Interesting. I was doing a Q&A with a college class last week where I gave them permission to ask me anything and they did...one even asked to see my vagina in the interests os science. I found it humorous and ultimately enjoyed the experience of talking with a bunch of cis folk about what it means to me to be trans and how it has affected my life.
At the end of the class, the professor told me how he thought I was very brave. I told him I'm used to working in front of students and he clarified that I was brave to have transitioned. I downplayed it, like I do, because generally, I don't see self-preservation as an act of bravery. At the same time, thinking about it, some of the bravest heroes in history and fiction have often acted in self-preservation and we call them brave.
Am I brave, she that not only bears, but invites the whips and scorns of time, the oppressor's wrong, the proud man's contumely?
Well, yes. I am. I say to the world that my survival is worthy and worthy on my terms and damn those who think I should have done differently. I stand up and I say that I am a person of value and deserve a chance to live my very best life and, by doing so, hopefully show others that they, too, can risk to be who they are, to live authentically.
So if someone says that I am brave, I nod, smile, and say, "Thank you very much."
I'm glad they can see the truth and speak it.
N.J.
