Wetlands Magazine Fall 2020

Page 46

The Patriarch Says: We’d like the Conversation to be Binary. Mae Lovett

When you come, don’t bring your other

Please don’t talk about

-ness. Please don’t wear those colorful clothes

your pronouns. Don’t tell them about

that you say make you feel like yourself.

the drag balls, the feeling of fitting in

They are just clothes, you can

with people who are so different from us.

dress normally for one night.

Tell them about your writing, your singing,

Wear a dress, it will please them.

show them those pictures where you look so pretty.

It’s just one night, you can be yourself tomorrow.

Don’t bring up the hormone therapy. We’ll tell them eventually, but now is not the

You know we love you, because

time.

you are unique and proud of it. Tonight we are here to celebrate We are proud of you, just straighten

you, and the woman you have

up. Wear a dress and maybe

become.

shave your legs. Call him

We are so proud of you.

your boyfriend, partner sound gay. If they say she, just smile and stay silent. It’s just one night, you don’t want to upset them.

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