I am no longer gay

I am no longer gay – for fear of homophobia

I am no longer Muslim – for fear of Islamaphobia

I am no longer Asian – for fear of offending non-Asians

I am no longer Pakistani – for fear of being called Paki and my identity is revealed

I am no longer South Asian – for fear of being seen in the wrong continent

I am no longer middle aged – for fear of being placed in a box or being called ageist

I am no longer Woke – for fear of being seen as too politicised or antagonistic

I am no longer brown – for fear of being the wrong shade

I am no longer creative – for fear of being controversial

I am no longer a social warrior – for fear of being trolled and lampooned

I am no longer the Giver – for fear of being taken advantage

I am no longer fighting for Equality – for fear of missing someone who is not seen or heard

I will no longer speak up – for fear of looking a fool

I will no longer wear a label of identity – for fear of being abused

I will no longer wear your perceptions of who I should be.

For I will simply just be me.

Thank you.