Alienated, Silent, Anxious
I’m struck by how rarely we discuss money on campus. As an Asian genderqueer person, it’s already hard enough to walk around Yale feeling like I don’t belong. I’ve found groups where I do feel like I belong and where I feel accepted - namely the LGBTQ groups I’m a part of and the Ultimate Frisbee team. I feel comfortable talking with these groups about a lot, but strangely we never talk about money or class.
Right now, my world is in a state of semi-upheaval as I wait to learn if my parents will continue to pay for my education now that they’ve learned about my queer identity. I’m not sure if I can continue being on the frisbee team, as simple things like paying for uniforms and renewing my membership have become hard. The team is great about supporting students that can’t pay for things, but I still feel guilty about taking more than I give to the team.
I’m lucky enough that my parents are wealthy enough that I’m not on financial aid, so I haven’t ever had serious money concerns until this semester, but now I feel like I understand a little how students who have the Student Income Contribution hanging over their heads constantly feel - alienated, silent, anxious. Added to the struggles queer, trans and poc students already face on this campus, the emotional burden must be exhausting.
Because of my dysphoria, some days I feel like I don’t even belong in my body. With the financial stress of being disowned for being queer coupled with an underlying sensation of “otherness” for my trans identity, some days I feel like I can’t belong on this campus.
Right now, my world is in a state of semi-upheaval as I wait to learn if my parents will continue to pay for my education now that they’ve learned about my queer identity. I’m not sure if I can continue being on the frisbee team, as simple things like paying for uniforms and renewing my membership have become hard. The team is great about supporting students that can’t pay for things, but I still feel guilty about taking more than I give to the team.
I’m lucky enough that my parents are wealthy enough that I’m not on financial aid, so I haven’t ever had serious money concerns until this semester, but now I feel like I understand a little how students who have the Student Income Contribution hanging over their heads constantly feel - alienated, silent, anxious. Added to the struggles queer, trans and poc students already face on this campus, the emotional burden must be exhausting.
Because of my dysphoria, some days I feel like I don’t even belong in my body. With the financial stress of being disowned for being queer coupled with an underlying sensation of “otherness” for my trans identity, some days I feel like I can’t belong on this campus.
