Tucked into the corner of the Don Taft University Center is a little Starbucks café that hosts a variety of faces that have become easily recognizable among patrons. Among those is Starbucks worker Grayson Beckley, a full time Chartwells employee, who sees the crowds come and go all day. Long lines have become a staple of the café, synonymous with the name Starbucks.
As transgender rights have taken center-stage in U.S. politics, people around the country have noticed more trans people in the workforce. The NSU Starbucks is no different.
Grayson Beckley stands behind the counter wearing a “trans pride” pin along with his pronouns. Known for his amicable nature and rainbow mask, Beckley has become a central figure in the evening shift at Starbucks, where he rushes out coffee and sandwiches to all the tired and burnt-out members of the NSU community.
Beckley appreciates the unspoken, but well-known, importance of his position.
“I like being able to come up with new drinks that people love and, honestly, I like to make people’s day and I do that every day,” said Beckley.
Beckley has enjoyed his two years at the NSU Starbucks and has been accepted with open arms by his coworkers.
“I came out socially last year and I’ve had nothing but support. My coworkers are really good about never misgendering [me] and always making sure that if somebody’s talking about me that they’re correcting them,” said Beckley.
After identifying as non-binary, Beckley finally made the first steps into transition last year, a change that has been welcomed by his wife.
“I knew that I was trans my whole life, but I was always afraid to come out. I dated people that didn’t want me as a man and that’s fair and that’s completely valid but that kept me in the closet,” said Beckley.
“I felt like I could come out as trans and so I told her last year and she’s been so helpful,” he added.
There have been difficulties, but Beckley’s favorite part of transition has been being perceived as his true gender.
“My favorite part has, honestly, been the voice drop and people seeing me as more masculine than ever,” said Beckley.
His transition has helped those around him see him for who he really is and has made his own mission of daily joy, easier. Once he hands you your coffee, be sure to be courteous and kind to him, he always does the same back.
“I hope for everybody to be the positivity they want to see in the world. Like, you have to make your own positive experience in the world and the more positive people there are, the more positive interactions there will be,” said Beckley.
