Visibility

Can you stare into the eyes that wish for your elimination?

Can you do it without making a sound?

Do you promise not to scream? Not to cry?

To continue to feel its waiting glare through your life?

Listen to the whispers of those around you. Do they speak of your erasure?

Do they support it?

Can you turn on the news without learning of their next steps?

Don't scream. Don't cry. Don't show them your fear

Gather your family and hold them close

We can only show weakness together in hiding. Together we mourn, sob, and hope

We keep hope

Hope that these prying eyes will one day look away

Context

Originally written in a doc on December 29th 2022, this was written out of the increased fear I felt as a trans person in the United States. As of February 24th 2025, it still stands. The only difference is that now cishet people are less likely to be dismissive of my worry of what happens next.

The sun draws ever closer to the Earth, and I must both scream and remain silent. It's a tricky thing, isn't it?.