Update On the Journey of My Life

"Mercedes Streeter" (smart) 06/25/2015 at 10:48 • Filed to: Transition

23

52

Hiya Oppo! Many of you know that 8 months ago, !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! The support and love I received was paramount to my getting started and who I am today.

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

After a !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! , I did disappear from these digital pages. I’m sorry to those who follow me, not sorry to the ones responsible for my disappearance.

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

The past months have been the best in my entire life. I started my HRT, I met the greatest woman on the entire Earth, and I’m finally happy and content with my life. Most of every day is a day I enjoy so much. Especially the days I get to spend with my Miss Tesla .

Not every road taken was an easy one. I lost all of my friends (and now I have better friends!), my family is still coming to terms with a new me, and starting out was so stressful that I failed out of one of my classes last quarter.

But it’s all worth it. :)

I disappeared from Oppo because of the hostility from some of the newer commenters here and on the Front Page. Many times when I post a picture of my car or defend it, I receive some of the most hateful comments this side of YouTube. I get told not to go back to Jezebel to “complain about the patriarchy” and similar sexist stuff. I don’t even read Jezebel articles!

Shoot, in some of my latest Oppo updates, they were even hating on me being trans. I ended up getting well acquainted with the dismiss buttons.

Eventually, it just wasn’t fun anymore. I mean, if I can’t even talk about the car I love on a car loving forum, then there’s no point. So I found a new safe haven at GroupThink.

Recently, I’ve noticed that Oppo now also has a Kinja address, this gives me hope that maybe my second go at this won’t be as awful. :)

Hot Takes Salesman > Mercedes Streeter 06/25/2015 at 10:51

6

Don’t go on the FP. It is a dangerous place, far from the safe reaches of Oppo’s Rule Number 1 (Don't be a dick!).

CB > Mercedes Streeter 06/25/2015 at 10:51

0

People suck and can be completely awful. Happy to hear that you’re doing well!

Denver Is Stuck In The 90s > Mercedes Streeter 06/25/2015 at 10:52

2

Ive always wanted to ask you; what does a smart car handle like? Every time I drive behind one, they always seem to handle like a gokart

jkm7680 > Mercedes Streeter 06/25/2015 at 10:52

1

I’m sorry that people haven’t been the kindest to you :/

Keep doing what you’re doing and just remember, we support you all the way!

Leon711 > Mercedes Streeter 06/25/2015 at 10:53

1

Welcome back! I like the vortex generators on the smart, it looks kickass!

crowmolly > Mercedes Streeter 06/25/2015 at 10:55

1

Welcome back! I’m glad you are doing well and seem to be in a good place.

CalzoneGolem > Mercedes Streeter 06/25/2015 at 10:55

3

While I don’t understand your choice to drive the Smart I fully support you in doing so. Let your freak flag fly baby!

Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. > Mercedes Streeter 06/25/2015 at 10:55

7

As far as I’m concerned the car people drive means nothing if they have enthusiasm for it. I also drive a tiny car with a tiny engine and love the thing. I’m all for light-hearted jokes about each others vehicles, but hating is pointless.

Also as far as your life choices go, I don’t see why that should matter to anyone. It’s great that you’re happier in your own skin, that’s all that matters in the end.

Funktheduck > Mercedes Streeter 06/25/2015 at 10:56

1

Welcome back. I was wondering where you went. FP people tend to suck in general. I really wish there were huge, public outings and subsequent shaming of some of the people on the Internet. Just gotta do it often enough to keep people in check.

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > Denver Is Stuck In The 90s 06/25/2015 at 10:57

1

They reportedly understeer like pigs

ScatterOfLight22 > Mercedes Streeter 06/25/2015 at 10:57

1

Some people can be a bunch of meatheads! I’m so sorry that they were so awful. You are awesome from the posts I’ve seen from you. And I love your car!

Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap > Mercedes Streeter 06/25/2015 at 10:58

1

I’m sorry about the people that weren’t so nice. As long as you’re happy with the choices you’ve made, I don’t see anything wrong with it.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Mercedes Streeter 06/25/2015 at 10:59

2

Welcome back, I’m sorry to hear people were being terrible.

Do your best to notify one of the mods before disappearing next time. (note: I’m not one of them). The good news is you can always email them at: oppomoderator@gmail.com

I’m sure I speak for everyone in the idea that we’d much rather keep you around than them. Give us a chance to fight back with you!

Also, is no one going to comment on the fact that you said Miss Tesla ? What Tesla is she driving? lol S? P85D?

Leon711 > Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. 06/25/2015 at 11:00

1

of course the new Twingo and Smart siblings now.

Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. > Leon711 06/25/2015 at 11:02

0

Indeed they are. I need to send Renault many letters telling them to hurry up with the RS version already. They can even share parts and make a new Brabus Smart or something.

LongbowMkII > Mercedes Streeter 06/25/2015 at 11:02

1

I hope this stay is much more successful!

Lumpy44, Proprietor Of Fine Gif > Mercedes Streeter 06/25/2015 at 11:02

2

Welcome back! stay away from the FP. Oppo is no longer a Jalopnik sub-blog so hopefully the idiots and “I made $436345345 dollars yesterday” people stay away.

$kaycog > Mercedes Streeter 06/25/2015 at 11:08

2

Nice to see you on Oppo again! You always have friends here.

blacktruck18 > Mercedes Streeter 06/25/2015 at 11:11

1

Welcome back, sorry that people were shitty, but, fuck ‘em.

It sounds like you are happy and in a good place. That is all that matters.

HammerheadFistpunch > Mercedes Streeter 06/25/2015 at 11:21

4

Welcome back. Not a defense for those who make fun of your car, but it may be the case that defending a smart to most car people will always be hard in the same way that defending a land cruiser to most environmentalists will always be hard. I might even go so far to say, with a tongue in cheek, that you will likely find more natural tolerance for your transgender identity than for your choice in cars these days. All joking aside, we’re glad your back and I hope to be a contributor to making and keeping oppo a safe and solid place for the awesome diversity and [general] tolerance here (for cars and life).

Rainbow > Mercedes Streeter 06/25/2015 at 11:22

3

A while ago I came out as trans on the front page. (As of now, I’ve decided I actually don’t know what* I am and I don’t really care.)

It was met with so much hate and ignorance (multiple people said stuff like, “So if I decide I want to be a washing machine, does that make me a washing machine?” and then pretended to be offended when I told them that that’s impossible since there was never a chance of them being born as a washing machine in the first place, so there’s no way for their brain to be “programmed” that way. They just didn’t want to understand.) that I still hardly ever go to the FP, and that was probably two or three years ago.

I think things have gotten much better now, though.

*for lack of a better word

VonBelmont > Mercedes Streeter 06/25/2015 at 11:30

1

Smarts are awesome. You’re awesome.

Pixel > Mercedes Streeter 06/25/2015 at 11:34

1

Sorry people were asshats, glad to hear you are back and that your life is going well overall.

R Saldana [|Oo|======|oO|] - BTC/ETH/LTC Prophet > Mercedes Streeter 06/25/2015 at 11:44

3

I am saddened by the recent acquisition of trolls on Oppo. I have avoided posting for the last 3 weeks due to the craziness surrounding the Jenner update, the insane attack on a failed revolution’s flag, and the recent mistrial in the Vanderbilt rape case.

I have zero understanding of what you are going through, Miss Mercedes, but I am happy your have found some happiness. I pray that your family will quickly shed their preconceived notions about you and remember that first and foremost you are family.

I still have a hard time keeping the pronouns and gender connotations correct in writing, so please forgive me if I have made a LBGTQ-unfriendly error.

I am learning that know more than ever in life all things in life are becoming as water.

x87172 > Mercedes Streeter 06/25/2015 at 11:52

1

Welcome back.

I’m not going to apologize for anyone else making fun of you or your smart vehicle choice (because you deserve to hear it from them), so all I will tell you is...

Welcome back. I really mean it.

Skamanda > Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. 06/25/2015 at 11:57

1

I gotta say, most of me wants to chuckle at your car, but white painted steelies actually look pretty slick...

Skamanda > Denver Is Stuck In The 90s 06/25/2015 at 11:58

1

I’m curious, too...They seem like they’d have a TON of body roll...

Skamanda > Mercedes Streeter 06/25/2015 at 12:07

1

Small car owners unite!

Congrats on your transition. It’s something a lot of people feel they can’t pull off without losing everything they’ve built up - even if friends and family would be accepting, employers generally aren’t, despite company policies not allowing discrimination. It’s good to see more and more people that are in a position to fully embrace such a change in their lives.

Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. > Skamanda 06/25/2015 at 12:21

1

Haha I had to do something to make it my own.

desertdog5051 > Mercedes Streeter 06/25/2015 at 12:26

1

For the most part we are all a pretty open, tolerant group. Welcome back.

64Mali > Mercedes Streeter 06/25/2015 at 12:41

1

Welcome back. I recommend this decal on your car

Midget Cars Unite.

also Eff the haters.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Rainbow 06/25/2015 at 13:10

4

Just like mkbruin, I didn’t know about your post on the FP.

