Still here. Still queer. Still NON BINARY AF. ... I have been thinking a lot about what to write today - non binary birthday 💖 - national coming out day - this past year has been TOUGH. For as much as I thought I had a handle on my own imposter syndrome ooof did people come for me. Im somehow both too much and not enough for them all at once, but I have learned to find quiet, to take care of myself first, to stand up for myself, and sometimes to stand down in the name of mental and emotional safety. I have had some incredibly hard conversations as well as faced some deafening silence. I have also found so much beauty, certainty and motherf*ckin POWER. Here’s what I know and what I will share with anyone keen to listen: you are valid, you don’t have to prove yourself to anyone, you’re not weak for feeling hurt or isolated - you’re human, coming out is exhausting as much as it is liberating - if it’s safer to stay in that is OK you are still YOU. People will challenge you, know your heart. People may try to hurt you, protect your peace. There will be extreme powerful highs and days of frightening lows... find your people, but more importantly find that support within you, it’s there, that cheerleader, protector, champion, that person for you is within you. In the loneliness, in the uncertainty, in the questioning, the exploration, turn to them, they’ve got your back better than any external system ever will. And now for some joy - I have found opportunities to give back to my community! To learn from and be inspired by them! To know that I don’t need to be told I fit that I can carve my own spaces. I commit over and over to paving the way for those who will come after - I commit to showing young trans and non binary folks that they have a rich history and community and are not “wrong” or “alone” as some would have them believe. We are beautiful dynamic unboxable incalculable beings and we have always been here 💖 #happynationalcomingoutday to every rainbow being, no matter where you are on your journey, no matter how out or in you choose to be, I see you, I love you, I am proud of you 💖 📸 @danieljsliwa_media