I Am Trans And I Am Standing My Ground | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Politics and Activism

I Am Trans And I Am Standing My Ground

If I become a statistic, then let it be known I didn't go down without a fight.

Ody Incognito
Mar 01, 2016
30
I Am Trans And I Am Standing My Ground
Unsplash // Yanko Peyankov

I am in danger.

Around the world, even here in the "land of the free," people like me are dying too young, too soon, and by the most unfair means. We die by our own hand, and by the hands of those who will take no time to learn that we are more than our gender identity. The more different you are, the more danger you're in. We hear a million things, our struggle akin to that of a young woman being advised against behaviors that "provoke" rape.

These things are supposed to serve as tips to keep us safe, to have people take us seriously. But does it work? Turn on the news, just once a week, you'll see it. Another young, beautiful soul killed, all for identifying as something society tells them not to. From the day we are born, we are color-coded and grouped accordingly, boy or girl. As we grow up, these ideas are constantly reinforced. Young or old, if you dare to challenge this. You are in danger. I am in danger.

I am told:

If you're going to be a boy, you must hide your chest. Don't flaunt your identity, no one cares. Forgive people who misgender you consistently, it's hard for them. Why can't you just be a lesbian? Why aren't you on hormones? Why don't you look like a boy? You look like a girl to me. God makes no mistakes. What's in your pants? How do you have sex? What does your girlfriend think?

I hear:

I don't respect you. I don't respect people like you. You are what I see you as, not what you see yourself as. I am superior to you.

I am more than this

I have, time and time again, came across people in life who seem to only want to talk about one thing — I am trans. And yes, it is a large part of my identity, it has molded a lot of my decisions and many of my life's most profound experiences have came from issues I experienced while living trans. But I promise, it's probably one of the most boring facts about me. Pick up my favorite book, listen to my favorite album and watch my favorite shows, and you will learn a world more about me than you ever will by googling "transman."

I am unashamed

Yes, I know my smile makes me look feminine but I spent too much time not smiling, I have a lot to catch up on. No, I will not stop wearing my salmon pairs of shorts because they look pink. They're literally my favorite. I used to care, and I used to care a lot. But I know who I am, I've always known I guess, but I am no longer ashamed. I am not ashamed to be the short boy in salmon shorts, with rosy cheeks and small hands.

I am in danger.
I am told how should I be trans.
I hear that I am not respected.
I am more than this.
I am unashamed.

But most of all, I am unafraid

The odds are not the best, I will admit. But I refuse, absolutely refuse, to back to down. I will not be told how to be trans, I won't waiver to those who do not respect me, and I will not be ashamed that I am not some people's traditional view of what a boy is supposed to be. I have dealt with adversity, and I will continue to until the world changes — if and when it ever does. I won't be stopped from educating others, opening people's eyes, and living as myself. I don't care if you're offended, it is not my problem if you refuse to educate yourself or listen to others who try.

I am here.
I am trans.
I will not be stopped.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Entertainment

Mouse, Cookie, Chaos!

He's going to ask for a glass of milk

University of West Georgia
80502
mouse with a cookie

One of my biggest pet peeves is when someone does not try to help their self before asking others. How can someone else be expected to help you if you do not first do that yourself? I'm all about helping those that need it when the time comes, however whenever someone does not even attempt to help him or herself first then that becomes a huge problem. As we all have learned, people tend to take advantage of us in one way or another. I am sure we all read this short story when we were younger and it follows that same principle:

Keep Reading...Show less
short story
Lifestyle

39 Traits You Know You Have If You're A Libra

You are fun, but firm.

Stillwater, OK
770
39 Traits You Know You Have If You're A Libra
Flickr

If you were born between September 23rd - October 22nd, then you are a Libra. Let's be real, Libras are the best because you are the perfect balance of all things in life. Some may find this boring, but they don't know anything about what it means to be all things at once. As Libras, we hold much on our shoulders that no one can understand. These are traits you know to be true if you are a Libra:

Keep Reading...Show less
libra
Entertainment

12 Types Of Drunk Girls You'll See In Every Friend Group

"Getting drunk with your best friends is an experience in and of itself. It takes us on wild and ridiculous adventures with the people we trust with our lives."

