🌈 Rainbow Harbor || Snomelette's Journal

So, to those (basically everyone) unaware, the character featured in my art piece is named Ladiva! And she's a character from the series Granblue Fantasy. Ladiva is a very important character to me, as she's helped me learn a lot about how to deal with my emotions, as well as being able become braver with embracing my gender identity. The latter being most important. "Why is that?", I hear you asking? Well, that's because Ladiva is a transwoman. "B-but she has a beard!" "Her voice is so deep!" "Why does she look like that then?" I hear some people also asking, after they go look her up. The answer is because Ladiva chooses not to fully transition. Some might see this, and right away roll their eyes at me. But I fully believe it's up to choice if someone wishes to take that next step in their lives. It doesn't define if they're trans 'enough' or not to me. Some people literally can't transition due to health reasons. Maybe it's due to lifestyle choices. Or maybe it's because they're closeted. The list goes on. But it still doesn't matter. For Ladiva, it's a different matter entirely, but it still makes sense to me. To fully explain: Ladiva is a Gender Non Conforming Transwoman, but one of the other true reasons for her refusal to fully transition is because her body is the last remaining part of her parents she has left. Her family was killed by beings known as 'Astrals'. So, to her, keeping her body the way it is makes her feel closer to her parents, as it's them who made her look the way she does! She doesn't sacrifice her appearance for the sake of pleasing others, and chooses to look how she wants to because it's what makes her happiest. I am only touching the surface about her reasoning to not fully transition, but hopefully the explantion above gives you a general idea of her situation. Regardless, even with looking the way she does, Ladiva is still treated with respect and love by everyone around her. And the gender she identifies with is never questioned about negatively. Not once in the game, even by bad people. If you need even more proof she is a transwoman, and not just an effeminate man. The part I mentioned above regarding her reasoning to not fully transition, is due to her being asked directly in an event in game if she'd like to by another trans character by the name of Cagliostro! Who has taken the steps to further her transition. To which Cag is more than happy with Ladiva's decision, and the two end up becoming life long best friends!!! With all this being said. During all my time on the internet, I've often seen people express that Ladiva places trans folk in a negative light, thankfully though, that hasn't always been the case. But when I look at her, I can't help but disagree with the folks speaking badly of her. As if you actually spent the time to learn about her, you'd know that isn't the case! To me, the most important takeaway from Ladiva, in the case of her appearance is that labels, and what people consider to be 'trans' aren't as carved in stone as people think they are. Times can change, and people can learn things about themselves. Heck, some people can spend their entire lives never knowing who they really are. And some know it right from the start. But Ladiva shows us ultimately that you can choose who you want to be. Not because anyone expects it from you, not in order to prove yourself to anyone, but because you deserve to be the person who makes you the happiest. Trans folk come in all shapes, sizes, and from different walks of life. Therefore, I believe if someone says that they're trans, and are they genuine. Then you should respect it, truly. Kindness is a virtue after all in this world. I say all of this as a nonbinary and trans individual, who is still is struggling with finding their identity to this very day. Be who you want to be. And don't let anyone tell you differently. ❤