Color Coded Queers June 2015 | Page 5

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6. Are you proud of your gender and/or sexuality and why?

I am very proud of my sexuality because masculinity, especially in the black community, has a very stiff and controlling set of standards. in the black community, same gender loving men are seen as less than their counterparts and are told not to be apart of the black community.

7. Are you proud of your race and/or ethnicity and why?

Of course! there’s absolutely NO reason why a black teenager should be ashamed of their race in the american culture we live in today. i fully believe that black children are taught not to love themselves and the hardships i went through during my preteen years would've been avoided. loving myself is the most important factor to happiness and positivity.

8. Has anyone ever made feel ashamed of your gender and/or sexuality?

Yes -- this was a huge problem for me not too long ago actually

9. Has anyone ever made feel ashamed of your race and/or ethnicity?

All the time! It’s only an opportunity for growth at this point.

10. What was your response to the people who do try to make you feel ashamed for any aspects of your identity?

I usually take it as inspirations for art, like using it as a “stuff white people say” graphic or something of that nature. Comedy and activism through art is really big for me, and i think its a great coping outlet for others to build from attempted acts of hate