Outspoken

Reagan had always known who he was. A rambunctious little boy. His upbringing in a rural Florida town left him conflicted. People told him it was just a phase. To pray it away. That he was a beautiful young woman. People who not once practice what they preached. People who’d rather cherry pick scripture rather than listening to what he’d told them. People who let their actions speak for them. He’d begun doing the same after a while. He’d spoken out more than once. That he’d always known who he was. People who proved they never really loved Reagan anyway. He kept to himself until he graduated High School. He’d left home two weeks after graduating High School and never looked back. 

His Epilepsy prevented him from driving. Not that he cared much. He’d often be with someone who did drive. He led a mostly normal life. His inability to find a job didn’t help though. He’d spent his time speaking out against the discrimination he often experienced. Places he’d applied to didn’t want to hire him. They labeled him a liability. Unwilling to give him a chance. He pointed out he wasn’t going to get any experience if nobody took a chance on him. That his seizures were very well managed by Medication. That he was capable much like his peers. 

“I hate this. I can’t get a job worth my life” Reagan sobbed 
“You’ll get one at some point” Blair replied
“No, I won’t. People don’t want to hire me because of my seizures” Reagan cried

The discrimination he faced followed him everywhere. He’d finally been hired as a Dishwasher while in High School. He was upfront about everything. He appreciated Owen giving him a chance. For listening to him. For seeing his potential when nobody else had. He’d known Reagan's mother. He’d seen Reagan struggle after her unexpected death. He wanted to lead by example. He wanted to show Reagan was like his peers. The only difference being he has Epilepsy and doesn’t conform to societal norms in the gender department. Owen had become very protective of Reagan. It was a decision he’d make again. 

“I’m proud of you. I know your mom would be also” Owen smiled
“Thanks. She definitely would be. You’re one of the few I’m going to miss” Reagan said
“Yeah, one of two handfuls of people right?” Owen chuckled
“Yeah. I saved everything I could. I’m happy I can get out of here” Reagan replied
You’re going to have a place to stay right?” Owen asked
“Yeah, Hostels. I planned everything out. There’s more than enough jobs in South Florida I’ve been applying to. One of them is a Dishwasher position and wants an interview with me after I’ve moved down” Reagan answered 
“Hopefully you get that job” Owen worriedly said
“I have a good feeling I’ll get it” Reagan smiled 

Ten years had passed since he left the town that never loved him. He’d gone on with his life. He’d been no contact with nearly everyone that he once considered an important part of his life. Owen being one of the few people he kept in touch with. It felt like a lifetime ago to Reagan. He’d recently graduated with his B.A. degree. An accomplishment he wasn’t so sure he’d get. Life happened. He’d been a Public Speaker. He’d been able to make a decent life for himself that way. His life in Ft. Lauderdale was a simple one. He didn’t have much. He didn’t want much. His speeches left people thinking about the misinformation they’d so often believed about Trans and Disabled people. 

“You’ve done well for yourself” Owen grinned
“Yeah, far better than I thought I’d be doing” Reagan smiled
“Nothing’s changed back home” Owen mentioned
“I’m not surprised. Nothing will ever change either. People stuck in their ignorant and close minded ways” Reagan retorted
“Unfortunately you’re right. People who’ll never practice what they preach” Owen sighed
“You’re one of a handful of people still there I keep in contact with” Reagan said
“I’m not surprised” Owen laughed
“For good reason” Reagan replied 

Owen knew how true Reagan was. Owen knew there wasn’t anything in the town he’d grown up in. He’d watched Reagan during one of his speeches. He’d seen the same thing he saw ten years prior. He’d often leave people thinking when he’d talk to people. People realized just how judgmental they were toward Trans and Disabled people. He’d been openly Trans since he left for South Florida. He’d shamed everyone, his father included, for not practicing what they preached. For not genuinely listening to him. Conversations he had with people around town opened his eyes to the bigotry people lived in. People willingly living in ignorance. 

The conversations he had with people left an impact he never realized. People saw the harsh realities of being Disabled in a world that didn’t accommodate Disabled people. People who looked at the misinformation and propaganda differently. They’d seen just how nonsensical all of it was. Nobody would know Reagan was Disabled unless he either said something or had a seizure. He led a relatively normal life. He’d let his actions speak for him. He hadn’t always been able to get his words out. He’d figured out how to get his point across without needing to say much. He’d let his experiences do the majority of the talking.