MEET SHORE
“There was such a loving accepting community that had been established [at The Overlook] that no one batted an eyelash when one day I showed up in a dress. I thought, these people both like and love me, why shouldn’t I love myself?”
There she sat, at bar she’d never been to, in a place she knew no one, and a body she never asked for. Most of us know the uncomfortable feeling of being new to town, but what is it like to carry around a soul in a container that never really fit?
Shore’s story with Gorilla Cinema started like many— just moved to Cincinnati, wandered into the Overlook Lodge [the first Gorilla bar], and sat alone for a few minutes before being swiftly welcomed by the surrounding regulars. These weren’t your typical regulars though, they were #overlookkeyholders, expected to uphold certain standards like making new guests feel welcome.
Shore was new in her career in the creative field, was a little shy, extremely well spoken, and presented as a young male professional looking for connection and friendship. As we grew to know her, she began to feel like this new city was the opportunity to be honest with herself, let the walls down a bit, and begin an honest journey to explore her gender and identity.
4 years later, as we sit with her for this interview sipping margaritas on the patio of La Ofrenda Tequila [the fifth Gorilla bar], it feels like dusting off a long buried time capsule and looking back at the stories of a person who after a lifetime feeling like they couldn’t express who they really are, is pretty damn comfortable with it now.
Where Shore’s short flat-ironed side swept hair once was, long blond curls fall, and where uncertain eyes once lay, a beautifully confident set glisten boldly with glittery gold shadow.
She shares with us that she feels lucky. To have the support of her family and her friends, and even her workplace. And that there are so many trans people who live behind a shadow of who they’re supposed to be, with very few ways out. No matter your status, the journey to transition is difficult.
“When I first started, I wasn’t passing. I looked like a boy in a dress. Hairy legs, no clue how to style my body. It was really uncomfortable. It was like watching a baby deer learning to walk.
I decided to start hormone therapy a few months before the pandemic and that was another blessing in disguise because at least I was able to go through puberty [again, literally] while the world was shut down and with the support of my roommate Heatherlyn [AKA former Manager at Overlook/Lonely Pine and her plutonic “life wife”.] Did I cry? Every day. Mostly over other puppies on Instagram. But going into this summer coming out of quarantine, I feel the most “me” I’ve ever felt.
It’s hot girl summer and I’m ready to be a hot girl. Both us and the cicadas were in the ground for a while but we’re out now and ready to fly.”
Join us in celebrating this moment in time where a transgender woman is able to share her story on a platform that will reach thousands. Though the victory is small, and not everyone is yet able to do so, we hope that through continued awareness, education and tolerance, more LGBTQ folks will be embraced and supported to live their truth.
Shore’s organization of choice is TRANSFORM CINCY, which provides free clothing and wardrobes to transgender and gender non-conforming youth. Gorilla Cinema will be making a donation in her name and we encourage you to do the same!