Dance and Be Dapper!

Isn't it *great* that we get to dance on NATIONAL COMING OUT DAY!?!
We kind of think so.

We've all got our own coming out story.  Some of our stories are easy, breezy.... some of our stories brim over with tears and anger and harsh words. Most of us, however, realize that 'coming out' doesn't just happen one time:  it happens over and over and over.

Find Your Inner Dapper HERE

At a new job.
Making new friends.

When I first came out I think I looked a bit like Rainbow Brite from the 80s because I stuck rainbows on me everywhere I could.  
In my hair:  check.
In my wrist:  check.
On my wallet:  check. (pun intended)
On my shirt: check.
On my sox.... absofreakinlutely.

Aside from pulling a Prince, changing my name on to "That Girl Formerly Known As Straight" and putting "LEZZY" right across my cheek in permanent tattoo.... I was stumped for other ways to visually communicate who I was.

Who I was?
WHO I AM.

That's the thing about coming out;  you have to do again and again.  Just the other day a man - a cis-gender/bio-man - asked me for my phone number.  Now, don't go thinking that I think I'm *at all* that hot or that I have some crazy notion that people follow me around waiting to ask me out on a date.... because I most certainly do not (and they most certainly do not).  The conversation went like this:

Him:  You just need someone to whisk you away.
Me:  I do not.  I can pay for my own dinner, take myself to the movies and whisk myself anywhere I want.
Him:  Well.... You should give me your number, so it's not so long until I see you again.
Me:  You know I have two kids... right?
Him:  Yup... two sweet kids.
Me:  You know I'm a lesbian... right?
Him:  Yup.... I don't mind.

Gee.... you don't?  How special for all of us.....?

So there I was coming out to this guy..... then I posted the story on my fb page, kind of shocked and surprised that he even asked and a friend - a FRIEND who has known me for YEARS - messaged me and said.... "Oh, so you're not going to be a lesbian anymore?"

Sigh.
My second 'coming out' of the day... I'm really starting to re-think that face tattoo idea.....

LUCKILY for my MOC and Butch counterparts.... their identity is so much more... well - hot, totally swoony, makes me melty in all the best places..... GORGEOUS.... and for some reason when a person see's a woman present in masculine clothing they just assume that person is likely a lesbian.
Butch visibility is, imho, vital to our community and to our collective identity.  They are sans the need for anything Rainbow Brite and stand among us out in society for the world to critique and comment on... and (hopefully) support.

Tonight's dance will feature a POP-UP Shop by Dapper D.
Run by a local lesbian family, these clothes are amazing and stylish and perfect for those MOC and Butch.  From Polo's to accessories, to the *hottest* hoodies I personally would love to be unzipping on someone special.... 
Oh....and also perfect for your girlfriend to wake up in snuggled next to you.... have you seen the cleavage capability on The Girlfriend Shirt?  

Owned by Vanna Pecoraro and Rasha Pecoraro, these clothes are more than a way to visibly express who you are and how you feel... it's a dream and a movement.  The movement to Be Brace, Be Authentic, Be You.  It's about loving who you are, whatever your size, however you identify, and putting it out there for the world to appreciate.  It's a chance for those who identify MOC of Butch to avoid shopping in the men's department where clothes almost fit, but not quite.... where they get sideways glances from sales people and stares from customers.... it's a chance to dress HOW YOU FEEL... and look damn hot doing it.

So come on down and get your Dance on.... there will be Dapper D Models walking around for you to touch and feel (their clothes of course) and a Pop-Up shop for your try on clothes.  We will see you there!