“What has changed?” yelled Bobbi LaForge. She brushed the long locks from her face.
The large crowd in front of Georgia’s State Capital Building quickly responded, “Nothing!”
“This is a new millennium, yet we live with the same old prejudges!” She paused for dramatic effect. “Status-quo - is - no - longer - acceptable!”
The crowd roared and cheered.
“We will not let the GLBT people of Georgia become the second-class citizens! We refuse to stay quiet any longer! Vote ‘Yes’ on SR-1886 this Tuesday! Thank you!” Bobbi stepped away from podium.
Lisa Miller, standing nearby, approached Bobbi and gave her a big hug. Then, the two women kissed a long and passionate kiss, then hugged again. “You were wonderful, sweetheart,” Lisa whispered. “The people will pass SR-1886 hands down.”
“Don’t count on it. The Citizens for Morality will not allow GLBT people to get protection in the law. We have to . . .” Lisa pressed her index finger to Bobbi’s lips.
“You’re preaching to the choir again.” Lisa smiled.
“Sorry, sweetie. You know me. I get wound‑up, sometimes.”
“Save that energy for the bedroom.”
“Oh. Okay.” The two women kissed again, while hundreds of people nearby focused their attention on the next speaker.
Another woman approached, catching Bobbi’s attention. “Connie, what did you think of my speech?”
“You laid it on pretty thick, don’t you think?”
Bobbi smiled and shook her head. “I can always count on you to be brutally honest. Yes, you’re right. But, with the election two days away, the gloves have to come off.”
“Don’t give me that,” Connie chuckled. “The gloves came off when SR-1886 was first introduced.”
“True.”
“Oh, don’t forget. We have an election-eve strategy meeting tomorrow night at the Community Center. We need you there.”
“I won’t miss it.”
Lisa interrupted, “Don’t worry. I’ll make sure she gets there.”
At that moment, a bright light from a TV news camera hit Bobbi’s face. Lisa and Connie stepped aside. “Ms. LaForge, how do you feel the chances are for pulling off a victory in Tuesday’s election, considering the polls show a dead heat?”
“Promising.”
“How do you respond to Reverend Bichum and the Citizens for Morality when they say they will fight this bill, even if it passes?”
“They may want to consider getting a life. I know I will.” Bobbi stepped toward Lisa, took her hand and walked away.
----------
Fifteen jasmine-scented candles provided the only illumination in the bedroom of a small, Decatur apartment. Bobbi sat on a makeup table stool, wearing nothing but a pair of panties. Lisa stood behind her, similarly clad, brushing Bobbi’s long hair.
“We need bread and milk,” remarked Lisa.
Bobbi sat, eyes shut, enjoying the gentle strokes of the brush through her hair. “Uh huh.”
“You handled that reporter’s questions rather well tonight.”
“Uh huh.”
“Are you listening to me?”
“Uh huh.” Bobbi giggled.
“You turkey!” Lisa stopped brushing Bobbi’s hair. “Sometimes I don’t know about you!” She feigned being mad, but her smile gave it away.
Bobbi turned on the stool. “Why do you love me?”
Lisa appeared surprised at the question. “What are you talking about?” She sat on the bed with her legs crossed.
“You’re a wonderful, loving woman, who could have any woman you want. But, you chose me, and aging, pre-op transsexual. I’m brash, opinionated, vocal and self-centered.”
Shaking her head, Lisa couldn’t believe what her partner had just said. “What is wrong?”
“Wrong?”
“Yes. Why do you belittle my love for you by asking such a question?”
“I am not a completed woman, yet.”
“And, your point?”
Bobbi stared at the floor. “Being with you is the most wonderful relationship of my life.” She looked up at Lisa. “You make me feel more alive than all the work I could ever do as a transgender activist. Yet . . .”
“‘Yet’ what?”
“I can’t help but feel that I will lose you to someone else.”
Lisa smiled. “For an activist, you’re the most insecure person I have ever known. Come here, please.” She stood as Bobbi approach, then put her arms on Bobbi’s shoulders. “You, also, have been the most wonderful relationship of my life. We have only known each other for a year and been living together for five months, but I cannot imagine how I managed all those other years without you. ‘Lose me’? I don’t think so. You’re stuck with me for a very long time.”
“I have never felt love like this in my life. Even my marriage of sixteen years couldn’t come close. But, I still don’t have a vagina.”
