On the first day in my art class, the teacher had us go around the room and introduce ourselves (yawn) and our pronouns (not yawn. I've had a few professors have the class give their pronouns and I'm glad it's becoming normalized). I took this as an opportunity to introduce myself with the name I chose for myself: Anthem. I like how it sounds, but I'm having a hard time trying to imagine myself as Anthem. Like I've been (given name) for my whole life, so of course it'll take some getting used to. The same goes for pronouns. I'm so used to she and her that anything else sounds weird.

"Hi I'm (given name) but I go by Anthem. I go by any pronouns but they/them is preferred. Right now I'm a studio art major..."

And so the next class she was taking attendance and she said Anthem and not (given name) and I was startled. Y'all she's been calling me Anthem ever since I-- 🥺🥺🥺

It feels good to have this identity of mine be recognized. My friends have been getting better at calling me Anthem and it just brings joy to my heart.