 2050 or something like that! I think he'll stick aroud just to get there! As we would sit in the predominately lesbian bar, Bob would watch the door for "prospects." When the stray or occassional man would enter, Bob would slam his fist and mumble, "Damn men, what do they have to come in here for!" He would never speak to them and acted very anti male. He carried around his satchel which ALWAYS had some vey PC material in it. And if a discussion was going on in the bar, he would inevitably pullout some piece of lesbian propaganda to support his view. Also, if in conversation you might utter, "oh my god" - Bob would always correct you by saying "you mean, oh my goddess." He was actually pretty smart and was often my competition for free shots, when we watched and played "Wheel of Fortune." Which may be the way I finally earn my pot of gold - LOL! On occassion it was rumored Bob "scored." I do know of an instance or two with a friend, when in their drunkedness Lesbian Bob and "Lips" were rumored to have made out in the bar. Poor "Lips" a scarlett letter she must bear for the rest of her life. He truly did not like femme women though, good cause I didn't want to have to lose out to him! But I being as I refer to myself a "soft" butch was still not his style - Thank "goddess!" But my younger queer sister is in some ways more butch and often had Bob's eye. My sister, Marianne, would often "play" him for the beers he would shower her with, not my style, but that's my sister! You all knew that I had a baby dyke sister too - right? Isn't my mother the proud one! But the idea of Lesbian Bob's authenticity came up often and I must say - I believe him. This was just too much. He truly lived and still lives this life as a lesbian. Although pushing 70 and in poor health now. So although he never pursued a change physically, afterall he is butch, he has lived his life as as a butch woman stuck in a man's body. Many women would not speak to him, many were grossed out by him. Many, like myself were always very curious. And you didn't just ask him questions, you had to bide your time and slowly gather this information. So here in Chicago, he is somewhat of an urban lesbian legend. He is so the typical looking "Joe" you would never believe his story or personna - until you saw him cruising the dykes in a club. Now I never said he did not get gross, as I suddenly remember him being a bit buzzed and expressing his oral talents, much like someone plays "air guitar" Ewwwwww! BUt I do believe there are people, as rare as it may be who are gender and prefernce mislabled in life. Even more so than the supposed 10% club - as gay people are referred to being a part of. I think people like "Lesbian Bob" and Lucy's friend and a few others mentioned in this thread, are probably in the 2% club or less. BUt they are human and have their good points and their bad. They still have value, although they are subject to much fodder and embellishment, mostly behind their backs and out of view, although there is always the occassional bold one who will confront them. Still, how hard a life is that to live and to except in yourself much less what other people think of you. So long live Lesbian BoB - he is truly a sister! And still the other half of me chokes on my own words - LOL! Peace, Susan NPIMH: Joe Cocker's version of "Woman to Woman." Yahoo! Mail Plus - Powerful. Affordable. Sign up now. http://mailplus.yahoo.com
