Despite advancements in society towards the understanding of queer identities, there are still a lot of misconceptions regarding the relationship between the concepts of “sexuality” and “gender” because of the way both have been interpreted in white western society for so long. One of the questions I often get about how these concepts relate is: how someone can label themself as nonbinary and gay/lesbian while using “opposing” binary pronouns? For example, a nonbinary he/him lesbian is a nonbinary person who uses he/him pronouns but is attracted to women and not men. I want to discuss why this identity and others like it are valid.
Read MorePart of growing up is realizing that your parents are humans, too. It’s coming to the understanding that there is both good and bad that exist in all of us, and that the most common and important thread that binds us together is love. Not romantic or passive or selfish love, not love-love, but LOVE. To LOVE is to accept someone’s shortcomings, to forgive them their imperfections, and to create the space necessary to grow together. I’m going to tell you how I learned to LOVE my parents.
Read MoreOn the day President Trump sent out a series of tweets announcing his plans to ban trans individuals from enlisting in the military, I called out sick from work and barely left my bed. At the time, I found myself unable to explain exactly why these tweets hit me as hard as they did-- the sentiment wasn’t surprising. But with retrospect, I found that the particular phrasing he decided to use, that trans folks are “expensive” and a “burden”, pulled directly from my darkest fears about myself. To have the person who is supposedly calling the shots in this country validate the feelings that kept me up at night sent me spinning.
Read MoreWhen I was 19 years old, I sat in the second row of a class titled “Research in Disciplines: Identity.” I signed up for the class because it was mandatory in order to graduate. I chose the topic, “Identity,” because it seemed more interesting to me than the other option, “Urban Development.”
Read MoreIn the months leading up to my college graduation, I felt as if I were running towards a cliff unsure of what was waiting for me after the leap. My parents and teachers assured me that it was just water, that I might have to wade for a bit before I learned to swim but that the waves would catch me. So I lept and waded and found myself a few months after graduating with a job, a new place to live, and a few friends.
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