By

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"Because sometimes you need to wear a dress, you're a girl." -My father, when I asked him why he was making me wear a tiny dress to dinner

"Oh my God, she looks like a boy now, Mom. That's so weird." -One of my former best friends, when I walked past her at the pool

"Did you hear about her? She did her school project on faggots." -An asshole at my school, talking to one of his friends when I walked by

"Why doesn't she just wear a normal swimsuit? Like a bikini? That's boy's clothes..." -A random girl whispering to her friend, again, when I walked past

People sometimes think that I don't hear them. That I'm oblivious to their pointing fingers and hands cupped over mouths. Here's something I would like to tell you all-- I've heard all of it.

To the boy by the lockers--

Yeah, I wrote all about my rainbow family for that big school project. And guess what? I got so much positive feedback from everyone, including my teacher.

To Eliana--

I'm sad that I didn't know your viewpoint on the LGBTQ+ community when I was friends with you. Yes, I do look like a boy now! Thank you for proclaiming that you have eyes!

To my father--

I am often disgusted at the words that come from your non-understanding mouth. I'll probably love you until you kick me out.

To that girl at the public poolside--

What you all call swimsuits these days should never be acceptable to wear anywhere. It's basically lingerie for swimming. Yeah, I wear a short-sleeved rash guard and boy's swimming trunks. Deal with it.

I used to fall down and cry for a long, long, long time when I heard things like this. It's not good that I've gotten used to it, but I have. There's a point in life where you have to realize that there will never be a time where you are fully accepted by everyone. There's always going to be somebody in the word who disagrees with you. I've learned to brush it off, because they're not worth my time if they have opinions like that.

But, even if I try not to show it, these are the words that kill me.