Openly Trans

Harley’s life had been anything but easy. His mothers death left him with one less person that genuinely loved him for himself. He’d come out to her after his first period happened. Both agreed it wasn’t the best idea to come out as Transgender for a while. It was a highly religious area they lived in after all. Both knew what would happen if he came out before his eighteenth birthday. Harley was willing to compromise in the meantime. Sunday would be the only time he’d dress in Female clothing. It didn’t have to be a dress. It just had to be something feminine. Her death broke him more than anyone knew. 

Twenty years had passed since her death. He was in his thirties. He’d come out as Trans while living in South Florida. He’d moved back home after his dads divorce. It was a long time coming. He’d been living as an openly Trans Man after coming out. A decision that made Julian, his dad, uncomfortable from the start. He reminded his dad of what Maggie had said so many years prior. That she’d be ashamed of him for still being as uncomfortable as he was. It put more of a strain on the already strained relationship they had. Julian had lied and downplayed more than a few things in the last several years. Harley had called him out more than once. Julian couldn’t give any answers each time. Out of guilt and shame. 

People were already showing their disapproval of him being openly Trans. Harley didn’t care. He shared his story and why he was going to keep living his life the way he was. He went no contact with nearly everyone over time. His relatives included. He was the black sheep of the relatives that lived in town. People he’d known most of his life that hadn’t ever practiced what they preached anyway. People who’d let their actions speak for them. He’d begun doing the same. He saw living his life as an openly Trans person as giving hope to the LGBTQ+ youth in the community. To be a beacon for them in some way. He no longer cared what others thought. He was going to live his life happily. As himself. 

A confrontational argument with Julian left him homeless. He’d shamed Julian for making hateful comments. For saying unacceptable comments. He told him Maggie would’ve been ashamed of him. That she’d likely have divorced him. Julian gave Harley a significant amount of money and told him to leave. Julian left the next day after packing everything up and doing the little laundry he had. He didn’t care that he was homeless. It was better than being in the area that never once loved him anyway. 

He left for Miami Beach the day after Julian threw him out. He’d booked a ticket on the train to Miami as he was packing. He’d taken an Uber to the station early that morning. He applied for jobs during the train ride. He’d booked a room at an extended stay hotel in Ft. Lauderdale. It was the only thing he could afford for the time being. He’d accepted a job as a Marketer for a Cafe two days after arriving in South Florida. He’d volunteered himself as their day Dishwasher after their current one quit out of nowhere. He didn’t mind. He’d become a Speaker when he wasn’t at the Cafe. He’d seen how much of a difference it made to share his story. Trans people were already deemed Mentally Ill or going through a phase. He was disproving that by simply sharing his story. He’d rather speak out, go against the grain and be openly himself than stay silent.