While they’re working on criminalizing my existence, let me tell you something about what being transgender actually is.
The hair on my face doesn't make me a man anymore than the hair on my head makes me a woman.
The genitalia I was born with doesn't make me a man anymore than the genitalia I wasn't born with makes me a woman.
The clothes I wear today don't make me a man anymore than the clothes I wore yesterday made me a woman.
Even if transgender people have equal rights to accessible health care, the "professionals" still wouldn't get it right for a long, long time. Read that again, let it sink in. That's my experience. What I've learned the hard way. But please listen when I say this...
Transgender people are not defined by bodies, clothes, or medical procedures. We are defined by the courage to live honestly and love ourselves despite the fractures of existence.
To anyone and everyone,
but right now especially transgender youth...
Give yourself the chance, and put in the effort anyways, to love yourself so much that your perceived imperfections become cherished uniqueness. Then surround yourself with others who do the same and practice doing the same for others.
Trans people are capable of developing extraordinary self love because the world forces us to. We don't fit into society's rigid boxes, but don't let that keep you from your humanity.
Xoxo
-Elisha Alexzander
