Kim Blandon has an extensive history in community organizing and activism that goes back to their childhood growing up in Hialeah. They are Two-Spirit and pansexual.

“I've known since I was a kid, how I like to describe it is not conforming to being a female, my emotions, my feelings, and my expressions. It's a mix of both, especially with the male side. It's how I've tapped in over the last few years, how to be brave and also nurture myself fully as an individual.” 

Blandon studied sociology and anthropology at FIU, graduating in 2021. 

“Later in college, what got me really involved with the LGBTQ community, just being [a] community. After I graduated, I took part in advocating against ‘Don't Say Gay,’ and how it came about I was just really frustrated after graduating with a degree in sociology and anthropology, and perceived those attacks as personal because of my background in high school, being able to be gay and being able to be outspoken, I wanted to see younger people feel the same way and be a part of that in their generation.” 

Blandon reflects on what being “Out and Proud” means to them.

“Being out and proud is being able to express yourself,” Blandon said. “It's being able to be happy within your community, spread that love and really uplift each other. Being out means we're able to enable others to feel safe and being out and be themselves.”

Homepage: OUT & PROUD 2024