An Open Letter 🏳️‍🌈

 Dear Judge,

"Eli B. Givens." Sacred, individual, mine.

    When the writer and student leader are speechless, this is when we have a problem. America is careless with our precious, sacred trans adults, but especially our youth. In the divisive, polarizing times the community has overcome, we need to be meeting our youth where they are. This means...

1. Believing us

    Despite popular belief, my identity is pure and my identity is true. I may be young, but if I know anything for sure in this world, the young are powerful. I know my name. I know my identity. I know what will serve me. I don't need any government representative telling me what to do with my body, what to do with my identity, and what to do with my future.

2. Believing IN us

    My identity and my success are NOT mutually exclusive. When I was first coming to terms with my identity, the idea that being out would jeopardize my future was all-encapsulating. If I could tell my younger self anything, you're safe here. While I'm generally not safe where I live due to the political climate, I know that my merit and my passion will get me to a better place. A place of comfort, a place of solitude, a place of joy. Visibility is vulnerability. Visibility is strength.

    The only thing I want to say: why? So close-minded that you'll block people from their joy, from their peace. You disgust me. Your community disgusts me, and I'm more than excited to get the education to make sure no other trans person is dealt the same cards I've been dealt. Allegedly being pro-life and still denying real, living people their life. My name is my freedom. My identity is my peace, and I genuinely hope you experience the real, pure peace I've sought out. 

Until we meet again, Eli B. Givens