America Needs More Childfree Cat Ladies

I don’t usually wear shirts with political slogans.  But JD Vance’s comments about childless cat ladies hit a nerve with me, being as how I’m essentially a childFREE cat lady with male organs.  I shouldn’t have spent the money on that shirt; I’d already forked down thousands of dollars on home repairs and renovations.  But I couldn’t not, especially while my amygdala was taking the driver’s seat (probably not the best time to make major decisions, but that’s what it is).
​
The shirt made its way to my door on Saturday, so I was wearing it on Sunday.  I’d gone down to the Dupont Circle area to meet a friend.  While on the subway, nobody even gave it a second look.  Once I exited to the platform, I made like a peacock and raised my feathers.  One woman smiled at me.

Before meeting my friend, I walked around the Farmer’s Market (best Farmer’s Market I’ve ever been to, by the way).  One woman looked at it and said, “We do!” I gave a thumbs up with a tight fist, the best thumbs-up ever, IMHO.  A few more smiles.  A couple of askance looks (we do get a lot of tourists).  And one woman selling jewelry asked me where I got the shirt and commented, “That came out quickly!”  Sadly, there was no merch that caught my fancy. My friend liked my shirt, and we caught up.

Later that afternoon, I made my way back to Bethesda, where I did my weekly grocery shop.  The city is very political.  The suburbs, not so much.  I did a smile from a teenage girl with her mother (future Childfree?) and another lady in the parking lot.  The man with the wife and kid looked briefly, but then looked away.  Discomfort, maybe?

I’ve written about Singles Studies for years, but the primal part of me likes to gauge the reactions of everyday folks when I respond, “I’m happily solo” to the “Are you married?” question and “I’m Childfree by Choice” to the “Do you have kids?” question.  Sometimes, said responses met with a stammer (“OH, ummm, uhhhh, ok”) or appreciative laughter.  I got a “cool” once after a pause.  I was bingoed by a waitress once back in May (“But you’ll die alone”), but after a pause, I gently corrected her (“Don’t ever ask someone why they don’t have kids”).  She was apologetic about it, and I resisted the urge to write “Read about singlism” in that line that read “Tip.”  She got her 20%.

I have a “Purrrroud to be a Childless Cat Guy” on its way as well.  I’m aware the correct term is childfree, but I feel I can take back that word from Vance, much like single women are doing with the term “spinster.”

I didn't think this display would turn into a blog post, but they say "Write what you know."  So there.