I'm sorry, but when the fuck did the Northeastern US become the troon mecca? What did I miss? Even ignoring the general liberal air and blue status the area is famous for, it just feels like the trans shit has an iron grip in this part of the world unlike anything I can compare it to, and not just in the metro areas and universities. I'll even take it one step further and say that New England feels particularly overrun with the fat, tall men dressing like a porn star types.
At the risk of PLing, I've been back and forth pretty frequently as of the last few years for work and also personal matters, but when I talk to other regional natives and friends in addition to my own observations and experiences, I'm positive I'm not just imagining things. It's now becoming impossible to ignore the steadily increasing amount of low-effort, embarrassing-looking troon or genderspecial types out and about everywhere. I've only run into a few pooners that I'm aware of, but they feel harder to clock in passing and I just assume they're effeminate men or butch lesbian types up until we interact.
Up until what felt like only a few months ago, I've gone from running into the occasional blink-or-you'll-miss-them, bless-their-heart-at-least-they're-trying transwoman once in a blue moon, to encountering unmistakable, 6'5 middle-aged obese dudes in party city wigs and midi dresses in almost every retail or service setting. 8/10 times they're my server at a restaurant I'm patronizing with colleagues, family or friends. My interactions with most of them, though usually pretty brief, have been relatively pleasant, but, christ, a significant chunk of them have zero people skills.
A few years ago, my once-closest friend of twenty years made a decision to move home and pursue their master's degree in Boston. Within six months, they announced plans to transition from male to female. What was so strange about this entire situation to myself and our friend group was that it was extremely swift, sudden and dedicated and none of us could get to the bottom of why they felt as if this was the answer to their prayers. Despite being bi, they were confident in their gender and never previously questioned their identity in such a blatant way. I wanted to believe they were just trying to fit in or maybe having a crisis but the more I'd try to pry, there more I'd get pushed away. What the hell is so enticing about this lifestyle?