“No ‘buts’, Bobbie. You know what they say? ‘Love knows no boundaries’. I fell in love with your soul and not your body parts, or lack of certain body parts. I fell in love with you, without boundaries.” She leaned in and gave Bobbi a kiss.
Lisa’s kiss sent shivers through Bobbi’s body. Every nerve ending on her skin felt heightened and alive. Her heart raced and her breathing became shallow and rapid.
“I think it’s time for bed,” Lisa suggested.
“I . . .,” Bobbi gasped. “I think . . . you’re right.” Her voice cracked.
----------
“So, where is it we have to go today?” asked Bobbi.
“Since you aren’t working today, I figured we do some shopping and just rest before the meeting tonight.” Lisa slipped into her jeans, then pulled a sweatshirt over her head. “Besides, I need my nails done.”
Looking down, Bobbi glanced at her hands. “Maybe I should get mine done, too. I got to look good tomorrow when I give our victory speech.”
Lisa suddenly stopped brushing her hair and stared at Bobbi. “What? You getting your nails done? Who are you and what have you done with the real Bobbi LaForge?”
“Hey! I’m allowed!”
“You haven’t polished your nails but three times since I’ve known you. Two of those were weddings. But, getting them done? Are you turning into a ‘lipstick-Lesbian’ on me? That’s not like you.”
“It was like me, two years ago. I’ve gone more butch since then.”
“Yeah. It’s one of your ‘endearing qualities’.” Lisa returned to brushing her hair.
“That sounded sarcastic.”
“Good. It was meant to.” She turned and flashed a toothy grin at Bobbi.
After getting dressed, Bobbi asked, “Do you remember what you said last night about me being insecure?”
“Yeah. What about it?”
“I realized something. It takes controlled insecurity to make a good transgender activist.”
“How do you figure?”
“Because we are so insecure about our safety and about being discriminated on the job that we have to fight the source of that insecurity . . . the laws.”
“And, what happens when you finely get all the laws changed and the fight is over? What happens when society finely allows all TG people to live as they want?”
“The fight will never be over. There will always be some aspect of our lives to fight for.”
“This maybe true, but . . . what if?”
Bobbi paused, trying to imagine what life would be without her struggles. “Probably, I’d exchange one set of insecurities for another. I guess I would settle down as a normal woman.”
“‘Normal’? You? You gotta be kidding me! Even if you were assimilated into the Borg collective, you would never become ‘normal’.”
“And, there’s a problem with this?” Bobbi grinned.
“Not in my book.” Lisa leaned closer to Bobbi and gave her a kiss. “Now, let’s go shopping.”
----------
“Are you done, yet?” Bobbi asked, impatiently tapping her toes. “You’ve tried on half the shorts in the store.” She stood outside the dressing room door, reading all the literature on the walls. “Hey. It says here that you could be wearing the wrong bra.”
Lisa stuck her head out of the dressing stall. “I’m not wearing a bra.”
“Good thing. If you were wearing mine, it would be too small for you.”
“Yeah. And, don’t you forget it.” Lisa smiled, then shut the door.
“Bitch,” whispered Bobbi.
“I heard that!”
Deciding to let Lisa try on her clothes in peace, Bobbi found a comfortable chair to sit in. She sat back and watched the people in the store. Even though the stores had all their Christmas decorations out, the Christmas spirit had not yet hit. In early November, most people didn’t feel too Christmassy.
After a few minutes, Bobbi noticed a small man, in his mid-twenties, halfheartedly thumbing through a rack of dresses. He glanced up occasionally and looked at Bobbi, then quickly looked away when he saw her staring back.
Oh, god. It’s someone who’s seen me on television. Just what I need. Think I’ll shake him up a little. Bobbi stood and began looking through the nearest rack, then moved around to another one close to the young man. Before he knew it, she had slid around the rack and stood behind him.
“I don’t think those dresses would look good on you,” Bobbi remarked. Her comment startled him.
“Excuse me.” He hurried off, like a scared rabbit, almost knocking another shopper over.
Bobbi laughed silently.
Lisa returned from the dressing room holding two handfuls of shorts on hangers. “These won’t do. I didn’t like any of them.” She then noticed that Bobbi had a grin on her face. “What are you smiling about?”
“There was a young guy standing here, looking through the dresses, but glancing up at me several times. I snuck up on him, made a comment and scared him off.” She laughed.
“Well, I’ve seen you at your worst and frankly, it scares me, too.” Lisa smiled.
“Thanks. You’re sweet. Do you want to try on the other half of the store, now?”
