When Tori moved to San Francisco from London in 2000, she didn’t know anyone there. Keen to meet new people, she regularly went to group events and parties, building up a network of friends. In 2002, she was invited to a brunch in Oakland, where she was briefly introduced to Stella, an art therapist. “We caught each other’s eye but didn’t interact very much,” says Tori, who was transitioning at the time. “I thought she looked really nice.”
In March 2003, they bumped into each other again at a party. “I was quizzing someone about Burning Man festival because I’d never been,” says Tori. “Stella joined the conversation and I recognised her from brunch.”
