1428 The Peacock

As we are turning onto Cornwall Avenue I ask Cynthia, "So you don't want anyone to know where you work." "It's essential for the safety of the women. Some have pimps seeking them out, and not all the women I work with are sex workers. They are battered women fleeing from violent spouses and partners. Safety comes with invisibilty." "I can't imagine what that would be like..." "Men never seem to get it. Patriarchy. There is still male privilege and male power and that protects everyone born with a penis." She has said that very drily and matter-of-factly, as though telling me what she just bought in the grocery store. "What do you know about the woman who was meeting with you today. I think she's trans?" "I don't know what to make of her. She appeared at the shelter just yesterday and said she wanted to arrange something with us. I asked her how she found the place, because we so far have not admitted trans, not because I am against transpersons but because some of the women we help feel unsafe around them, but because they still react to them as though they are men. It's because a lot of them have deep manly voices and that can really mess with a woman's head when she's escaping from a violent male. Anyway, this Stella wants to help, but I think i am going to have to turn her down. I first want to get feedback from Nicole and Chuck...