TRANS VISIBILITY.

I Am a Woman by Your Leave

It all depends who counts and who’s doing the counting

When I count, I'm a woman.

I AM a woman.
I’m a woman in my soul, and in my mind — I’m a woman in how I greet the sun every morning and how I lay on my pillow at nighttime.

I’m a woman, please.

I’m a woman, if you please.

I’m a woman if it pleases you.

I’m a woman if you don’t turn me away.

I’m a woman if I count — that is, if I’m doing the counting.

I’m a woman if you count me as one.

I’m a woman if I count — that is if i matter at all.

I’m a woman like Pluto was a planet, happily, for 76 years — until someone told everyone that Pluto doesn’t count.

I’m a woman if you see me, a woman if you recognize me. If I pass your Shiboleth, if I can properly pronounce perejil. If I don’t anger you, if I don’t displease you.

I’m a woman inasmuch, and insofar, as you let me be one.

I’m a woman by your leave.