Today we continue our series of Pride Stories sharing Jaye’s story.
I’m Jaye. Sometimes I rock makeup and heels, other times a backwards hat and hoodie. I’m a divine combination of masculine and feminine energies in one human form. As a genderqueer/nonbinary individual I’m not always met with acceptance. Bodhi however, honors my queer identity in a way that not only supports, and loves me, but see’s my identity as a gift to honor and cherish. As a user of the “they/them” pronoun I’m proud when my community gets it right, it warms my heart when “they” comes out of someone’s mouth as easily as “he” previously would. It’s a shift for people, and this community is devoted to honoring my path.
I have no fear, reservation, or question about my gender identity when engaging because my authenticity is strength. Bodhi and our Spiritual Director Lola Wright have spoken on being a ‘Holy Disruptor’. This is the space where we always are, holding the high watch and expanding societal norms. I see my LGBTQ identity as an opportunity to be a Holy Disruptor, to challenge the status quo, and show people a different side of the LGBTQ community. Pride is taking that which make you unique, loving it, celebrating it, and elevating for the highest good it can be. I love this community and am so blessed to be part of it.
– Jaye
