My name is Nathen, I was assigned male at birth, I now identify as non-binary. I’ve outgrown many oppressive and ignorant ideologies that were taught to me. My parents taught me to resolve conflict with violence, I would fight with other kids frequently. I took the blame for being a problem child when my father continued the cycle of abuse his father introduced him to. After cutting communication with my dad and moving to my grandparents house, I began to heal. This was my sophomore year, and I worked tirelessly to find anger that didn’t scare me. I was so tired of getting bullied and ridiculed by peers that I found myself licking the boots of male peers. Seeking safety in male dominated spaces drives men to follow vocal men who express their hate for women/accountability/non-conforming identities freely. My emotional maturity has grown exponentially since high school.  I know now that thinking for yourself and defending those ideals should not be condemned. I’ve found pride in not giving a fuck about what other people think.

This piece was part of We’Ced’s newest publication. Overlooking Pink