GSU student Kai shares his story about coming out and navigating social changes.
Interviewer: So what is Kai’s story?
Kai: My story…see okay, I don’t really think I have like the traditional story, or like…
Interviewer: There’s no story that’s traditional.
Kai: I know, but like the typical, not typical, but like you know, this happens this happens this happens, bad thing, this happens, this happens. For me, coming out was like a thing that has been happening for the past two or three years. I feel like every day, I come out to someone new. But it’s the same thing if you’re queer and you feel like you have to come out to someone new everyday. Since like March, obviously, when I started testosterone and my features started changing, I haven’t had to come out to people anymore. I haven’t had to correct anyone on my pronouns or when people ask me my name and I say kind, they don’t like at me like [confused face], you know? But now, I’ve noticed the difference in how people interact with me. I was in Wal-Mart the other day, right, and I was with my sister. We were walking to the exit with our buggies, and my buggy was too close to this guy, so i was like “oh, my bad bro” and he looked at me like I was ridiculous for apologizing to him. But I know had the same thing happened while I was still presenting as female, then it would’ve been weird for me to not say sorry. It’s strange because I feel like I have to check my privilege to make sure that other people aren’t being treated differently because of their gender. Does that make sense?
I don’t know, I’m just a lot happier now that I’m actually out. I feel like I can go out, be myself and not have people ask me “why aren’t you more feminine?”, you know things like that. My grandmother actually told me that. She said “you should’ve been born a boy.
Interviewer: [laughing]
Kai: Joke’s on her. Cuz now I look just like her son. I look just like my dad. It’s crazy. He doesn’t like it. I think he’s jealous. There can only be one. I’m gonna be the one. I’m gonna out live him anyway.
