Like most human beings, transgender people like to eat.

That may seem to be an unnecessary statement, but apparently, it is one that eludes most restaurant owners.

One of my favorite pastimes is to meeting another trans person for lunch. I love conversation and making new friends.

The question always lingering, though, is the restaurant we are having lunch at welcoming to a trans clientele?

That may be, or at least should be, a ridiculous question. But unlike our gay brothers and sisters, we in the trans community have a tendency to "stick out" among the other diners who are mostly cis.

While we certainly don't generally have to face the blatant Jim Crow-like racism that Blacks endured for generations, the trans community certainly is a target for bigots and transphobes. I know I'm not telling you anything you don't already know.

So, when plans are being made for a lunch date, the first question in my mind is: Is this restaurant safe for us?

Thus far, I've had no bad experiences while dining out. Every place I've gone to dressed in girlmode has not treated my or my luncheon companion any differently than any other patron. They may be making comments or snickering out of sight of us, but at least they've been courteous to our faces. Sometimes, almost TOO courteous, as if to prove they mean us no harm.

Even though I've been lucky so far, I wish choosing a place to eat didn't depend upon luck.

Which brings me to my question to you all:

Is there a handy-dandy guide for trans-friendly restaurants in Michigan?

Doing a Google search will bring up lists of LGBTQ welcoming eateries, but nothing specifically trans-centric. As mentioned previously, we don't have the luxury of many gay people of not standing out among the cis diners. Usually, we are pretty easy to spot.

And the only list I found that specifically provides a list of transgender friendly restaurants (on the HER site), puts such generic restaurants as Olive Garden and Red Lobster at the top of their list! Not exactly helpful unless you want bland Italian or questionable seafood.

So I turn to you, my friends. What local Michigan restaurants do you want to single out as safe spaces for trans people who simply want to eat a good meal without looking over their shoulder?

I appreciate it, and who knows--I may even meet you there sometime!

-- Anni