Pride Month is almost over, so I think this is a good time to tell a wholesome story about me and my cousin.
My cousin and I have never been particularly close. Don’t get me wrong, I love her and she loves me, but we just didn’t hang out much. Partially we have a 9 year age gap, partially because up until this year my parents and I were living in a completely different state for approximately 6 years, and partially because my extended family on my mom’s side is an honest to god clusterfuck disaster embroiled in drama.
Still, despite us not interacting much, most our interactions have been fairly friendly.
Around a year and a half ago, I came out as non-binary, and started using they/them pronouns as well as changing my name. A little over half a year after that, my cousin got married.
My parents and I were invited to her wedding, which we were happy about. We were all really happy for my cousin, and her (at the time) fiancé was a pretty cool guy who we all liked.
When the reception happened, we all had assigned seating, with our names listed out on the tables we were meant to sit at. When I found my table, I was surprised to see that she had listed my preferred name. I hadn’t exactly expected her to deadname me or anything, but I also wasn’t counting on het actually referring to me correctly. At the time, I thought that had been all, and was left pleased.
A little over a week ago, I was at a Father’s Day brunch with my parents, aunt and uncle, grandfather and step grandmother, and cousin and cousin-in-law. It was a pretty good brunch, and with it being June, the topic of pride month came up. My cousin and aunt were pretty vocal about their support, which was really nice to hear. I ended up having a really nice talk about it with them.
After the brunch my mom and I were discussing how supportive and gung-ho they were being, when my mom dropped a huge bomb on me that I absolutely was not expecting.
Apparently, before her wedding, my cousin had made it very clear that she would not tolerate anyone making a fuss over my name change and pronouns. She was fully on my side and wanted me to feel comfortable.
I was really shocked. I hadn’t known she’d gone that far to me. It was really amazing to hear how much she supported me for who I am.
We may not be close, but I know she loves me, no matter who I am.
