If They Get Their Way
If they get their way
they'll refuse to hire you
because you’re trans
and then they’ll tell you
that transition doesn’t work
when the trans can’t get jobs.
If they get their way
they'll make you scared
to step outside your door
and then they’ll tell you
that transition doesn’t work
when the trans don’t leave the house.
If they get their way
they'll refuse
to let you use the bathroom
and then they’ll tell you
that transition doesn’t work
when the trans don’t socialize.
If you’re not happy
they'll tell you
that transition doesn’t work
because—look!
—the trans aren’t happy
and if somehow
against the odds
you manage to be happy
they’ll tell you
that transition doesn’t work
because—look!
—the trans don’t know
that they’re not supposed
to be happy.
Keira Reynolds (she/her) is a trans woman. She used to write code, now she writes short stories—mostly fantasy. Mostly. She has had short stories published in All Worlds Wayfarer, Little Blue Marble, Andromeda Spaceways Magazine, and elsewhere. She lives with her wife Julie in County Kerry, Ireland, and occasionally posts random thoughts on her blog at keirareynolds.com.
