I hope this is a pleasant reality check I’m about to deliver.

I’m a cisgender queer man who has been with both men and women (I have not been fortunate enough to date a trans woman yet, but it isn’t for any particular reason other than luck of the draw). When I look at your pictures and read your posts, the caveman parts of my brain react with 100% that-is-a-woman reaction. It doesn’t respond to you in the same way it would respond to a boy. I don’t think you’re missing anything that the other girls have.

You aren’t ugly, you’re beautiful. Your energy is feminine, and it reacts with my masculine energy just like any other cute girl would. I totally get why you’re hard on yourself—I’ve had partners gush over how hot they think I am when I think I’m just ok and know how to dress well.

My point is that it is easy to be our own worst critic, but the mirror that others can hold up for us is likely closer to the truth that the world perceives about us than our own self judgement is.

Talking with you in DM’s has been the highlight of my week. You’ve got it goin’ on, girl! You aren’t an oxygen stealing monster, you’re somebody who has made a stranger smile and who makes people in this community feel good about themselves.

#TeamMiisha