In a world that often refuses to acknowledge true identity, the fight for respect becomes both necessary and personal. This poem, Fight Me, channels raw anger and resilience, addressing the pain of misgendering and the courage it takes to stand up for oneself. It is a declaration against erasure and a demand for dignity.
Fight Me emerged from a deeply personal betrayal: a moment when someone who is and will be in my life regardless of my disdain for her shared my transgender identity without my consent, exposing me to misunderstanding and disrespect. This poem captures the complex emotions that follow: anger, frustration, and the fierce need to reclaim power.
It confronts those who dismiss or invalidate gender identity, calling out their hypocrisy and challenging them to face the consequences of their words. The staggered layout emphasizes moments of tension and rupture, visually reflecting the disruption of identity and respect.
“Fight Me”
I bet you that these useless,
big-mouth bitches
would not
still be calling me a girl
the moment I tried to raise
my fist
to fight them
woman
o to
m
a
n
They wouldn’t mind having some respect
for my gender identity
while referring to
me as a
scary,
violent
man…
as if they
weren’t asking for this
by insisting I’m a
f
e
m a l e
to begin with.
Fight Me stands as more than a poem… it is a testament to resilience in the face of invalidation and betrayal. It challenges readers to recognize the power of respect in honoring gender identity and the cost of denial. Through unapologetic defiance, it demands that voices like mine not only be heard but fiercely respected.