Just happy that you (just like I am about Mercedes) are happy being yourself and that you feel welcome on OPPO.

I’ve been on OPPO for probably 4+ years and want it to be nothing but a welcoming and accepting place. I’m glad you feel things are getting better!

Mercedes Streeter > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner 06/25/2015 at 14:19

0

Aww, thanks so much! It was a little more than haters on Kinja. With the stress of my family and losing the friends I held so close, I stopped using most social networks. I was depressed enough. But with my transition settling down, I’ve begun opening up those old dusty tabs, most notably Reddit and Oppo. If I run into further trouble, I’ll be sure to let you know! :)

“Miss Tesla” is the identity I gave my girlfriend. Part of it was to further confuse people who are unsure if Mercedes is my new name (it is) or if it’s because I like Mercedes-Benz (true).

When we met, she said her favorite car in the whole world is the Model S. But then I told her about the P85D. And you know, now she wants the...

Mercedes Streeter > Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. 06/25/2015 at 14:28

0

That’s how I feel! It doesn’t matter what wheels you have (heck, I can’t even deny that I really liked the custom colored Aztec from Breaking Bad), as long as you’re passionate about them.

It seems most here follow that mantra, but I keep bumping heads with the basically the Kinja version of /r/Cars members. Even worse that they try to use gender against me.

I’m hoping the new Kinja association means the assholes stay on the FP, not here. :)

Also, I didn’t white steelies could look that good. Little Twingo looks almost rally spec. :D

Mercedes Streeter > Denver Is Stuck In The 90s 06/25/2015 at 14:39

0

Mercedes-Benz likes to err on the side of safety, so a factory fresh smart? Handling will range from horrible to sketchy.

But give it properly wide tires? It’s absolutely hilarious! I can enter a clover junction at 70 mph and exit at 80 mph. Heck yes, I’ll still compare it to a go kart. Rear engine, rear drive, unassisted steering, flappy paddle gearbox? Either it’s a mini Porsche, or a go kart for the road.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Mercedes Streeter 06/25/2015 at 14:43

0

HAhaha

Well, I’m glad you’re in a good enough place that your back where you want to be. Don’t be afraid to email the mods to bring someone who is in violation of rule #1 of OPPO to their attention, sometimes you need more than the dismiss button - you need to know someone is with you and has your back.

I’m glad you’re in a happier place, in social media, and more importantly - your life.

Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. > Mercedes Streeter 06/25/2015 at 14:58

0

Yeah I was strangely drawn to the Aztec too...

There’s always the odd one who’s a bit of an idiot, in fact I got warned for making fun of one yesterday... But you can often avoid them pretty easily and the mods are usually quick to fix it. Not sure if it’s changed a lot since being seperated from the FP, but 99.9% of people on here will be friendly and make said idiots feel unwelcome.

Thanks haha, it really improved over the rubbish plastic caps it came with.

Mercedes Streeter > Rainbow 06/25/2015 at 14:59

1

The Front Page commenters were really depressing. “If a man can be a woman, why can’t Rachel Dolezal be black?”

*Sigh*

I’m SO glad that stuff is no longer getting media attention. It was hard enough with the media frenzy with Caitlyn Jenner.

You rock Rainbow!!! :)

Mercedes Streeter > R Saldana [|Oo|======|oO|] - BTC/ETH/LTC Prophet 06/25/2015 at 15:11

0

Miss Tesla and I both kinda went into hiding with the Caitlyn Jenner thing. We both predicted that it would start off great (it did), then quickly nose dive into nonsense (it did).

The problem still remains that most cis people expect so much out of trans people that the word “passing” is important to the transitions of many. For most “normal” people, Laverne Cox and Caitlyn Jenner are the “poster children” for what trans people should look like. Which is just bad because most trans people will never be able to get the surgeries they had. I mean, I know I do pass (I’ve only ever been misgendered in public once), but that’s not what trans is about.

Mercedes Streeter > CalzoneGolem 06/25/2015 at 15:13

1

Muahahahahaha that’s like the weirdest/coolest compliment ever. Thank you. :3

CalzoneGolem > Mercedes Streeter 06/25/2015 at 15:24

0

Glad to be of service!

Leon711 > Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. 06/25/2015 at 15:24

0

10/10 would part ex the GTI for a rs twingo.

