Trans in London

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I had a quiet day at Caroline’s, and had a quiet day in. She got back in soon after 1700, and we headed for Royston (train) station, for the 1746 First Capital Connect to London, taking the train all the way south to London Kings Cross. We’d been invited by one of the organisers to the monthly TransLondon discussion/support group meeting, at Gays The Word bookstore.

On the train, I talked to Caroline about an idea I’d had for when I got back (after this week’s trip up north). Originally I was supposed to be heading north on Tuesday night (next week), back to Dundee on Wednesday morning. As things appeared to be going well, she agreed to have me until the following weekend – when I’d have to go home to go back to work. We started talking about a few things – and we both felt so happy together.

The overground bit from Finsbury Park to Kings Cross is one that I had not done for some time (as that’s where I’d switch to the tube last time), but I was impressed with the architectural changes around the area. The new Emirates Stadium (Arsenal FC) looked very impressive. We got through to Kings Cross, and made it to the now-legendary Platform “9 3/4”, as mentioned in the Harry Potter books. We got to Gay’s The Word in plenty of time so we stopped in an adjacent pub.

At the meeting, another organiser (Christina) was very impressed that I’d managed to come down all the way from Dundee – although they were still impressed when I explained that both Caroline and I had came from Royston, not Dundee. At 472 miles by road (according to Transport Direct), I currently hold the record for “furthest away from home for a group meeting”…

The group meeting location is set within the London borough of Camden, and we had a presentation first up from Nick, from the Camden LGBT Forum.Nick gave us a brief presentation on the work of the Forum, and handed out leaflets, pens and purse-sized “useful contacts” cards/bookmarks. He then explained the work that the Forum is going in relation to anti-social behaviour in the borough. The statistics in the information we were given were concerning – I won’t scare you with them here, but you can read them on the website. The Forum also have a form now (online or paper) for reporting of homophobic and transphobic crimes without involving the police – the principle being the more that get reported, the easier it is to use the law to the full.

The group then split into three, to discuss the forthcoming meetings of the GLA on “health care provision within the NHS for trans people in preparation for the public panel discussion which the GLA will be hosting on LGBT Health issues in the Capital on Tuesday 1st May - specifically gender reassignment services and approaches in the Capital.” There were a few interesting issues mentioned as part of the discussion, and once again, I could say that I’d learned something new.

After leaving the meeting (when the shop had to be locked up for the evening), we split into two – those heading for a club near Kings Cross, and the rest of us crossed he road to an adjacent pub opposite the Brunswick centre/new hotel. The group managed to occupy most of the (large) top floor. More discussion and ramblings followed, before Caroline & I decided to head with Sarah for the 2315 train back north (second last). We walked up Cartwright Gardens, and along the Euston Road. Caroline took my hand as we walked, both feeling happy, and proud of the moment (as well as each other).

We made it to Kings Cross in enough time, although the M&S Food store guy appeared to be trying to hold up Sarah in the store. This may explain why the three of us boarded the train with seconds left, and then Sarah woke up some half-asleep travellers already onboard with choice words about his work not being to the same level as that of an airborne space scientist. We occupied a set of three seats beside the toilets, and watched as some travellers (worse the wear for partaking of alcohol) tried to work the doors. Once again, a comparison with airborne space scientists was made. The train was fast to Letchworth and Royston only, then continuing to Cambridge (for Sarah) and Ely. We got off just before midnight at Royston, and made our way back to Caroline’s place.

That just about ended part one of this holiday. I don’t know if I can top that… but I am willing to try.