TRANSGENDER or NOT

The first time I told someone I was non-binary they said, “so you are transgender”. My initial response was no I’m non-binary. Both statements can be true depending on how a non-binary person considers themselves, because not all of us are the same. As I have navigated through my experiences, I would say I am transgender. The important thing here is remember that not all non-binary people will identify as transgender.

The reason I started saying I was transgender is because I realized that I was going through many different transitions when I started identifying as non-binary. These transitions included a different pronoun, different clothing, difference in confidence and attitude.

Changing my pronoun was probably the biggest transition I made. This wasn’t only a transition for me but for the people around me too. I’m still in the transition process when it comes to my pronoun. My pronoun has slowly evolved, because of the people around me. My name Meredith which can be a mouth full. It is three syllables and when you have to repeat it over and over again in place of gender pronouns that can be a lot. My nephew has always referred to me as Mer. So as time went by people around me started using mer instead of Meredith. This works for me and makes it easier for my friends and family who are going through this transition with me.

The next thing a changed was my clothing. First I got rid of all the clothes I owned that made me feel inherently feminine. The next thing I did was buy clothes that made me feel comfortable in my own skin. As time has gone by the clothes I wear has slowly evolved. At first it was just men’s pants, t-shirts, or button downs. I then added vest. Next bow ties. As I continue to find what clothes make me good in my own skin this will evolve as well.

Another thing I changed about myself is my hair. I cut it short to start. Then I colored it. I have experimented with many different hair styles. I feel this will be in constant transitions, which is fine with me, because hair is hair.

Every aspect of my life is slowly changing as I continue this journey. There are other things that I would like to change, but that will come in time.

Lastly I wanna remind you again that not every non-binary person considers themselves to be transgender.