“Smart-ass. Let’s get our nails done.”
The two women walked through the mall, stopping along the way to glance at the displays. Lisa looked at all the clothing displays, while Bobbi stopped in front of Radio Shack.
Before walking into the nail salon, Bobbi noticed the young man from the clothing store standing further down, watching her. She waved and smiled, then walked in.
“He’s following me,” Bobbi remarked.
“The guy from the store?”
“Yeah. Same one.”
“Think we should let the mall cops know?”
“No. He looks harmless.”
“Don’t ever think that.” The stern look on Lisa’s face showed the seriousness of her statement. “When you’re in the public eye, you have to be very careful. Seemingly innocent things or people could be dangerous. Never, never take anything for grant it.”
“I won’t, but I’m not going to worry about that guy right now.”
“Okay, but be very careful.”
Lisa’s words kept repeating in Bobbi’s mind as the man worked on her nails. She sat at an angle where she could see the doorway, but the young man never once passed by. The two women didn’t see him the rest of the day.
----------
The meeting room at the Community Center quickly filled with the leaders of the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender community of Georgia. With such a wide diversity of people and agendas, no one ever expected this group to work smoothly together. But, they did, and the all-inclusive, anti-discrimination bill, SR-1886, sprang from their efforts.
Connie stood in front of the room. “Okay, everyone. Do you all know your assignments for tomorrow?”
A young man raised his hand. “I’m supposed to drive a dozen people to the polls. Have all those people been reminded of where to be at and at what times?”
“Who are you working with on that?”
“Roxie, and she’s not here.”
“You have her number?”
“Yes.”
“Call her. If any of the rest of you need to confirm your assignments for driving people to the polls, call Roxie.” Connie paused. “Anything else?” Bobbi raised her hand. “Yes, Bobbi?”
Bobbi stood, but before she could speak, an older man walked through the door. The entire group immediately recognized the man as Reverend Bichum.
“Welcome Reverend,” Bobbi remarked, holding back the disdain in her voice.
“May we help you, Reverend?” asked Connie.
“I’m not sitting in the same room with this man!” one man shouted. Others muttered in agreement.
“Wait!” insisted Bobbi. “We’re fighting for equal rights and fair treatment for ALL Georgians. To gain respect, then we must be ready to give it as well. We may not agree with this man’s beliefs, but he is deserving of common human decency. Let’s hear him out.”
Reverend Bichum seemed caught off guard with Bobbi’s speech. “Thank you, Ms. LaForge.” He stopped for a moment to gather his thoughts, appearing much older in person than he looked on television.
“Wow. Something must be bothering you,” Bobbi interrupted. “You never referred to me in female terms before.”
A look of pain appeared on the Reverend’s face. “Every since I was little, I was taught that homosexuality was a mortal sin. Anyone practicing it was to be scorned and their souls would burn in Hell.” Again, he paused.
“As I got older, I felt the calling to spread the word of God and to condemn anyone who practice homosexuality, or those who change their sex.” He looked at Bobbi when he said that. “However, God has ways of giving us ‘attitude adjustments’ as we grow older.” Silence filled the room, as he paused again.
Bobbi broke the silence. “Are you okay, Reverend? You don’t sound too good.”
“My oldest son, Jonathan, who’s 21, told me he’s gay.” A tear rolled down the wrinkled cheek of Reverend Bichum’s face.
Bobbi walked over to the older man and put her hand on his shoulder. “Do you still love him?”
“Yes.”
“Have you rejected him?”
“I can’t. I love him too much. He’s my pride and joy.”
“Then tell him. Children fear telling their parents about being gay or transgender. Imagine the courage it took for him to tell you, after all you have said about gay people.”
“I taught him that courage.”
“Just be thankful he isn’t changing his sex.” Bobbi grinned.
A smile came across Reverend Bichum’s face. “You’re right. I already have two daughters and their weddings will surely bankrupt me. I’d never be able to afford a third daughter.”
Everyone in the room laughed. Then, Bobbi gave the Reverend a hug.
“I’ll let you get back to your meeting,” remarked Bichum. He turned to Bobbi. “I need to warn you. Some of our more radical church members have been discussing ways to disrupt the voting, especially in districts with a high percentage of gay and lesbian voters.”
“Do you know what they have planned?”
“No. They keep to themselves. I’m sorry if I can’t help you any more than that.”
“Thanks, Reverend. You have a good evening. Give your son a hug for us.”
