I was told that being in love with a woman was a consequence of the trauma I have endured throughout my life. Words that no queer person wants to hear from the people they loved so deeply. I am not my trauma. I get to claim my 2SLGBTQIA+ identity proudly, however I decide. My identity is my own–holy, pure, and deserving of celebration.

I feel empowered in the little things. Saying “my girlfriend” when speaking about my partner with another person. Or hold hands with her as we walk down the street. I feel empowered in telling my story and sharing it with others. I feel empowered in just being me–freely and authentically me.

I experience my emotions very intensely–I always have. For so long it was something people poked fun at or wasn’t seen as a valuable characteristic. I have come to love that aspect of myself. I desire to seek to understand and feel the depths of my emotions and appreciate them as they come. Not only does it help me understand myself on a deeper level, it helps me love, understand and genuinely care for others more. Authenticity is precious to me because it was something I suppressed for so long. Now that I have found it, I never want to hide it again. I won’t.

What is your favorite part about the 2SLGBTQ+ community in Oklahoma? What would you like to see more of?

The 2SLGBTQIA+ community in Oklahoma is deeply needed and cherished. Safety for the us as S2LGBTQIA+ people is a luxury within our state, making our little community in OKC that much more meaningful. We have cultivated a space that not only welcomes, but comforts. A vast number of us have been impacted by religious trauma given the overwhelmingly conservative nature of where we live. I am so proud of our little community for creating a place of refuge for so many. As we continue to grow, my hope is to make therapy more safe and accessible for our community. Our most human desire is to be known, seen, and loved. One of my favorite quotes comes from Rachel Snyder’s book, No Visible Bruises: “You’ve heard the saying ‘hurt people hurt people,’…well, I also think healed people heal people”. Therapy teaches us about boundaries of which many of us must implement with those we love who perpetuate harm in our lives due to their unacceptance. Therapy gives us the tools to cope and heal from the hurt. The National Alliance on Mental Illness reported that queer adults are 2x more likely to have a mental illness such as depression and PTSD, and transgender adults are roughly 4x more likely. I hold a Masters degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and have my own therapy journey as well. I want our community to experience true healing and continue the path to discovering our authentic selves. We deserve to give ourselves the unconditional love that every human desires and deserves. With access to therapy we can cultivate a deeper growth within our community and heal alongside one another.