This essay is from the INDY’s Portrait of Pride series. You can read the rest of the pieces here.

As a queer person, a political awakening is not optional. I learned what being gay was from my elementary school bullies. I learned how the government discriminates against queerness when North Carolina passed HB 2. I learned that my school administrators were there to protect me as a student, but not as a queer one, as they asked me to not wear makeup to school or express pride in my queerness. Most recently, I learned that my university was willing to accept my free labor in orchestrating student events until those events involved my work as a drag artist.

 All of these moments in my lifetime have held a duality between pain and fuel. Of course, these moments have knocked me down. It is hard to stand up proudly for who you are and what you believe in when facing stark opposition from your peers and institutions who are allegedly there to protect you. This has made me feel weak and pushed me into a mold that the world thinks I should fit, forcing me into silence against the hatred and discrimination that I’ve faced. 

However, these instances have also served as a source of fuel for me. Just as queer people have no other option but to be politically aware, for me, there is also no other choice but to take action and fight back. 

My first attack is to always ensure that I’m registered to vote and participate in every election down the whole ballot. I also organize within my community to make sure that our essential rights are protected, from queer rights to voting rights to fighting against racist legislation. I am a proud drag queen that will take any rhinestoned moment behind the microphone to inform my audience about pressing issues and encourage them to get to the polls. Now, as I begin my journey in law school, I will use my education to fight for these issues in the courtroom. 

This year, we all need to vote and bring along all of our friends and family with us too. It is no secret that oppression against queer people is all around us. But, let it be even more known that queer people will never go down without a fight. Let your voice be heard, your ballots cast and your truest self shine.

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