Rainbow Reflections

I gaze into the media mirror

expecting to see me.

But I must be a vampire

because it is empty.

Skinny Asians with straight hair

demurely deliver roundhouse kicks.

Old auntie or ninja warrior,

choose one, hag or dominatrix.

Boys or girls, men or women,

with little in between.

If gender's a full spectrum,

why must I choose king or queen?

I have a divergent mind,

but I guess it could be worse.

Because I don't really find

I'm a savior or a curse.

I ran a search for me,

the way I look, feel, and sound.

And the search came back empty,

"no results found."

But enough about myself

the question is moot.

Let's put my issues on the shelf

and talk about the youth.

Give them a sign,

a rainbow bizarre.

Show them it's fine

to be who they are.

"You're either a limousine

or a garage," said one parent.

A statement obscene

to their non-binary descendent.

Ramona is now Rome

and they're hungry and cold.

Kicked out of their home

Before they're 18 years old.

Sunni lost her mommy

not by accident.

She dated Emily

and was disowned over Lent.

Harry anxiously listens

quiet as a mouse.

Afraid his dad will beat him

for bringing a boy to his house.

I can straighten my hair

mask my quirks and charms.

If my reflection is bare

I won't come to harm.

But let's do what we can

to end the tragedy.

Teens meeting an early end

because they're not allowed to be.

Flood the screens with enbys,

transfolk, lesbians and gays.

Show them how it can be

and pave them a way.

Representation isn't for later,

small steps at a time.

Because right now there are haters

and lives on the line.

Fill the media with their images,

affirm their right to be here.

Let's end the carnage

of kids who are queer.