Raya Darcy & Kate Lemon
Educational Specialist/Engineer
Female/Female with a trans experience, Lesbian
She/her
When Raya’s colleague invited her along to watch a roller derby match, she never imagined the chance outing would change her life completely.
As she arrived at the arena to get her tickets, Raya met Kate who was managing the ticketing booth that evening, and immediately recognised an attraction.
“I did a double take, because she was trans… She was very demure and very shy,” Raya gushes as she remembers that fateful day.
As the game ended, Raya found Kate once again and the two hit it off.
“We just started talking and 20 minutes later, we're still talking and showing each other pictures of our kids and just talking away. I went home that night and thought, ‘I’ve made a new friend, yay!’ But then I couldn’t stop thinking about her,” Raya reveals.
“I remember the conversation and feeling really comfortable around Raya and feeling like she was a friend, but I’d only just met her. I didn’t realise that she was chatting me up and I didn’t realise I was chatting her up either!” Kate says coyly.
Some Facebook stalking ensued on Raya’s part after that first encounter, and Raya found herself at another roller derby match the following weekend. It didn’t take long for Raya to pluck up the courage to befriend Kate on Facebook and asked her out on a date.
“When I first got the message, I was sort of freaking out but also really excited. I had no intention on dating anytime soon because I had only been transitioning for a couple of years then and felt like I had quite a few years to go,” Kate explains.
“Well I fell very head over heels in love with her… wholly, madly, truly, deeply, obsessively fell in love with her! And I still am,” Raya boldly declares.
Recognising that their relationship may appear unconventional to some, Raya and Kate decided they would be open and up-front about who they were and be proud of their love.
Over Easter this year, Raya proposed to Kate and they hope to get married next year.
“We joke between us that Kate only agreed to get married so she can wear the white dress. But in all seriousness, it would be amazing for Kate to be able to do those things that she couldn’t do when she got married the first time,” reflects Raya.