Finding The LGBTQ+ Community
Growing up in elementary school, Dani remembered many of the negative things their classmates criticized them for. Phrases such as “You have a high-pitched voice” and “You scream like a girl” made them feel outcasted and ashamed of how they express themselves.
In addition, Dani lacked an LGBTQ+-identifying teacher in K-12 to help them navigate their sexuality and gender identity.
“It would have helped me in my journey to have an LGBTQ+-identifying teacher, starting from elementary all the way to where I am now. I really hope that my kids specifically and really for any kids out there for future generations, I hope for there to be more LGBTQ+ teachers and administrations at school,” Dani said.
When they recently came out as transgender, Dani remembered removing their body hair, including their mustache, in order to appear less masculine. Nonetheless, therapy helped embrace certain aspects of their gender expression.
“It’s okay to not identify as a male and still have a mustache because mustaches are not only for males. Muscles are not only for males,” Dani said.
During their last few weeks of 10th grade in 2021, Dani learned about Rainbow Labs’ Storytelling Lab through their teacher named Ms. Kortkamp, who leads a Gay-Straight Alliance chapter at their high school. Dani applied and got accepted into the program.
“I didn’t expect to be in the Storytelling Lab or with Rainbow Labs. It was more of a ‘Why not?’ Why not do something that I haven’t really done and expose myself to something new?” Dani said.
The Storytelling Lab introduced them to the art of crafting and telling a story. Besides that, it provided Dani a safe space to share their story and not be ashamed of it. As a result, they were able to regain the power to tell their story.
“Working with my mentors in the Storytelling Lab, … I began to look at my experience in a more positive point of view. It really helped me sort of be the person that I am now,” Dani said.
In addition, community was another important aspect for Dani. This allowed them to find people in the LGBTQ+ community they could rely on.
“We’ve built a family. And we’ve built a place where we have that shoulder to cry on. We have someone to ask us about our day,” Dani said.
Why should one participate in the Rainbow Labs? The wide range of opportunities, such as mentorship, allow for LGBTQ+ youth to grow in many ways they haven’t thought of before. And the most significant aspect of them all is the community building.
“The mentors, the bonds, the relationships that you make here, they’re for life,” Dani said.
Rainbow Labs is currently seeking mentors and mentees for all upcoming programs. If you’re interested in being involved, check out the link here: https://www.rainbowlabs.org/the-mentormentee-experience
