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Trash and Trevor: Trevor Ashley - Travels with my Scooter

I think the main difference between myself and other boys at high school was obvious. Puberty kicked in and I realised that there was something that set me apart from others, something that made them "normal" and me not. In Year Seven it wasn’t so bad, because at that time it was something you dreamed about, but it wasn't legal. It was forbidden fruit. But, by Year Ten, the testosterone had kicked in and boys in my year were all buying motoring magazines, and I was reading Dolly. Yes, it's true. They all had a burning desire... to drive. And I did not. Most of them turned 16 and rushed straight to the RTA to get their learners, often on their birthday. I auditioned for roles at Rockdale Musical Society. By the time we reached Year Eleven and Twelve many of them drove to school. I was still stuck with my bus pass and a twenty minute walk from the stop. But it really didn't bother me. I eventually got my learners when I was almost 18, got in the car once to drive, hated it so much I never did it again writes Trevor Ashley in SX News.

I moved to Redfern when I was 18, and newly gay. Public transport was close, but I have an aversion to it. I hate it so much in fact that I would prefer to have sex with a woman than take a train. So taxis were my only option, especially since half the times I left the house I was wearing a dress. I was in a dress at the Imperial one night when my dear friend Morgan explained to me that he had decided to go for his motorcycle license. By this time I was 24, and just basically couldn't be arsed waiting around for all those months to get to actually drive a car by yourself. It seemed a huge waste of time. Morgan said, “No, this is the great thing: on a motorcycle you can get your learners and drive by yourself immediately!".

"But motorcycles are dangerous Morgs," I replied trying to sound responsible rather than girly.

"Ohh I'm not going to be driving a big motorcycle," said Morgan plainly. "I was just going to get myself one of those gay little scooters to zip around town in."

Ahhhh, I thought. Now there's an idea. The plusses were endless: scooters are cheap, you pay $5 a week in petrol, plus there's the independence, and Mitzi had just made me a fabulous new Charlie's Angels' style grand prix onesie. And, motorcycle riders are hot. I could pick up more boys if I drove a bike.

"Ok," I said to Morgs. "How do I get my licence?"

The RTA requires that you complete a two afternoon course in riding a motorcycle before you are able to get your actual license. Sadly only about three RTAs offer this in Sydney, and the one with the shortest wait time was in Lidcombe. Lidcombe. It was so far away, I had to leave the onesie at home and take a (gulp) train, all the way out there. Upon arrival, they would provide me with a vehicle, and would give me a comprehensive two-day training program where I would learn how to drive it. Signing on, I was the only person who had requested a scooter. The eight or ten others (all straight boys) kinda laughed at me, but having a butch, card-carrying member or the Dykes on Bikes as our instructor helped me get through. After two difficult afternoons, and four gruelling train rides, I was ready to take on the world. Well, if not the world at least a direct route from Redfern to Oxford street, going at my bikes maximum speed, 50kms an hour. Morgan and I bought matching bikes (so as we could do formation riding) and started zipping around town.  

The feeling was incredible! The speed was addictive, I loved the wind in my face, and the ability to rush places quickly without it costing me at least $!0 a trip was a bonus. Sadly, my dream of being a sexy man on a bike didn't quite work out. My friend Neil said one day, “God, men on scooters are hot... except for you.»Stuff it, I thought. For the first time I had my independence and a yearning to drive. Plus, a vehicle to match my dress. What more does a girl need?

Source: http://sxnews.e-p.net.au/opinion/trash-and-trevor-trevor-ashley-6195.html