Kathleen and I don’t spend enough time in Montréal.

Yes, Toronto will always have my heart, but Montréal is arguably Canada’s only actual city. At least, it’s the only one that carries itself as if it’s comfortable with the designation and it very much shows.

The second-last time Kathleen and I visited was for three days in June 2022. It was partially a mini-vacation in between COVID flare-ups and partially for a higher purpose: to get my ears pierced!

I had come out fully two months before and had long wanted to get them done. I’m hardly unique: it’s often among the first things any trans woman does on coming out (if they hadn’t already). Kathleen suggested that we go somewhere good instead of choosing the time-honoured tradition of Claire’s at the mall. She and a good friend of hers had gone to Mauve for many of their own piercings and it seemed like a great way to start.

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