I’ll Grow Older And You’ll Only Know My Name

All the teachers knew and understood why I had the straw and never yelled at me for it, and the other kids had no idea why but they just knew, “oh he needs that straw” and didn’t question it.

One day in second grade, we had a sub. She was new to the school and as she was giving us the activity while we sat on the floor (i dont remember the activity just that it was a floor activity) she saw my straw and went, “dont chew on things like that!” And scolded me in front of the class, taking my straw from me.

I of course didn’t do anything cause she was an authority figure and I couldn’t break the rule of defying authority figures so i just sat in disappointment, immediately feeling distressed cause my stim toy was taken from me.

The class was dead silent until one of them went, “miss- he needs that actually.” And then another one piped up, “yeah! He has one every day! It’s important he chews on it!”

None of them understood WHY i had it, but they respected that it was important

(transcriber's note: she is gesturing, referring to comments others make) Bro that's a dude! Oh my god is that a man? 

(transcriber's note: below she responds to these allegations.) 

Masculinity is a prison from which you will never escape, even though the key is & always has been in your hands. Alright?

You don't hate me because I'm different, you hate me because I stepped outside & I left you in your cage to rot. You will never know a life unburdened by what your father thinks about you. Okay?

And just because you don't have enough room to stretch your legs doesn't mean that I can't go outside and dance.

(transcriber's note: she now pauses for a few seconds for emphasis)

who i am

Based on this:

“No.”