I was born and raised in Fort Lauderdale, Florida — sheltered, bookish, and without the language to describe what I felt inside. As a kid, I always played the “dad” when my sister and I played house. I didn’t know why — I just knew bows and dresses weren’t for me. I wanted cornrows, Jordans, and basketball shorts. Eventually, people called me a tomboy. Still, I didn’t yet know what LGBTQ meant.

