Stereotypes and Healing

When I am older,

I am going to stand out

I’m going to wear bright rainbow dresses and shirts

Waving a tiny pride flag

I’ll have a bisexual button on my backpack

And wear pink, purple and blue bracelets

I’ll buy myself flannel and cargo pants,

Despite not liking either

I’ll cut my hair short

And dye it with cheap grocery store dye

I’ll get septum piercing and far too many tattoos

I’m going to hang a giant bisexual flag on my dorm

room wall

I’m going to decorate my bed with pillows with

slogans like

“Love is Love”

“Love wins”

And horrible gay related puns

I’m going to adorn my desk with tiny

porcelain frogs and plastic mushrooms

I’m going to wear my Boygenuis merch with joy

Humming “Pink Pony Club” under my breath

As I walk down the street,

Holding the hand of a pretty girl who leaves

lipstick stains on my cheeks

Holding the hand of a boy wearing eyeliner with

fluffy hair and a video game t-shirt

Holding the hand of a person who adores me as I am

I’m going to display my romance books on a bright

shelf in the center of my room,

Not tuck them away in a dark corner

I’ll watch my shows with ease,

Not worrying about a parent coming up behind me,

Seeing two boys kissing or two girls falling in love

In June, I’ll draw rainbows on my cheeks

And dance in colorful clothes

With other people like me

I’m going to live through every single gay stereotype

Until the teenager in the closet feels seen

Until the teenager in the closet feels heard

Until the teenager in the closet feels at home

Until she feels like she can leave the closet safely

Then and only then,

Will I be able to find myself