I’m so happy that my parents low key let me express my gender. I was born female and have always identified as female, but I’ve never been typical girly. I asked my mom if I could chop all my hair off in the fourth grade and she just went “sure, we’ll get you some awesome new earrings to show off.” When my dad takes me shopping and I see a shirt in the guys section I like he lets me get it without a second glance at the sign that screams ‘BOYS’ hanging above my head. I grew my hair out again in 7th grade and stopped shopping in the boys section because I felt like I needed to fit in with the girls at my school. My parents could tell I wasn’t happy. I cut it all off again in 8th grade and dyed it blue as a big ‘fuck you’ to the woman in the grocery store who side-eyed my mom and I in the boys section slipping a button up over my pink t-shirt, seeing if it would button over my boobs. My dad never asked when I would come out of my room with a button up, ripped jeans, and converse and my nails painted bright purple. When my mom offered to shave the side of my head I went along without fear of what people would think because FUCK GENDER ROLES. I realize now as I’m telling my mom how I want to cut my hair now that the shaved part has grown enough that I am so lucky. Do my parents care that I’m kind of in between? Fuck no! And I’m so lucky and privileged to have a support system like that. I feel so bad for all my brothers and sisters and other family people out there who don’t have that. If any of you ever need to talk, ever, please feel free to message me. Please. I’m here for all of you, no matter what. I’ll be the dad that buys you a pink bike and blue plaid button up for your birthday or the mom that isn’t afraid to back you up when the hair dresser asks “are you sure you want it that short?” I’ll be whatever you need. I’ll be here, I promise.
