The reaction makes me hide it… “Yeah, you shouldn’t have to be brave” or the very well intentioned encouragement to accept the compliment. Every one of those moments have been supportive and awesome… but felt weird… it just didn’t feel like I’m brave… I’m not scared. 

I know there’s nothing wrong with being non-binary. 

I’m not broken for having ADHD. 

Being out and proud doesn’t feel optional to me. 

This lack of fear is clearly built upon privilege, that brave people helped construct. AND I’m white, grew up in an accepting community in the suburbs and when I came out as bi those in my life were supportive. 

I’m not saying these different life labels are always easy. I know there is risk, there is dismissal and the threat of violence creeps and I have a body that old men are working hard to control. 

Yet, for me it doesn’t feel scary to believe I don’t deserve hate. It feels hopeful. Being fully myself, out and proud, feels so much safer than pretending. Maybe I am brave…. But I feel more like I’m connected, loved, supported, inherently worthy and not scared to be me.