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Happy Pride Month, everyone!

To anyone who is struggling with their gender identity;

You are stronger than you think, and you will make it through this. I know that right now, it may not seem the best, or that maybe you're weird. Perhaps you've been told you're doing it for attention, or it's 'just a phase'. I'm here to tell you that you're not weird. Your identity, no matter what it is, is not some attention seeking escapade. It's not a phase, and even if (especially if) you decide to change your gender identity after or decide that maybe that isn't quite right, it still isn't a phase. It's a step you are bravely taking to become who you are, who you were meant to be. You are your own amazing person, and no one can decide who you are for you.

Maybe you know what your gender identity is, but you aren't comfortable coming out or you are considering coming out about it. All I have to say is only do what makes you comfortable, and keeps you safe.

I know life is a scary thing, but it's also wonderful, and you get to bloom into the person you want to be. Your friends, and your family are there for you. Your community is here for you, and your identity is valid.

Stay safe, and you're loved.

To anyone who has struggled with their gender identity;

I'm proud of you. You've gone through so much, emotionally and physically. No matter where you are in your identity, or transitioning to better suit your identity, you are valid. You don't need chest surgery, or hormones, or vocal training, to be valid. If you want to get chest surgery, or hormones, or vocal training, you are valid as well. Everyone is valid so long as they are doing what makes them comfortable, and happy with themselves. Wear what you want to wear, whether it complys to societies gender roles that you identify as, or if it doesn't. Gender roles don't define you, you define you. If you see yourself as a man and want to wear dresses, you are no less of a man. Wear what you want and live how you want to. I want you to stay safe, no matter where you are, and to help those who still are struggling. Share your stories, post your selfies, let the world see the beautiful person that is you. You are so strong for fighting what society may say is correct to be yourself. You are valid.

Stay safe, and you're loved.

To both groups of people I've addressed;

Read both, as they are both applicable. If you are still struggling, read about the people who have been through what you are having issues with. If you are at terms with your identity, read about the people who are going through their struggles. I'm sure your past self would need to hear the reassurance, and if not that, offer a helping hand to those who need it. Everyone is valid, and everyone is loved. Find those who support you, and let them help. Trans is natural, you are valid, and you are loved, no matter where you are in becoming who you are meant to be.

Who are you meant to be?

Yourself.

Explanation of the Piece;

I drew this because I know me from the past would have needed to hear that Trans is Natural. I want to quicky explain all the symbology I put into this, and what it means to me so there is no confusion, and so you, the reader, can hear my story.

This is an affirmation that I never allowed myself to accept when I was first figuring out that I didn't identify as my cisgender self. The female depicted in this is my past self, looking up at the male depicted, my present self. I feel weird referring to my past self as she, so I'll be refering to them as my past self, and they/them/their pronouns for my own comfort. My past self is holding what was originally a flower crown, but it's falling apart to reveal thorns. The flower crown is my cisgender identity. It was pretty at first, and wearable, but the guise of the flowers and beauty fell off to reveal the thorns. The thorns represent me being closeted. Each time I was misgendered or called someones daughter or anything like that, it was a thorn digging into me. Past me is looking up to present me because we are always looking forward to the future, and also looking for a reason to do anything. The future is that reason. I was unhappy as past me, I couldn't be myself or accept myself and it was unpleasant.

Present me is well, me presently. I made sure to have my binder poking out from my tank top, as it does that naturally, and to show that I haven't had chest surgery. In all honesty, I don't plan to either. I'm wearing a tank top rather than a t shirt because I always feel more masculine wearing one. I'm proud of my arms and I'm proud of my binder. I don't mind that it shows. I'm wearing the flower crown because I have accepted my gender identity. I've accepted it, come out, and now live with a loving and supportive girlfriend. There are no thorns hidden under the flowers, as there is nothing of me I have to hide with them. I look so happy because I am happy. I am happy with who I am, and the life I am living. I'm waving at my past self because I do not hate or regret the past. It has made me into me today, and it's wonderful. I greet the past with a smile and a wave because all the suffering and struggles of the past has made me stronger, and made me into the person I am today. I love the present, and I look forward to the future.