----------
The next day, Bobbi and Lisa got dressed early, in preparation for the election. “I can’t think of a time I was ever this nervous,” Bobbi remarked.
“You’ll be fine, no matter what the outcome of the election will be. I’m still in shock at what Reverend Bichum said last night. Think he’ll change his tune?”
“He’ll probably let others in the church continue spreading hate. I’m more concerned about the warning he gave me.”
“Do you think that man who followed you yesterday is connected to the church?” Lisa could not hide the fear in her voice.
“I don’t know, but I’m betting he is.” Bobbi took Lisa’s hand and gave it an affectionate squeeze. “We must be careful.”
“Okay. Let’s vote. Remember, we’re supposed to meet Channel 4 Action News at nine.”
“I know. Time to put my game face on.”
----------
Lisa and Bobbi arrived at Peachtree High School where the voting booths had been set up for their district. The Channel 4 Action News truck had parked near the building, with their broadcast mast extended high into the air. Once the reporter saw Bobbi get out of the car, she hurried over to greet her.
“Ms. LaForge. My name is Brenda West. When would you like to do an interview? Before or after you vote?”
“After. I’ll be less nervous then.”
Bobbi and Lisa walked into the voting area, signed in and walked over to booths set up in the middle of the floor. Five minutes later, they emerged from the booths and gave their computer cartridges to the person collecting them. A couple of photographers snapped pictures, while Channel 4’s cameraman caught it on video. Then, the couple stepped outside while still holding hands.
Brenda West stood beside the camera and asked, “Ms. LaForge, what are your plans for the rest of the day?”
“My friends and I are going to sit by the television, eat pizza and watch the election results between talk shows and the news.”
“I understand there is a reception at the Sheridan Hotel tonight for supporters of SR-1886. Will you be there?”
“You bet! We plan on arriving at six, tonight, and . . .” Bobbi stopped. She looked terrified.
“Ms. LaForge?”
Turning to Lisa, Bobbi yelled, “It’s him!” She pointed at the corner of the building. There stood the young man Bobbi had seen at the mall. He reached behind his back and pulled out a .38 semiautomatic pistol.
“He’s got a gun!” screamed Lisa.
The news crew turned to focus on the man.
Lisa rushed to shield Bobbi, pushing her to the ground. Bobbi could not stop her. Brenda West also dropped to the ground.
“Don’t protect me!” shouted Bobbie.
“Shut up!” Lisa’s strength doubled from adrenaline.
“Stop! I’m the police!” the young man hollered. Lisa and Bobbi stared, surprised at what he said. They turned in the opposite direction to see another man with a gun, pointing at Bobbi’s unprotected side.
A shot rang out, fired from the young police officer’s weapon. The bullet hit the other man in the left shoulder, knocking him to the ground. As the police officer rushed to subdue the gunman, he sat up, pointed the gun at the officer and fired. Blood splattered from the back of the officer, as the bullet entered and exited his right side. He fell back.
Without pausing, the gunman turned and pointed the gun at Bobbi on the ground. Blood poured from his left shoulder. “You will join your fag friends . . . IN HELL!”
Lisa screamed, “NO!” But, the sound of two bullets drowned her cry. One entered the gunman’s head from the staggering police officer. The other slug slammed into Bobbi’s side, shattering her left lung and heart, lodging in her right lung.
Lisa turned Bobbi over. Blood gushed from her nose and mouth. “Bobbi! Don’t die, damnit! Don’t you fucking die on me!”
“I . . . love . . . you . . . , sweetheart. I . . . love . . .”
Tears poured from Lisa’s eyes, mixing with Bobbi’s blood. “I love you, too, darling. No boundaries. Remember? I’ll always love you.” She hugged Bobbi tightly. “No boundaries,” she whispered.
----------
“Today, SR-1886 passed easily with a six to one margin after the entire state witnessed the brutal, on-camera murder of Bobbi LaForge, a local transgender activist. Reverend Thomas Bichum expressed his sadness and outrage at the murder. He vowed to disband the Citizens for Morality and said he would work closely with the gay community to bridge the gap in understanding.
“Officer Brett Green, the undercover officer assigned to protect Ms. LaForge, is said to be in good condition at Grady Hospital with surprisingly minor injuries.
“Also, the victory celebration for SR-1886, scheduled for the Sheridan Hotel, was canceled once the news of Ms. LaForge’s murder had been announced. Ms. LaForge was fifty-four.
“This is John Reiss reporting for Channel 4 Action News.”
--- THE END ---
