Preferred pronoun ( s ) : No pronouns/neutral pronouns; they pronouns, ze pronouns
Identifies as: Many things depending on the day, most frequently queer, pansexual, genderqueer, transgender and androgynous.
Neighborhood: Uptown
Zodiac: Sagittarius
Life's work
"To inspire people to think critically about themselves and the world around them, to promote love and acceptance and share the creative spirit within"
Career
"I am the Career Development Specialist at the Center on Halsted in the Youth Vocational Program. I am the coordinator for Youth Speak OUT, a spoken word and performance arts apprenticeship program. I also facilitate groups on trans* and gender issues in the youth space."
What does "trans" mean to you?
"I use 'trans*' [ with the asterisk ] intentionally to signify that trans can include people that identify as transgender, transsexual, gender variant, etc. and it can mean many different things to different people but is a signal to a community of folks that are determining their own gender regardless of the one they were assigned at birth."
When did you start questioning gender?
"I think I have always questioned gender. One of my first memories is from when I was about four years old making a case to my father about how the association of blue as a boy's color and pink as girl's color was antiquated. I'm not sure he was listening, but really I have spent most of my life believing that gender roles and assumptions are not natural but an out dated way of thinking. "
What is the best thing about being trans/ gender-variant?
"One of the best things about identifying as trans* and genderqueer is that it helps me fulfill my life's work. It requires me to continually examine myself and the world around me. Because I don't feel like I easily fit into what society has already created the world to be, I get to create my own space in the world. This lends me to connecting with others in genuine ways that I would not have otherwise. My world is bigger, more connected and more exciting because I seek to look beyond what is presented and create spaces that work for me."
Do you consider yourself an activist?
"I consider myself to be a continual advocate against oppression, from what I eat to where I work, to how I travel and how I communicate with people. I believe that opportunities to further social progress are everywhere. To better our communities and the quality of life all aspects of our lives can be engaged to distribute power back to people, animals and the earth. "