I am 17

I am mad.

Three hundred 

And thirty one 

Trans and gender diverse deaths this year 

Three hundred 

And thirty one

Murders.

Trans people 

Are four more times likely 

To live in poverty then the general population 

Trans people

Experience unemployment 

Twice the rate of the general population 

41% of trans people 

Report attempting suicide 

Compared to 1.6% of the general population 

Trans people 

Are a topic

Seen as controversial

They are seen as something similar to politics

Now I see politics as

Who to vote for

Height restrictions on buildings 

What to do about conflict with other countries 

I do not see it as something

That differs whether someone should have rights or not

The ninth amendment says: 

“The enumeration in the Constitution, 

of certain rights, 

shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.”

Which should mean that 

Trans people’s rights shouldn’t be argued or fought over

When that would never happen to a cis white mans rights

We gained rights for women

For black Americans 

For anyone that needed them

And now that these rights are assumed

They’re still arguing that we don’t deserve them

I am 17

I am too scared to use public restrooms 

Because people might yell

Or might do something much worse

I am 17

And I am too scared to get mad 

At someone calling me a girl 

Because they might get a lot madder

I am 17

And my mother told me she stopped loving me

When I came out

I am 17

And I regularly get asked

About my genitalia 

In public spaces 

I am 17

And I’ve tried to commit suicide 

3 times 

I am 17

And I’m scared

I won’t live to grow up 

Like my siblings 

I have the right to be angry

Do you?

-Jude Jackson