Mercedes Streeter > HammerheadFistpunch 06/25/2015 at 15:25

0

Sadly, I do think you’re correct! I live in a rather progressive state, and outside of my own family and friends, I haven’t received any hate in real life. Like, not a single person. There was one time that some kids pointed and laughed at me, but to be honest, I did look really boy-ish that day (and I didn’t have my makeup down right back then).

But shit, my car? I’ve even had a tow truck try his best to run me off the road. :( Hopefully my comeback will be as wonderful as it used to be! :)

Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. > Leon711 06/25/2015 at 16:44

0

ARE YOU LISTENING RENAULT WE ALL WANT ONE.

Svart Smart, traded in his Smart > Mercedes Streeter 06/25/2015 at 16:50

0

Yay, welcome back!

Mercedes Streeter > $kaycog 06/25/2015 at 17:16

1

I know! There are some truly wonderful people here, many of which I’ve met in real life. So when I say you all have had a positive impact, I do mean it. <3

$kaycog > Mercedes Streeter 06/25/2015 at 17:22

0

I’m so glad to hear that.

Mercedes Streeter > Skamanda 06/25/2015 at 17:23

0

I almost lost everything in this journey. I lost my best friends of 8 years. However, every step was a necessary one. Those people weren’t good to me. They were my best friends, but they treated me so bad. I mean, one of them told me this the day before I made my original coming out post on Oppo:

“You act too much like a woman. You’re not a woman and you will never be a woman. You’re a man, so fucking act like one.”

That is a text message I’ll remember forever, even if I never see those people ever again. :(

I could not imagine where I would be had it not been for the awesome people here (and at GroupThink) and the few I can call my real friends. :)

And my workplace exceeded my expectations. Not only are they fully behind my transition, but I even got that promotion I’ve been wanting so badly. :)

Off/on topic, how is the Mini? I want to drive one so bad. :D

Skamanda > Mercedes Streeter 06/25/2015 at 17:32

0

I’m glad it’s worked out so well for you. That first step is terrifying to take...

The Mini is a blast! The most fun car I’ve ever owned. It’s not quite as tail-happy as the normal hardtop, but honestly I think that makes it better to drive as a DD. I’ve upgraded it a bit, so it’s even more fun! I’ve upgraded the handling most (adjustable rear sway-bar and end-links, stainless brake lines, upgraded pads, slotted rotors), but I’ve also added a short throw shifter, and taken some bits out of the exhaust to make it louder (why not? they had the exhaust down to install the shifter, anyway!). That, and some cosmetic personalization, and it’s pretty well along it’s journey...Now if only I could afford to finish it up, so I can make it my track toy! heh...

It’s only another....yeah I don’t wanna think about how much more that’ll cost... :(

Mercedes Streeter > Skamanda 06/25/2015 at 17:58

0

Ironically, I would not have even come out if it were not for those hateful friends. I was going to keep it a secret forever. :(

Muahahahaha that sounds like me with my smart...just. one. more. mod.

I’ve never talked to anyone who owns a Clubman before, so I’ve always wondered how they were! That, and I’ve always wanted to drive a Mini, both the BMW ones and the old school ones. :)

I still need a turbo, to change the panel colours to pink, change the wheel lips to match the panels...Oh gosh...The list goes on.

Though, I’m super excited that the new smarts are going to have a full manual transmission, so I’m debating with myself on whether or not I should trade little Tucker in.

Skamanda > Mercedes Streeter 06/25/2015 at 18:06

0

The Clubman is....different. It’s so much roomier than the hardtop. When I bought it, I test drove every model at the time (2011), and the first thing I did was get into the back seat of all of them. I’m tall (6’3”ish), and I haul things, and I’ve got friends to bring along, so I wanted to make sure people could actually USE the back seat. The hardtop’s back seat is a joke. Honestly, if I owned one, I’d probably keep it folded all the time. It’s a pain to get into and out of the back, and the trunk is so small you can’t even fit a spare tire in it without the seat folded down. The Countryman was the one I thought I’d want, because I’m in love with doing donuts in the snow, so AWD makes me giggle, but....it drove like my dad’s Chevy HHR. OK, not COMPLETELY like the HHR, but it was definitely closer to that than any other MINI. The Clubman still has the same sporty handling as the hardtop, but doesn’t feel like it wants to spin around on you when you’re at the limit. Plus, when I let a friend drive it, and I sat in the back behind a guy who’s 6’7”, I still had enough room to not be pressed against the seats!

If you can stiffen the suspension enough to keep a Smart from rolling too much, you should definitely trade up to the new one with the stick. It’d just be too funny to see a Smart car out on a track, or at an autocross!

Rainbow > Mercedes Streeter 06/25/2015 at 19:44

0

As do you! :D