Elizabeth's Excellent Adventures -- The Search for Coffee

I love coffee houses. I do. There is nothing more relaxing than to sit in a comfortable chair, reading and sipping a good cup of coffee. After my last, abbreviated foray into Birmingham, I checked out a couple of likely places in drab -- places that seemed like they'd be at least a little more welcoming to a t-person than the local neighborhood Starbucks.

The first was a bookstore/coffee shop named "Books, Beans and Candles," which bills itself as "Alabama’s largest Metaphysical Coffee shoppe."  I'm not certain there are any other metaphysical coffee shoppes -- or shops, for that matter -- in Alabama, given that the state is not known for its embracing of neo-pagan ideals.  Nevertheless, I found out about this place through safe2pee.org, which maintains an ever-growing database of unisex and family restrooms.  And along the way, in the notes section, it has at times
interesting and useful tid-bits.


In the case of "Books, Beans and Candles," safe2pee said it was trans friendly and the site of the Birmingham Transgender Day of Remembrance.  It is located in the South Side (or Southtown), the area to the South and East of the University of Alabama at Birmingham that is more tolerant and receptive of people like me.  I visited in drab, and while it seemed nice, it didn't do much for my (hypersensitive) comfort level -- in the coffee area, there is one big table, and there were several people sitting around it, people who obviously knew each other.  Even if they were to be trans-friendly, I want a space I can sit anonymously and sip my coffee, if I so desire, and not have to interact with folks if I do not want to.  I can't think of anything less conducive to getting to know "civilians" -- those not in the trans community -- than nervously making small talk while my anxiety builds over ... whatever.

But, if you're into the neo-pagan scene -- with a heavy emphasis on Wicca -- it could be a place where you'd want to hang out.  They even have a section of clothing -- robes, long skirts with moons on them, etc. -- that are pricey, yet appropriate for the Goddess worshiper in us all.  There were even a few in my  size.

A bit dispirited, I headed East, still on the South Side, and out University Blvd, which becomes Clairmont east of the Red Mountain Freeway.  I was kind of half-way looking for a salon where I'd feel comfortable asking for a hair-cut that could do double duty -- styled male for work, female for other times.  (I have a love-hate relationship with wigs.)  Just after the place where Clairmont splits into the Highlands (Highland Dr. and Highland Ave), I spied a Forest Perk Coffee in a small shopping center.  Because I needed caffeine for the ride home, I stopped in, and when I did, I knew my search was over.

Forest Perk has the layout I was looking for --  it's a nice blend of communal (in the front) and private (towards the rear).  In the latter area, are were clusters of two comfy chairs, a large couch, and several individual tables for two.  Plus, the restrooms, though gendered, are single-stall and lockable, the next best thing to unisex/family.  I knew on my next Liz trip to Birmingham, that was where I would go.