Today I am sitting with what’s made me strong. After experiencing an uncomfortable interaction while walking my dog today- I realized that I haven’t had the luxury of coasting or simply existing. At every turn I’ve had to take ownership of my narrative or- I learned early on-others would try to degrade, belittle, or dehumanize me because of my gender and or sexuality. From the time I was in elementary school - I couldn’t coast. I’m thankful for my journey, but now as an adult I have so many feelings I haven’t the words for when adults think that they have higher moral ground because of people’s identities. Even more when people feel emboldened to make remarks at complete strangers. I needed to get it out because I don’t know what to do with all the feelings this brought up.