Toes

There is this one community member in Philly that always asks me this: “So…are you getting your feet wet?” It is the most adorable thing and I can’t help but think about how much this job has submerged me in the queer community—and has helped me “get my feet wet.”

I interviewed a young woman the other day about her new position for a youth-oriented program. She described how her new position was her “dream job” and I could not help but smile at that notion—basically because I could relate.

It has been three months since I started this job and in those three months, I have done more than I could ever think possible and it has lead me to the most amazing opportunities.

Throughout these months, I have come to this one conclusion: never listen to anyone’s doubts.

Whatever career path you choose, someone will always have doubts. Specifically in journalism, you will always hear the phrase “oh it is impossible to find a job in journalism. Good luck!”—Or something along the lines of a smart-ass comment.

The great thing is when you prove them wrong. When your passion and talent is recognized, when someone decides to take a chance on you.

And sometimes those chances can lead to bigger change.

Just recently, I had received the opportunity to talk with Israel’s top LGBTQ group, The Aguda. I’ve had the opportunity to interview Pennsylvania’s first Democrat and female Attorney General, Kathleen Kane. I get to work under the nation’s leading LGBT journalist and activist and I get to be a part of the best team.

I’m getting used to the community. I’m getting used to Philadelphia. I’m getting used to the names and the faces and quite frankly, I think they are getting used to me (or at least I hope so).

I love that everyone’s birthday is celebrated here. I love that I can eat at my desk. I love that I can listen to music while I write. I love that I can be a WCU grad and make a difference in the LGBT community (Ty Gloria Casarez for that inspiration!)

I also love that so far, in my personal community, being LGBT is not so much a bad thing. I am getting more comfortable talking about my work place. I hope to gain more comfort in writing about it too.

Through this experience, I have the opportunity to open that can-of-worms in my hometown. I am able to write about the LGBT community that exists and to shed light on small-towns and their LGBT residents. From my research and my observations, it is not as bad as I thought it would be.

I’m not really sure what this blog post is about—but I thought I would share these things. Maybe it is about not giving up, not listening to the negative people in your life. Maybe it is about embracing your community and finding rolemodels. Or maybe it is about looking deeper into your life and your own community and finding the positive.