Trans Day of Visibility
Wound up having more free time today than expected so I finished this lovely piece of leather for someone.
It feels rather fitting that I would finish this on Trans Day of Visibility and on the 4 year anniversary of my coming out as trans to most people.
Especially right now, visibility feels like an incredibly painful thing. I want to just live my life, I want to go out without anxiety or check the news without seeing my rights removed day in and day out.
But hiding myself was a death sentence in slow motion. I spent nearly 15 years of my life, denying who I was and how I felt. I watched my own passion and curiosity die a little every day as I kept trying to pretend I was something I’m not. If I hadn’t admitted it to myself when I did, I don’t think I would be here today.
Things are tough and I don’t know if I’ll be around to see the world become a better place. I honestly don’t. But I do know that so long as I’m here, I want to be myself. I want to make things better for those around me. I want to remind the world that its worth caring about people and supporting each other.
So on this Trans Day of Visibility, I want to remind people they are seen. You don’t have to come out. You don’t have to shout it from the rooftops, in many cases its probably much safer to not do any of that. But I see you. I recognize the pain and the heartache, and I recognize the internal joy of finding yourself and doing even the tiniest affirming thing.
I see you struggling to find work, looking for a place to call home, fleeing from dangerous situations. I see you flying quietly through life, putting on the mask, drifting by, hoping to remain invisible. I know the pain and the exhaustion personally and I know the necessary safety it brings.
No matter your situation, I see you, I support you, and I’ll continue to remind people we exist, to show our flag, and to fight for our right to be in whatever small way I can.
On this day and on every other. Be as visible as you need to be and know that you are not alone.