The stigma and discrimination in the planet

Rachel had always known that she was different from the other kids in school. While they were all into sports and video games, she found herself drawn to things like art and poetry. She didn't like the same music, and she certainly didn't dress like the rest of them. She had always felt like an outsider, but it wasn't until high school that she realized that there was a name for people like her - she was queer.

As someone who identified as non-binary, Rachel never felt like she fit into any particular box. She didn't feel comfortable identifying as male or female, and she certainly didn't feel like she fit in with the traditional straight crowd. It was only after reading up on gender theory online that she realized that there were others like her out there. She discovered a whole community of people who identified as non-binary, queer, or gender non-conforming, and it felt like a revelation.

It wasn't long before Rachel started to experiment with her appearance. She cut her hair short and stopped wearing makeup. She started buying clothes from the men's section, and even started binding her chest to appear flatter. It was her way of taking control of her own identity, but it wasn't easy. She knew that she was going to face some pushback from the people around her.

At school, Rachel started to receive more and more harassment from her classmates. They made fun of her short hair and her clothes, calling her slurs and making crude jokes. She could hear them whispering behind her back in the hallways, and she knew that they were all talking about her. The teachers never said anything, and the principal seemed to be ignoring it all. She felt like she was completely alone.

Outside of school, Rachel started to explore the queer community. She went to pride events and joined some online groups. It felt amazing to finally be around people who understood her, but there was still a lot of pushbacks. Even within the queer community, there were people who didn't accept her. They told her that she wasn't "queer enough" or that she was just seeking attention. She felt like she couldn't win.

Things escalated when Rachel started dating someone who identified as a transgender woman. They had met online and hit it off immediately, but when they started hanging out in person, things got complicated. People loudly discussed them behind closed doors and started to whisper about them. One afternoon she was walking to her front door when a group of her classmates blocked her path. They called her a faggot, a dyke, and a freak. Rachel tried to act tough and said nothing, but she was shaking inside.

On social media, Rachel saw even more vitriolic comments. People were saying that she was sick, that she was going to hell, and that she should be ashamed of herself. She felt like she was going to be sick every time she logged on.

It was all too much. Rachel found herself sinking into depression and anxiety. She started skipping class and stopped hanging out with her friends. She didn't feel like she belonged anywhere. She was too queer for the "normal" people and too weird for the queer community. She didn't know where to turn.

It wasn't until Rachel started seeing a therapist who specialized in gender identity that things began to turn around. They helped her to accept herself and to find ways to cope with the constant harassment. They also suggested she look for allies, other people who support the community and speak out against discrimination. By connecting with

those who understood, she found the courage to speak out and to stand up for herself.

Eventually, Rachel graduated and moved away from her small town to start a new life. She found a job and an apartment in the city, where she could be whoever she wanted to be. It wasn't perfect, but at least she didn't feel like she was being constantly harassed. Now she volunteers with an organization that works to end discrimination against the LGBTQ+ community. Even though there is still a long way to go, she feels like she's making a difference.

Rachel knows that there are still people out there who hate her for who she is, but she refuses to let them win. She hopes that someday, everyone can be accepted for exactly who they are, no matter their gender or sexual identity. Until then, she'll keep fighting for that world, one day at a time.