“Mom, for Ameera, we use they or them pronouns, we don’t say she or her. We do this because we respect Ameera for who they are.” I sat back smiling to myself, on the verge of tears as I heard a friend carefully and thoughtfully explain my use of gender-neutral pronouns to his mother.
It was the first time in my life that I didn’t feel the burden of explaining, and I was overcome with feelings of being seen, heard, and supported.
My heart swelled once again when she responded with acceptance and warmth, and immediately hugged me. It was a marked difference from some of the responses I got from friends or family when I first told them, ranging from not understanding at all, to being distracted and not really paying attention.
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