I am a special case here at Huntington University. I have been recently getting back in touch with my faith in God and that's a good thing at this school, considering Bible classes are part of the core curriculum here. So that's all fine and dandy, right?

Here's the kicker; I am transgender.

For years I hadn't given much thought to my gender identity, but there were many things that should have tipped me off to the fact that I wasn't who I thought I was. One of the biggest clues should've been the first time I tried on an actual bra. My mom thought it looked fine when I put on the shirt, but I hated the way it looked, and not in the general way that young gals feel about their breasts. I remember thinking, "This is not me" while I stared in that mirror, disappointed in my physical development.

I had always behaved more boyish as well. While I had dolls, costume jewelry, and other girly things, I was way more interested in dinosaurs, bugs, slugs, and space (still into those things!). I had always felt awkward being grouped with the girls in class, but I just thought I was really shy. I honestly could go on for ages.

Anyway, enough about my past, let's talk for a second on how awkward it is to be transgender on a very Christian campus. For one, I came here with my feminine birth name and registered as female. I'm stuck in a female dorm and I don't use the men's restroom out of the fear of getting reported. I could very well be kicked out of this school solely for being myself. The social repercussions could get interesting as well. I'm fairly out of the closet, and those I've told have received it well and respect me, calling me by my name and correct pronouns, but I can only imagine getting a slur hurled at me from someone I don't even know. Or being booted from a class because some students, or even the professor, are uncomfortable with something that doesn't even pertain to them.

All I can do is keep on keeping on. I have prayed about this at length, and I haven't been given any sign or reason that it's wrong. Nobody can stop me from being me.

I am who I am, and here I am.