By Priya Gauchan
Being queer is my identity and
I wear it out every day.
Being a woman is my identity and
I wear it with my head held high.
Being a person of colour is my identity and
I wear that daily too.
All these tags inked
on every inch of my skin.
All these labels surrounding me
like an aura.
For the longest time
I was suffocated by them.
For the longest time
I was ashamed.
No longer.
No longer, am I tied
down by who I am.
I am liberated by my choices in life.
I am liberated by my pride.
I am liberated by my defiance.
I am liberated by my ability to accept my differences.