Growing up, all the historical figures that I loved to read about had complicated relationships with gender. Joan of Arc was a favorite of mine; a teenage peasant who wore men’s clothing and armor, who was a military leader. #NationalComingOutDay THREAD 1/

I loved how comfortable she was with her identity. She died a martyr, in part, for not renouncing who she was. True to herself until death. 2/

Ever since I can remember I’ve always felt uncomfortable w/ gender &how our society places gender identities in neatly defined boxes. These constructs always felt like labels that didn’t apply 2 me or describe my personal experience. I always felt like an outsider, looking in. 3/

A few years ago, I was reading some kids books about gender. Some of the characters were nonbinary. Not male nor female, somewhere floating in-between. I remember thinking that if I were a kid when reading these books, I would have considered myself nonbinary. 4/

I think I probably held that term and identity at a distance because I didn’t want to appropriate someone else’s experience... 5/

but also because I come from a religious and conservative community (which I love and am still apart of), but I knew that my identity would conflict with some of my community’s beliefs. 6/

It’s tiring of to keep these feelings quiet in order to make people feel comfortable. So I am telling you, outloud, that I consider myself #nonbinary and I go by they/them pronouns.
7/

I am still the same person you know. I still see myself the same way. I still feel the same. But this label fits me better. And I am comfortable with that.

#NationalComingOutDay #IamNonBinary 8/

If you have questions on the very large umbrella of what nonbinary can mean, this article is a good place to start:

https://www.teenvogue.com/story/9-things-people-get-wrong-about-being-non-binary 9/

If you are still coming to terms with who you are and where you fit in the grand scheme of things... I see you. And I’m sending you a big hug.

/END