Life @ 11

Pretty

"You're such a pretty girl. Why do you bind yourself like that? It makes you look like a boy."

Because I am a boy. Binding helps me feel more masculine.

"You had such long pretty hair. Why did you cut it all off? You need to grow it out again. You look better with it long."

I prefer it short. It's not your decision whether I cut my hair or not. Please stop.

"Why don't you wear dresses and skirts anymore? Your grandfather would like to see you in one before he dies. You look too boyish with your current wardrobe."

But I am a boy. I don't like wearing dresses or skirts. I prefer my jeans and t-shirt.

"Your name is pretty. Why do you want to change it? Your mother and father gave it to you."

That isn't my name though. I can change my birth certificate to display my real name.

"Can you stop dressing like a boy?"

I am a boy though.

"Act like a lady. Your manners aren't acceptable."

I'm just acting like a normal person. So what if I'm not acting the way you want me to act.

"Meet my daughter."

I'm your son though.

"God made you a girl. You can't be a boy."

You're wrong. I am a boy. I just don't have the right parts just yet.

"It's wrong to try to be a boy. You were born a girl."

There's nothing wrong with me. Please stop. It hurts when you say things like that.

"If you're transgender, does that mean you're a lesbian?"

No, that would make me straight. I'm gay though. I like other men. Just because my body portrays otherwise, doesn't change the fact that I'm a man.