My name is Rachel Saunders, and I am a proud trans woman
Some things are worth keeping private, which is why I tend to guard my personal identity closely. Since I came out in 2000 I have tended to keep my trans identity low key, preferring to share my experiences anonymously to avoid harassment. This has especially been true since 2020 as the shape of the trans discourse has taken a much darker tone. However, while I still desire privacy in many things, be open and public about my identity has taken on an urgent tone due to the insidious nature of the anti-trans discourse. It is time for me to break my anonymity, and state who I am without fear of the consequences, showing that trans women can thrive and succeed, grow old as our affirmed selves, and publicly show through our lives that being trans is not a burden.
I started writing under the assumption that anonymity would allow me to touch on subjects that are complicated and knotty, knowing that my words would likely provoke all sides in the conversation. By being anonymous I believed it would allow me to discuss trans and feminist issues without harsh blowback such as doxing, yet in reality it is becoming harder to remain so in the face of increasing anti-trans hostility. I have never been afraid to be myself, I knew from an early age I was Rachel, and coming out was a matter of other people knowing, not a dark night of the soul. For me to tell you…
