Identity

Xtra Xtra. Top Story - June 2025.
There is something that needs to be said during pride month. At least something that I need to remind myself. That I don’t need to be out to everyone during that month. And that I don’t need to be a model trans man. Nor do I need to be the perfect model of gay either. As I am asexual and aromantic. What I also don’t need to do is get into a relationship anytime soon either.
By Raphael Fontenelleabout a year ago in Pride
the first pride flag i ever touched was at a thrift store
it was tucked between a christmas sweater with a broken reindeer and a blazer that smelled like mothballs and old perfume
By A.Oabout a year ago in Pride
the day i realized straight people don't question their sexuality
i was twenty-three sitting in sarah's kitchen watching her make coffee with the same confidence she approached everything
By A.Oabout a year ago in Pride
my pronouns live in the space between heartbeats
they them theirs such small words to carry the entire universe of who i am but every time someone says them about me
By A.Oabout a year ago in Pride
i bought my first binder with birthday money from grandma
twenty-five dollars in a card with a cartoon cake and grandma's shaky handwriting "for something special, sweetheart" she always called me sweetheart
By A.Oabout a year ago in Pride
the mirror in my childhood bedroom still doesn't recognize me
the same mirror that watched me try on my mother's lipstick at seven practice kissing my own hand at thirteen cry over breakups
By A.Oabout a year ago in Pride
the day i stopped apologizing for taking up space
sorry was the first word out of my mouth every morning sorry for being here sorry for breathing too loud sorry for needing the bathroom
By A.Oabout a year ago in Pride
i kept all my old clothes in a garbage bag for three years
the black hefty bag sat in the corner of my closet for three years two months and sixteen days but who's counting right?
By A.Oabout a year ago in Pride
the weight of a wedding dress i'll never wear
my mother kept the magazine clippings in a shoebox under her bed princess sleeves and cathedral trains flowing like water down chapel aisles
By A.Oabout a year ago in Pride
learning to love the sound of my own voice
the first time i heard myself on a recording i wanted to disappear that voice high and thin like glass breaking was supposed to be mine
By A.Oabout a year ago in Pride
the first time someone called me by my chosen name
i practiced it in the mirror for months rolling the syllables around my tongue like a prayer i was afraid to say out loud
By A.Oabout a year ago in Pride
Deliver Me From Them: Jesus, I Need Help!. Top Story - June 2025.
"Well of course, Daddy, I’m all settled in just fine," I say into the Trimline telephone, counting the eon-long seconds like I’m sitting through one of his drawn-out July sermons, bless him. "No, everything’s been alright, thank the Lord. The staff are... helpful. Nothin’ over the top, just a sweet spirit all around. No need to worry."
By Dalma Ubitzabout a year ago in Pride