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Don’t Hate
Me ‘cause i’m different
‘cause i don’t conform
to gender norms

Don’t hate
Me ‘cause im “gay”
Actually, i’m not
what you may have thought,
i’m bisexual in fact
and can go either way,
but i think lesbians are hot!
So now how will you react?

Don’t hate
Me ‘cause i’m beautiful.
To be quite truthful,
i’m just being dutiful
when i wear makeup on my face
or walk with feminine grace.
i’m proud of who i am
And really dont give a damn.

Don’t hate
Me ‘cause i speak my mind
‘cause i try to educate
congratulate and celebrate.
Quit hating and berating
constantly downgrading!
Why not instead participate?

Don’t hate
it’s ugly and it stinks.
Be positive and productive
try to be constructive
or even seductive.
Hate is destructive
So please, be at ease – Don’t hate!

Disclaimer: The views in this article are those of the author. Prison Journalism Project has verified the writer’s identity and basic facts such as the names of institutions mentioned.

Jennifer Rose is a transgender writer incarcerated in California. She is a co-founder of the Fireant Collective, a collaborative organization for anarchists, a student in the college program and a tutor in the peer literacy mentor program.