Be the Person You Were Born to Be, and Don’t Let Anyone Stop You

This Pride Month, we’re turning up the volume on LGBTQ+ teens and young adults who are leading the charge to end gun violence in their schools and communities. Meet Bo (he/him), a fearless LGBTQ+ leader from Albuquerque, New Mexico. As part of Students Demand Action, Bo is not only fighting to keep his generation safe from gun violence—he’s also speaking out against the growing wave of attacks on LGBTQ+ youth. Read his story to get inspired by the power of showing up and speaking out.

What does “Pride” (the emotion and the month) mean to you? Why is this month-long celebration important for LGBTQ+ young people?

Pride is a time to celebrate; to celebrate ourselves, to celebrate our history, and to celebrate how far we’ve come and what we’re continuing to fight for. But Pride is more than a celebration—it’s a movement of resistance, it’s a protest. Pride is a reminder that our joy IS resistance, and that cannot be taken away from us no matter what people do or say. This celebration is important for queer and trans youth because they can see how visible they actually are, and they can see the incredible history and impact our community holds and continues to have.

Is your work to end gun violence in your community influenced by your LGBTQ+ identity? If so, how?

My queer and trans identity is definitely an influence, but it isn’t the only one. However, coming from a community where we have seen such violence and hatred aimed at us, it definitely plays a huge role in why I think LGBTQ+ voices play such an incredible role in the work to end gun violence. Black trans women are one of the most vulnerable groups when it comes to violence and gun violence, and that gets brought up in my thought process all the time when we discuss community impacts from gun violence.

How have you seen LGBTQ+ young people show up to resist legislative attacks recently?

Young queer and trans folks just continue to unapologetically be themselves—again, visibility and joy are acts of resistance, and that is beautiful. They continue to speak up against what is wrong, whether it seems to directly affect them or not—they want to be there for their community, and we are stronger together.

What would you tell LGBTQ+ young people who might be afraid of what the future holds?

Although people are trying to erase us, we will not be invisible. We won’t stop existing just because they want us to—we will continue to fight for us to live the way we deserve. We deserve to live without fear, hate, and violence. Our voices are important, regardless of what others say. Tell anti-LGBTQ+ lawmakers to respect our existence, or expect resistance because we are not going anywhere. BE different, that’s what makes you beautiful and unique. BE that queer person that proudly goes to a dance with their partner. BE that trans person that runs for homecoming or prom court—I did, and it was an act of resistance! BE the person you were born to be, and don’t let anyone stop you.