Spokesperson
JOY RIDE: Pedicabbing propelled Sara Hughes into a ‘take me as I am — or take a hike’ profession. (Photo: Truitt Ray. 2015.)
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Am I a role model?
Yes, I’d like to think so. Once I was a role model to a homeless gentleman. At the time, I needed some money to pay my phone bill. So I got a cooler and some ice, and I sold cold water at an intersection in a tie-dyed shirt. The next weekend, at that same intersection, a homeless guy was using my idea — selling cold water in a tie-dyed shirt. He was inspired by me to think that he could improve his life and get off the streets. He said he would be getting his first apartment later that week. And I try to be a role model to my four-year-old son. I was in a 10-year relationship with a woman. We have a son together. I’d like to think that I’m a role model to him. He calls me “Sara-Momma.” When I was a young I went to a lot of different schools. Kids can always tell when you’re different — even if they don’t know exactly how. At the time, I didn’t even know myself. I was often excluded and I had to constantly defend myself. By the time, I was at Bowie High School. I told my mom, “I’m staying here — even if I have to run away.” There were still some fights, but I stayed until graduation and attended Austin Community College. I’ve been a pedicab driver with DirtNail for three years. Before that, I worked as a roller skating carhop at Sonic Drive-In. But at Sonic, I had to wear boy drag to work. Along with my “dead name” tag. As a pedicab driver, I have the freedom to wear whatever I want. One of the best parts of this job is no one telling me how to be me. And I love the camaraderie among the other pedicab drivers. If there’s any trouble, you’ve got five people zooming toward you to help out. We always have each other’s back. I also like the open-and-outside quality of being on a bike. When the client is choosing a pedicab, the driver is in full view. So, in part, they are choosing you. So it’s, “Take me as I am. Or take a hike.” |