Description
Happy Pride Month, everyone!

To anyone who is struggling with their gender identity;

You are stronger than you think, and you will make it through this. I know that right now, it may not seem the best, or that maybe you're weird. Perhaps you've been told you're doing it for attention, or it's 'just a phase'. I'm here to tell you that you're not weird. Your identity, no matter what it is, is not some attention seeking escapade. It's not a phase, and even if (especially if) you decide to change your gender identity after or decide that maybe that isn't quite right, it still isn't a phase. It's a step you are bravely taking to become who you are, who you were meant to be. You are your own amazing person, and no one can decide who you are for you.

Maybe you know what your gender identity is, but you aren't comfortable coming out or you are considering coming out about it. All I have to say is only do what makes you comfortable, and keeps you safe.

I know life is a scary thing, but it's also wonderful, and you get to bloom into the person you want to be. Your friends, and your family are there for you. Your community is here for you, and your identity is valid.

Stay safe, and you're loved.

To anyone who has struggled with their gender identity;

I'm proud of you. You've gone through so much, emotionally and physically. No matter where you are in your identity, or transitioning to better suit your identity, you are valid. You don't need chest surgery, or hormones, or vocal training, to be valid. If you want to get chest surgery, or hormones, or vocal training, you are valid as well. Everyone is valid so long as they are doing what makes them comfortable, and happy with themselves. Wear what you want to wear, whether it complys to societies gender roles that you identify as, or if it doesn't. Gender roles don't define you, you define you. If you see yourself as a man and want to wear dresses, you are no less of a man. Wear what you want and live how you want to. I want you to stay safe, no matter where you are, and to help those who still are struggling. Share your stories, post your selfies, let the world see the beautiful person that is you. You are so strong for fighting what society may say is correct to be yourself. You are valid.

Stay safe, and you're loved.

To both groups of people I've addressed;

Read both, as they are both applicable. If you are still struggling, read about the people who have been through what you are having issues with. If you are at terms with your identity, read about the people who are going through their struggles. I'm sure your past self would need to hear the reassurance, and if not that, offer a helping hand to those who need it. Everyone is valid, and everyone is loved. Find those who support you, and let them help. Trans is natural, you are valid, and you are loved, no matter where you are in becoming who you are meant to be.

Who are you meant to be?

Yourself.

Explanation of the Piece;

I drew this because I know me from the past would have needed to hear that Trans is Natural. I want to quicky explain all the symbology I put into this, and what it means to me so there is no confusion, and so you, the reader, can hear my story.

This is an affirmation that I never allowed myself to accept when I was first figuring out that I didn't identify as my cisgender self. The female depicted in this is my past self, looking up at the male depicted, my present self. I feel weird referring to my past self as she, so I'll be refering to them as my past self, and they/them/their pronouns for my own comfort. My past self is holding what was originally a flower crown, but it's falling apart to reveal thorns. The flower crown is my cisgender identity. It was pretty at first, and wearable, but the guise of the flowers and beauty fell off to reveal the thorns. The thorns represent me being closeted. Each time I was misgendered or called someones daughter or anything like that, it was a thorn digging into me. Past me is looking up to present me because we are always looking forward to the future, and also looking for a reason to do anything. The future is that reason. I was unhappy as past me, I couldn't be myself or accept myself and it was unpleasant.

Present me is well, me presently. I made sure to have my binder poking out from my tank top, as it does that naturally, and to show that I haven't had chest surgery. In all honesty, I don't plan to either. I'm wearing a tank top rather than a t shirt because I always feel more masculine wearing one. I'm proud of my arms and I'm proud of my binder. I don't mind that it shows. I'm wearing the flower crown because I have accepted my gender identity. I've accepted it, come out, and now live with a loving and supportive girlfriend. There are no thorns hidden under the flowers, as there is nothing of me I have to hide with them. I look so happy because I am happy. I am happy with who I am, and the life I am living. I'm waving at my past self because I do not hate or regret the past. It has made me into me today, and it's wonderful. I greet the past with a smile and a wave because all the suffering and struggles of the past has made me stronger, and made me into the person I am today. I love the present, and I look forward to the future.