Forgotten acceptance

Do you know how it feels — to be accepted? I didn’t. Not until he said, “I like them because they don’t bull-shit — they’re concrete in being themselves, in being happy. They welcome everyone as they are.” Do I bull-shit? I don’t think so. Would you? Am I myself? No. Do I wish to be? Yes. We could make a list, but I think you understand. I have forgotten the warmth of being accepted — that breath of relief when you can say, Yes, I am nonbinary. Yes, I am pansexual. And I don’t care who knows. But can I? No. I am afraid — of what, I’m not sure. Only that somewhere along the way, I lost a part of myself I once held dear.