Identity

Dear World, We Exist
I've never felt like I'm enough to make a change. I've always been far removed from my immediate community, although perhaps that is my fault for not reaching out. The few attempts at volunteer work or social help I've done, make me feel like the help isn't getting to where it's truly necessary. It was until 2021 that realizing something about myself, made me want to spark a change.
By Angie Loveday4 years ago in Pride
An Open Letter to a Drag Queen
Dear Drag Queen, I hope you are well, whoever you are. There's nothing more important than keeping well these days! I should probably explain where I know you from. In short, I saw you perform at Oxford Pride 2010. Gosh, it really doesn't seem like 12 years have passed since!
By ThatWriterWoman4 years ago in Pride
I’ve Never Been In Love
I have never had an actual boyfriend. Or girlfriend, for that matter. And I have never wanted on…. At least not since I was a small child!
By Angel Mann4 years ago in Pride
Why I Can't Call Myself Agender
When I was a kid, I forget how old, I went to the rugby club with my grandfather because he wanted a pint of beer. It was a familiar place to me because it's where all the birthday parties and seasonal discos were held. I'd been there many times for cake, cheap fizzy drinks, games of musical chairs and endless renditions of the Macarena.
By EJ Ferguson4 years ago in Pride
The Life of Bryan
The Life of Bryan: as told to Mark Peters 2013 Around 2013 I met a young man through an online forum after he had messaged me. His name was Bryan, he had recently turned eighteen, was about to finish high school and he lived in a small town not too far from where I was living.
By Mark 'Ponyboy' Peters4 years ago in Pride
The Echoing Voices of those Before Me
Growing up, I was always a little bit different. On the playground, I used to run with my friend Cheyenne. We weren't just running though. We were running from boys. It was all for fun but teachers didn't see it that way.
By Orion Prince4 years ago in Pride
By Any Other Name
I still remember the first diary that I picked up in my adolescence. It was cheaply made, probably some sort of dollar store variety, big box store clearance item. The church I went to had a particularly capitalistic way of ensuring continued pleasant behavior from their children. Certain tasks and behaviors were rewarded with poker chip “coins” that could be exchanged for different rewards in the Sunday school “store.” When I saw that notebook, pink, holographic hard covered, and perfectly well bound, I knew it had to be mine. I saved up my raised hands, my stacked chairs, my Bible verses flawlessly memorized, until I was able to make the exchange I so desperately wanted to make.
By Kit Olsen4 years ago in Pride
As An Enby in a Violently Gendered Society:
When I was a kid I was always fascinated by dress-up. It was fun to put on boy's clothing and pretend to be a boy. When I was younger, it was just assumed by everyone I'd grow up to be a "tomboy". I never thought we needed these terms at all. As a kid, one doesn't really understand the ripple effects that gender has on society. I was disadvantaged from birth by being born female in a patriarchy. Gender meant nothing more, when I was a kid, than how you were born. How you were born, that's how you were meant to stay.
By choreomanias4 years ago in Pride
What it's like being a queer, autistic, adhd, mom
You read that title correctly. It's a mouthful, I know. I get major imposter syndrome anytime I occupy space in any of these arenas. It wasn't till covidgate 2020 when I, along with the rest of the world, turned to TikTok. Whether for dissociation, education, dance challenges, or humor(the best medicine for a pandemic sized sadness), TikTok had it all. That's how I realized I was ADHD. Throw off every stereotypical, meme- worthy idea you have about ADHD because it is SO much more than an issue with holding attention. That's why, when I suddenly started seeing creators talk about their ADHD, I was like, "Holy Crap! That's me!" I had simultaneously found my people(Thanks TikTok algorithm) and discovered a new, more vulnerable version if myself. And that was just the tip of the iceberg my friends.
By Sam Hawk4 years ago in Pride
Could gender BE any more confusing? *exasperated sigh*
Why does gender make no freaking sense to me? I swear - when I try to think about it - my brain powers off and I am left to press (more like impatiently jab at) the power button over and over with no success. Only a dark, blank, screen staring back at me.
By mouse fairy4 years ago in Pride
Their Own Words – A Better Man (Part Four)
When I first sat down to compile my memories of Craig into this story I really had no idea where this journey was going to take me. I did mention previously that he had once asked if I was going to write a book about him and I have actually been thinking about that lately. Maybe I should write a complete novel that is based on his life? There certainly seems to be enough material for one and somehow I think it would be fitting. I can also think of quite a few young actors that would be excellent choices to play him in the movie version of his life! :)
By Mark 'Ponyboy' Peters4 years ago in Pride
I'm Panromantic Asexual
There is a lot of discussion around the LGBTQIA+ community. L = Lesbian G = Gay B = Bisexual, Bi-Gender T = Transgender
By Natasja Rose4 years ago in Pride