Determined Nation Magazine Vol. 4 Iss. 1: The College Survival Guide Volume 4 Sept 2014 | Page 9

own education and I know there is
still further to go. I’ve joined a club
for transgender and intersex people
at my university, which was officially
the first public place I came out as
agender, and the feeling of not hiding
anymore was more liberating than I
can describe. I have acquired a few
binders - which are like tight sports
bras designed to make your chest flat
- and cut a foot and a half off my hair.
I started taking pictures of myself for
the first time, finally understanding
just who was looking back at me.
On rare days, I even put on a full face
of makeup and slip into a dress. And
more than not feeling uncomfortable,
it can lend a sense of confidence and
independence; now, I know I’m not
doing it to meet others’ expectations
or try convincing myself I’m someone
I’m not, but because I want to. No
matter how masculine or feminine
my clothing, my hobbies, my likes,
dislikes, passions, goals - my sense of
self never changes.

I can’t claim to speak for all the wonderful nonbinary people you see
pictured here; the NB experience is
as vibrant and diverse as any other
group of humanity, extending the entire spectrums of race, age, ethnicity,
nationality, ability, class, and personality. I can only tell you my own story
and hope it’s opened your eyes to a
facet of humanity no one talks about.
Now, I am majoring in Physics and am
sitting comfortable with who I am. I
no longer feel at odds with my label; it used to be “I’m a