Gender Issues

I was born without a penis and the world seems to constantly remind me of it. My parents have always encouraged me and pushed me forward. They’ve made it clear that my sex should not stop me. I have been lucky in that matter, not all girls are blessed to have such support and for this I am grateful. Still I am a young girl in a world ruled by men and the older I get, the clearer it becomes to me. Because I am feminine I am mocked, because I like pink and have a high pitched voice when I speak seriously I am not taken as such. In class surrounded by what are supposed be the most well educated, open minded young men in the country, I present and I can hear as in the back they imitate me and comment on my ass. Sometimes, it's like no matter how hard I try or how well prepared I am, the pep in my stride will always get ahead of me and beat my point. When I try to be a leader I become bossy, when I speak up I'm triggered and when I defend myself I’m stuck up and can’t take a joke.  When a boy tries to be a leader he’s strong, when he speaks up he’s brave, and when he defends himself he’s respected. It would be easy to sit and blame the men for oppressing us but in reality it is we women who must unite and rise above. Most of the time it's girls who call each other sluts and bitches, so why would guys not? We as women need to support each other and maybe someday I’ll be taken seriously.