JAE
CALIFORNIA | SERIES # 4
This is being written to you! Every word to any boy who feels empowered by wearing makeup or exploring the feminine realms of self-expression. This is to any girl who feels empowered by the masculine side of being, or are simply attracted to the same sex, please know that you’re not alone and it only gets better. I promise.
My opinion on gender is that it’s a social construct that was implemented by the people, to help co-categorize everyone into an organized system that they thought was normal. It doesn’t matter how you want to express yourself, though, as it’s just about doing what sets YOUR soul on fire.
My grandmother always told me to “stay true, do you, and paddle your own canoe,” and that saying has stuck with me, and pushed me to keep going, even when I really didn’t think I could. I know that it’s easier said than done, but I know first-hand.
Coming from a small farm town 40 minutes south of Boston, it was hard being a gender bender. I was in my mom’s makeup and heels since I could walk. It was hard growing up non-binary. I wanted to wear dresses, to put makeup on, and to braid my hair just as much as I wanted to get dirty and play outside wearing my wrangler jeans (searching for all the bugs, while riding my quad exploring the forests all around me).
In middle school, no one understood that I liked feeling pretty. From time to time, people’s lack of understanding was followed by violence and threats against my well-being. Some people are told growing up that it is wrong for a boy to “cross-dress” or to have barbies in their backpack. What they don’t realize is clothing or material doesn’t have any gender attached to it.
Growing up, I never let anyone tell me how to live my life. There were times I certainly suppressed my eccentric ways, but I always stayed true to my passions, like music, team exercises, and cheerleading. If I could give advice to anyone struggling with the same things that I struggled with growing up, it would be to get involved in a HEALTHY activity that gives you chills when you participate just because you’re that happy doing it.
I believe that no matter what gender identity, race, or role you play in this world, you are equally valid, and have something valuable to teach others. If we all came together as one, and let go of fear, the world would be so much more vibrant. All major changes start with one tiny thought. It’s all about what you do with that thought that makes major change. I’d like to say thank you to my mom for always supporting and standing up for me, no matter what anyone said.
