I put on a crisp white shirt that got creased within minutes of walking in a Rome that isn’t sure whether the weather is hot or cold.

Slightly out of comfort zone, entering the lower house of the parliament of Italy. As much for the shirt, as for the the co-panelists at a seminar organised to present a wide array of views on gender identity.

The only positive, a panel of women and myself. After an hour listening to philosophical arguments on the origin of subjects that served to obfuscate trans exclusive views, I could present my own story.

I start, “I’m trans and I’m happy” – said to contrast the last word said by Izzo. Triste! She declared, because she believes that trans people are causing women to become invisible.

I conclude, “Recognising that more differences exist beyond the ones between men and women is important. The nuances are beautiful.” – to contrast some of Buttarelli’s discourse around dicothomies, about negating social construct to recognise biology as truth.

At least Elisabetta Piccolotti from Sinistra Italiana was amazing in summarising the challenges for trans and non binary youth in Italy today.

But overall, the conference was inaccessible to anyone who is not used to sitting in Italian lecture halls, debating legal clauses, philosophers, and the constitution. There was no debate, or discussion. This is the Italian way to present a seminar.

I hope in all this, my story, told in my plain Italian, about what it means to wish you were a cool lesbian feminist, but know in your heart that you are not, reached the hearts as well as the minds of the members of Parliament present.

The fight for our rights continues.

#lesbiangenius #transfeminist