Being LGBTQ+

They scold us
thinking we are all the same,
that we practice witchcraft under the full
moon and bind our souls by sacred blood
rituals. They call us a cult though our
spirits run free, for we worship no god
and pledge no allegiance.

We are blessed by nature and Mother
Earth who gives us purpose.

We wear no hooded masks,
nothing needs to be hidden
unless our truth is in danger.
There are those who don't identify
how others perceive them,
who grow into their new bodies
now matching outside to in -
budding, awkward but sure of their breaths;
some take hormones or wear lipstick
or don't feel the need to alter appearance
despite society saying they are looking for
attention or just being rebellious or not
queer/trans/bi/gay enough.

When did self-expression become
something we must explain?

Let others identify as their true selves -
none of us should ever question
the right to learn who we are
inside and out.