Forward

Julian had been living his life his way. Far happier than he’d ever been before. He’d been transitioning for the last nine years. He’d been an openly closeted Trans man living in a rural area. He’d become more open in recent months. He’d been speaking up far more as well. Most didn’t like it. Their responses being typical of Southern Baptists. Comments born of ignorance and not practicing what they preach. He went no contact with nearly everyone he knew. The few that remained loved him for who they were. He’d often reflect on how different life would be if his mother were alive. Her unexpected death left him grieving, conflicted, and unsure of what to do. He vowed to live his life as happily as he could while living where he was. 

He’d gone no contact with his family. He’d shamed them for not being there for him. For failing to be family. That his mother and other relatives would’ve been ashamed of them if they were alive. They’d never genuinely loved him. Their actions spoke far louder than anything they’d ever said. They’d known about his transition prior to him telling him. Not once had they mentioned it. Or have any conversations with him. Nor had they asked any questions. Things he’d pointed out during his rant. He left feeling free for the first time in his life. He’d already been low contact with them. The confrontational “family meeting” that happened after a post he’d made that changed everything. He no longer cared what they thought. Or said. 

A fight between him and Owen, his dad, happened two weeks later. People wearing shirts about accepting LGBTQ+ people for who they are left Julian internally happy while it silently left Owen feeling uncomfortable. The bigoted comments Owen made had angered Julian. Comments that were also made out of being set in his ways. He’d shamed Owen for what he said. That Maggie would’ve been ashamed of him for making the kinds of comments he’d made. Julian left two days later. He’d already given away everything he knew he’d never use or need while also having packed the majority of what he’d be leaving with. He had enough money to get a Hostel along with the absolute basics for two months. He hoped to have found a job by then. His only plan was to apply everywhere he was interested in. 

The next two weeks were filled with applying to places as well as roaming around the area. He’d fallen in love with the area. Until he found a job as a Dishwasher at one of the Restaurants. A mundane job that he didn’t mind having. He’d fallen in love with the area far more than he had before. He’d visited several times. He loved it each time. He’d watch the sunrise as well as sunset while deep in thought. Insight Therapy was something he’d used for the last few weeks. To overcome the trauma he’d experienced. To move through everything he’d experienced. 

Julian had been living openly as a Trans Man after moving to Miami Beach. He’d gone on with his life. He was far happier than he’d ever been. To live as an openly Trans Man wasn’t something he’d thought he’d be able to do. He’d found a studio apartment with a beach view in the meantime. The simple life he’d made for himself was the dream he’d had for the last few years. The last year especially. He’d begun speaking out far more. It was sharing his story that helped him as much as it did others.