Have you ever felt out of place?

Like you’re in the wrong body?

In the wrong role?

In the wrong life?

If you’ve felt those things, people may have told you that it’s wrong

That you aren’t supposed to be that way, that you’re just right the way you are

That you were born in this body into this role because that’s how it’s supposed to be

That this is who you are and who you always will be, but they must be wrong

They don’t know what it’s like to use a voice that isn’t yours

They don’t know what it’s like to wear a face that doesn’t belong to you

They don’t know what it’s like to live in a body that should be someone else’s

They don’t know what it’s like to be a square peg in a round hole

The discomfort when you work out, not wearing your binder because you know it’s bad for you but people stare and call you ‘young lady’

The sadness when your family calls you ‘daughter’ even after you’ve told them that that’s never what you’ve been

The embarrassment when you forget to force your voice lower, making the others have second thoughts

The pain when no matter what you do, you know that you’ll still be a square peg in a round hole

Even the simple matter of existing is hard

Nowhere to turn for comfort

No one who will listen

No place where you can just be

Out on your bike, constantly tugging at and repositioning your shirt, trying to make your chest look flatter but knowing that all the people you pass will see you as a girl

At the music store where your brother’s friend greets you as your brother’s sister because he doesn’t know

When you start a new class in school and the teacher calls out that name and you fold in on yourself because that isn’t your name

During science class when your classmate calls you a name that isn’t yours even though several teachers you share call you a different name

Sharing contact information and having to explain that you can’t change your username because your family is on the platform and would ask why it’s different

Playing a solo in jazz and being introduced with a name that isn’t meant to be yours

Winning an award and walking onto the stage only to be announced as someone who you aren’t supposed to be

Constantly being reminded that you’re always going to be a square peg in a round hole

They tell you to hide it away, that no one cares

Your parents tearfully say that you’ve been their little girl for so long

Strangers online tell you that you’re mentally ill and you don’t matter

Classmates refuse to call you by your name even though you’ve told them countless times

A square peg can be whittled into the desired shape

A square can turn into a circle with enough change

Eventually they can cram you into your place

The place you were never meant to be in the first place

But what if you never wanted that place?

What if you’re meant to be different?

What if you don’t need others to approve?

What if you can be a square and not need to be forced into a role?

Cut away the people who refuse to accept you

Meet new people with your head held high

Not be afraid to correct someone if they get it wrong

Wear your flag with pride

Reach out to kids feeling the same things you do

Let them know that the things they feel are valid

Help them find who they are

Make sure they never feel like they need to fit into a place they don’t want

It’s hard, and it may feel impossible at some times

But you’ll get through it, and you’ll be more of yourself because of it

Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise

Wear that flag with pride, and be proud that you are a square peg in your very own place