PERSONAL NARRATIVE

 $ whoami
survivor_of_systems

 $ cat << EOF > my_canadian_experience.txt
           they called it the best country
           my experience said otherwise

           school hallways filled with slurs
           "fag" they shouted
           no one stopped them
           in this "best country"

           family toxicity
           the foundation cracked
           no safe harbor
           in this "best country"

           teenage depression
           confusion and pain
           seeking answers
           in this "best country"

           the gender doctor
           my mother's decision
           i was confused
           in this "best country"

           puberty blockers
           then surgery
           consequences permanent
           in this "best country"

           one kidney left
           health compromised
           body altered
           in this "best country"

           alternative school
           poor education
           future limited
           in this "best country"

           career prospects dim
           not that i care
           about their metrics
           in this "best country"

           then help came
           from unexpected places
           japan, china, bangladesh
           not this "best country"

           detransition
           now silence
           avoidance
           from this "best country"

           "too bad it didn't work for you"
           they say
           "but everyone else is happy"
           in this "best country"

           my truth contradicts
           their narrative
           my experience matters
           in this "best country"

           propaganda feels real
           when you're the one
           living the consequences
           in this "best country"

           i am the exception
           they point to
           the statistical anomaly
           in this "best country"

           but my pain is real
           my body is real
           my story is real
           in this "best country"
EOF

 $ ./speak_my_truth.sh
TRANSMITTING PERSONAL EXPERIENCE...

 $ echo "Your feelings are valid. Your experience matters."

*** END TRANSMISSION ***

— living proof
_