University of Minnesota Twin Cities
532
friends
Cloud Front

Getting drunk with your best friends is an experience in and of itself. It takes us on wild and ridiculous adventures with the people we trust with our lives. Each one of you plays a vital role in making sure the night goes (relatively) smoothly.

Keep Reading...Show less
drinking
Entertainment

20 Times When The Kardashians Summed Up Your Finals Week

It's so rude that we have finals.

University of Iowa
185
Kardashians
Cosmopolitan.com

Finals week is so rude! So, there's no one better to explain it than the Kardashians themselves!

1. When you look at your finals schedule and become immediately overwhelmed:

2. When your professor says that the final is only going to be short answer questions:

3. When you text your parents to tell them that you're going to have a mental breakdown and drop out of college and they're just like:

I'M Sorry You'Re Overwhelmed GIFfrom Keeping Up With The Kardashians GIFs

4. When you're trying to study with friends, but then you realize that you haven't gotten anything done:

Khloe Khloekardashian GIFfrom Khloe GIFs

5. Then you just end up going on your phone.

6. When you're two weeks away from finals and your professor tells you that you should probably start studying now:

7. When you sit down to take your final and the first question hits you like:

8. When you start the practice problems and you're just like:

9. When you're in your final and find a question that you actually know the answer to:

10. When that one annoying kid in your class says that the final was super easy and they aced it:

Hit You In The Throat Serious GIFfrom Hit You In The Throat GIFs

11. When you come back from your 7:30 a.m. final and crash:

12. When your professor tries to teach you new material a week before the final:

13. When you decide to eat away the pain that is finals week by ordering massive amounts of food:

14. Filling out course evaluations for that one difficult professor like:

15. When it's right before your first final and you're just like:

16. When your professor tells that you the final is cumulative:

17. When the kid next to you keeps looking over at your test:

18. Looking back on the outfits that you wore during finals week like:

Kimk Tears GIFfrom Kimk GIFs

19. When it's been two hours and you've only gotten through five notecards:

20. When you finally make it to the end of the week:

kardashians
Lifestyle

10 Signs You Work In A Restaurant

There's always chaos in the restaurant business.

University of Akron
1466
10 Signs You Work In A Restaurant
Brisanis

Working in the restaurant industry is possibly the most fundamentally challenging occupation I have ever experienced when it comes to hospitality and customer service. When you go to a five-star restaurant you expect the time of your life, a two hour getaway, a walk through another time period (rustic Italy, France, Spain, etc), or simply a honeymoon undergo. What you don't see are the behind the scenes scut work: carrying trays, polishing glassware and silverware, kitchen chaos, the list is endless. Now, I'm not saying being a host, server, or bartender is the worst thing in the whole wide world, there are definitely worse things. But the fact of the matter is that it isn't always sunshine and rainbows. In the two years that I have spent in restaurant and customer service, I have spoken my share of expletives, yelled at kitchen staff, and dealt with not-so-happy guests. It isn't easy to keep a bright and shiny smile on your face when all you want to do is choke every person who walks near you. Anyone who has spent even two weeks working in a restaurant understands the rigor and stress that comes with it. Restaurant culture is a tiny world in and of itself that operates on its own principles and creates its own society. It even has its own language. The sayings "runner", "corner", and "on a bus" wouldn't make sense to anyone otherwise. My mother and I both work in a restaurant and the best advice I can give someone going out to eat is to treat us like people. Yes...believe it or not we are people, people. Say "please" and "thank you", or stack your cleared plates before a busser gets to the table. Trust me, the gesture goes a lot farther than you may think.

So, if you work in a restaurant, you can relate with the following points. If not, check out how the brain of a restaurant service (or any customer service) worker actually works. See if you can identify any crazy weird habits your friends have a tendency to partake in.

Keep Reading...Show less
restaurant life

Trending Topics

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments