The way I dress tends to leave people a little...confused. For example, when I was younger, when I went to the grocery store, the clerks would always refer to me as a boy and say things like, "Can you tell that boy to put his items on the counter?" Ever since I could dress myself, I have worn boys' clothes because I identify as a cross-dresser. I feel more comfortable and more myself… but this is generally not accepted in society, especially in Bulgaria. According to the National Climate Survey on Transphobia in Canadian Schools, between 2007 and 2009, “74% of trans students reported being verbally harassed about their gender expression.” And what’s more, “37% of trans students reported being harassed or physically assaulted.” It's time for everyone to realize that there is more than one way to identify your gender; in fact, there are over 30 different ways a person can identify themselves. To me, being transgender means not fitting into the traditional view of man or woman, including being transsexual or transvestite. Because society views gender as solely based on the sexual organs we were given at birth, it is imperative that we further explore the need for society to further exclude the transgender lifestyle. We will do this by first exploring two issues surrounding the T in the LGBT community. Second, we will explore two of its causes, before providing solutions so that, whatever our gender identity, we are all accepted. It's normal to not understand gender when you've never had to think about society's social norms. But for those who have to think about it, life can sometimes be difficult. The problems with not understanding being transgender are twofold. First, people are fighting... middle of paper ...... when it comes to gender, we can change the way they treat the transgender community. Trans people will no longer have to fight for the right to exist as they are. They won't have to fight to prove that they are not inferior to others. I won't have to live in fear. I will no longer be afraid of losing everything I love. I will be free to be who I am. No matter how we identify, it's important that we all feel accepted. I believe society is slowly moving toward acceptance of the transgender lifestyle, but there is so much more that can be done to end the persecution. I hope that through this speech I have changed the way you view gender and the way you discuss this topic with the people around you. I am proud to be a part of the LGBT community and know that my appearance is a reflection of who I am as a person, not what society has chosen for me..