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I crossed my scariest threshold when I was barely a teenager. For the first 13 years of my life, I lived comfortably in the belief that I was a cis girl. Everything changed when I began to explore who I was. I’m trans. At the time, I didn't know how horrifying it would become to be trans in this country. There have been hundreds of bills introduced over the years, intending to wipe my community out. It is a genocide. They want to keep us trapped between who we were and who we are. Force us to keep pretending for their comfort. It’s exhausting. In 2022, I began my medical transition. I am extremely lucky to live in the state that I do. I’ve never had to face this reality head-on. I have existed in a bubble, made possible by people who came before me and people who refuse to back down, even now. I want to fight alongside them, but I don't know how. The downside of living a comfortable life is that you never have to sharpen your teeth. Thicken your skin. Raise your voice. You are shielded from the ugliest parts of the battle while feeling entitled to the rewards. You don’t have to wrestle for scraps when everything has been handed to you. Any time I speak up, I feel like I am doing something wrong. Why should I be allowed to lead the crusade when I've never been in combat? I am not the one to call for action or blood. That is not my place. I could join the fight though. I'm ready to stand, but I'm scared to stand alone. I need a helping hand. Someone to pull me into the light. To say it’s okay to be loud. Be fierce. Look danger in the face and not back down. But every day is a struggle just to get someone to hear us. For someone to fight back. To stand up, raise their voice, do anything. My siblings should not have to keep dying in the streets because of misguided fear. We should be free to live our lives. I’m crossing a new threshold. I’m stepping up to the plate. Making my voice heard. I refuse to be silent so that bigots may be comfortable. I will scream at the top of my lungs until they cannot ignore me any longer. I’m not backing down. Someday, I want this fight to end. I want us to be who we are without fear of being attacked or killed. And until that day comes, I will continue to march into battle with my head held high. I’m tired of being a target and a scapegoat for their fear. I am done being scared. Fuck their fear. I’m embracing my courage.