Violeta, Age 21, Florida
VIOLETA: This all feels very dystopian. At a subconscious level it’s all probably affecting me, but I can’t let it get to me because I have things to do. Sometimes I get overwhelmed, like everything is going to collapse and fall apart. And I have to really make an effort to just push it away because I don’t want to enter into that kind of headspace. Over the years I developed disassociation and unhealthy coping mechanisms, that through therapy and my own self work, turned into healthy coping mechanisms.
MOM: I see everyone as equal in the sense that, we are all human beings. And as human beings, we have feelings and the feelings of each and every human being must be met with respect. I don’t agree with these laws, not at all.
VIOLETA: Growing up I had literally no Latino, non-binary, femme role models – except maybe Frida Kahlo. I figured, why wait to see it? I could be my own representation. Humans are very prone to cycles, and prone to following the masses. The Trump presidency empowered a lot of people who were already ignorant, who were already hateful, to be more audacious with their hatred.
One of the most powerful ways that we can take part in the revolution is self-sustainability. A good act of political defiance is existing, and trying our hardest to be ok, and surviving. The transphobic and homophobic people think ‘If we do this enough, they’ll get the message and they’ll disappear.’ Maybe we can’t change their minds, but we can at least demonstrate that they’re not going to make us go away. We exist. We have lives, we have jobs, we are people.
MOM: As a mom, and being Latina, I grew up in a culture where all I saw was mom, dad, female, male, parents and children. I can see the pain and shame my daughter feels at not being accepted as she is. For me, it has not been easy. But I try to see her, her inner self, her soul, her feelings, her values, her struggle. I am very proud of her. I’m very proud of her fight, her impetus, her strength. I am so very proud. And I love her so much.
If parents knew how important understanding this is, and how important it is to give them the support they need, we would have children that felt more freedom to express themselves, with more freedom to love and be loved. Why mistreat them? Why hurt them? Of course, we make mistakes. I have made many mistakes with her, but at the same time, I have known how to understand her, I have known how to love her, just as she is. We have to learn to respect. We have to learn to love people for who they are.
VIOLETA: Eventually with practice, it gets easier to show up as yourself and to be less afraid. I don’t think the fear ever goes away, but you learn to live with it. Prioritize your mental health.