Today I met a friend and we visited the university's queer support centre to see if we could get any pride badges or ribbons to give out at an upcoming event. We didn't find any, but we did have some nice conversations, and one of them was extremely funny and validating, so I wanted to share it.

As you might expect, the queer support centre views sex and bodies in a positive light, and it gives out free condoms and tampons to students, available in small decorated boxes near the entrance for people to take.

I saw lots of small wrapped cylinders in the box, about the size and shape of my index finger from the tip to the second joint. I picked one up and asked my friend, "do you know what this is?"

They told me it was a tampon.

I stuttered. "Ah. I see. That, makes sense. That's what I expected. Uh, I'm asking because I've never seen one in real life before. Because I, uh, don't need to use them."

They laughed. "Ahaha, oh right, of course. I keep forgetting that you haven't always been a woman."

I froze, then began to laugh uncontrollably with joy.

— Cadence