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Tao and Elle were at a LGBT society event at their university. Elle had spent a couple of months organising it along with the other people on the LGBT society committee and she was incredibly proud of how it turned out in the end. Usually it would only be LGBT people at the events except for Tao who always came along being Elle’s boyfriend and an ‘ultra ally’ as he had been dubbed by other members, although this event seemed to garner more people then usual. It was almost certainly the fact that it was a party event rather then the smaller, quieter events that were often done as to cater for everyone.
A boy approached Tao and Elle as they were sat in a corner just talking and occasionally sharing a chaste kiss, taking a few moments out of the main party just to themselves. They had seen this boy — Dom, Tao thinks his name is — around before at other LGBT society events and they were aware of each other but they wouldn’t say they were exactly best friends, acquaintances at most. One thing that is a pretty well known fact within the LGBT society is that Tao is very straight. The token cishet friend if you will.
As Dom got closer and started to talk that’s when Tao realised that this fact wasn’t as well known as he thought.
“Oh Tao I didn’t realise you were gay.” he said nonchalantly.
“Oh. I’m not, I’m very much the token cishet friend but I could see how that could be assumed considering-“ Tao started.
“You’re dating a trans girl.” Dom said with complete confidence in his voice cutting Tao off.
Tao and Elle look at each other in complete shock, stunned to silence for a few moments that felt like hours.
“I was actually going to say because this is an LGBT society party, or my flamboyant personality, maybe the fact that my entire friendship group from back home is queer, or even my penchant for queer movies — they’re usually incredibly well written and acted — but you assuming that I’m queer because I’m dating Elle, happily dating Elle for five years may I add, is seeing her as less then a woman which screams transphobia. You’d have thought that a queer man would know better, wouldn’t you? Clearly not.” Tao said getting more frustrated as he made his point.
Elle spoke up for the first time in this interaction as Dom started to walk away, “Oh and Dom. Transphobia isn’t welcome in the LGBT society you’re not welcome back.”
Elle snuggled her back into Tao’s torso and pulled his arm further round her.
“I thought I’d be safe from that here. I thought we’d be safe here. This isn’t providing a safe space for other queer people.” She said looking at Tao as she spoke.
“You are creating a safe space Elle he’s been around the LGBT society for ages you had no way to know he was transphobic without him saying something like that and as soon as he did you told him he was no longer welcome that’s the best you can do. I’m just sorry it was us he targeted.” Tao said pulling Elle in for a tighter hug.
“I love you.” She said.
“I love you too, always.” He responded placing a gentle kiss on her head.