To me, all of my identities are invisible, making experiences very different from others. Invisible identities mean many things: stereotypes, the gaining or losing of power, the gaining or losing of identity, and the difficulties of exposing these identities to the world. For someone who holds visible identities that contradict some of their invisible identities, it can change the outside perspective, and the inner dynamic one has with oneself. This is my story on being invisible.
I am transgender, autistic, and gay. These are my invisible identities. I am also white and male-passing. These are my visible identities. Many see me as a straight, cisgender, white male. When I reveal my invisible identities, it is because I know I am safe. When I choose not to, I try to use my privilege of being seen as a straight, cishet man to progress toward equality and understanding. But it’s hard. My rights are being taken away, and it’s hard to pretend to be something you’re not.
I try to live by the idea that privilege – especially white male privilege – is something that should be taken advantage of to help disassemble systemic and institutional oppressive structures. Whether or not you own that identity as yours- which you do not have to- if you can employ that privilege to benefit your invisible identities, then, by all means, one should do so. I try my best to advocate through my writing and actions, but more and more, it seems like my invisible identities are being erased by the need to stay safe. I think at the core of invisible identities within the context of privilege is finding a balance between honoring yourself and honoring your identities. I am still searching for an even keel.