The world is not a perfect place for people like myself

I will be fearful of the future again, I will be terrified by the prospects of what might happen to me. The things could even happen to me directly. Violence, persecution by the state, or any other number of things.

But this shall not shake me of my identity. I have spent too long forging myself into who I am today

I am Vivian. I am a trans woman. I am myself

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It is difficult to maintain confidence at times. I do not present as Vivian in all situations. I simply can't be her in all places, not yet.

The time for this will come. But whether or not I live as Vivian in a place or not, I still am Vivian

And these are decisions that are being made by me, Vivian. Not the name they force me to maintain. Not the identity they would assume me to have.

I am myself
I am not simply that which others perceive
I am me

Whoever I live as, wherever I am living as that person. That will not change who it is that I am

I am Vivian