Let’s have a real conversation.
I’m tired.
Tired of people thinking that just because someone is “family,” they deserve unquestioning respect. That no matter what they do—how much they hurt you, ignore you, manipulate you—they’re automatically right, simply because they share your blood.

Let me be clear: being family doesn’t give anyone the right to destroy your soul and then expect your loyalty in return.

The other day, I was talking to someone who said, “Whatever your family does, they’re still your family. They know better than you. They’ve lived more. You’re just confused. You haven’t felt what I’ve felt.”

And you know what? I didn’t even feel angry. I just felt… done.
Done trying to explain myself to people who’ve never even tried to understand.

People like that aren’t looking for a conversation.
They want to win.
They want to shut you down.
They want their reality to be the reality—and yours doesn’t matter.

And honestly? I’ve had enough of that.

Especially when it comes to being trans.
People love to talk about “acceptance” until it actually involves doing the work.
They love to say “love is unconditional” until your truth makes them uncomfortable.
And then suddenly, you’re the problem.
Suddenly, your pain is an inconvenience.
Suddenly, their ignorance becomes your burden.

But I’m not here to carry anyone’s ignorance anymore.

I’m not going to shrink myself so someone else can feel bigger.
I’m not going to let anyone tell me my experience is less real because it makes them uneasy.
And I’m definitely not going to keep calling it “love” when what I’m really receiving is shame, silence, or straight-up rejection.

If you truly love someone, you see them.
You don’t just tolerate them. You don’t just “let them be.” You stand with them.
Anything less isn’t love. It’s cowardice.

And let’s be real for a second: some people aren’t wise or experienced—they’re just old and bitter.
Some people haven’t lived “more,” they’ve just repeated the same ignorance over and over.
And some people aren’t defending family—they’re defending control.

If calling out toxic behavior makes me the villain in someone’s story, then fine.
I’ll be the villain.
But at least I’m real.

Author’s Note

This isn’t just a rant.

It’s a boundary.

I’m done apologizing for the space I take up

and the truth I live. If my honesty makes you uncomfortabie, maybe you were too comfortable with silence.