Queer Kentucky has partnered with Louisville Magazine for our fourth print issue. We asked Louisvillians and Kentuckians at large about their queerness and its relationship to the city, where they feel at home, who was there for them when it felt like nobody else was, the biggest issues facing Louisville’s queer communities, and much more. We would love it if you — whether you live in Louisville or not — would answer the questions too. If you’d like to, you can find the interview here. In this issue, you will find stories of Queer Kentuckians telling tales of their beloved safe spaces, paying tribute to the loved ones who uplifted them when no one else would, laughing about their coming out stories, and so much more. Kentucky, and Louisville, have a lot of work left to do when it comes to embracing the queer community. But hey, it’s not as bad as people think it is. Read on, you’ll see. You can purchase the print version of this issue here.

by Levi House he/him

photo by Jon Cherry for Queer Kentucky

Besides your own house — or the house of family or friends — what Louisville place makes you feel at home?

Cherokee Park and Cox Park make me feel at home. There is something about nature that feels all-welcoming, totally unconditional in its invitation and acceptance. Everyone has a place, and at the same time, the place is no one’s. Cherokee is big enough that you can almost feel lost in it, and you can certain- ly hide in it. Cox Park feels similar. Both places have held big, queer loves of mine — park dates, hangouts when a future partner and I have been just friends, breakups, get-back-togethers. The first time I ever kissed a boy in public. Maybe some of those moments were in secluded areas of the park, tucked away behind the old Cherokee Park tennis courts or hidden on the river shore at Cox Park where other people might not have seen, but the land and trees and water did, and they held me and the people I was with in those moments, just as we were.

Who was there for you when it felt like nobody else was?

My sister has always been there for me when I have felt totally alone. Sometimes it has felt like she knows me better than I do.

Who was the person you chose to come out to?

I chose to come out as trans to my first girlfriend because I knew she was kind. I didn’t know what she would say or if she would be cool with it or continue to date me, but I knew that I couldn’t keep it to myself anymore, and I trusted her. She was one of the first people who made me feel like just ‘me’ when I was around them, instead of just ‘a girl.’ I knew she could keep a secret until I wanted it to not be one.

What piece of art — a book, a painting, a movie, a TV show, etc. — means the most to you?

Glamorous, the Netflix series, depicts a trans character in a way that makes their being trans the least interesting thing about them. The character’s life is so full, and we learn so much about them before being let in on the fact that they’re trans. We also see how their own understanding of, and relationship to, their gender develops as normal aspects of their life continue and feed into this discovery. We’re also shown how important real community is for queer and trans people while being reminded to be fierce, to stay true to ourselves, and that doing so is hard work and takes bravery and guts, and that we are worth it and deserving of living our truth and allowing ourselves to discover what our truth fully is. It felt so beautiful and important to see a trans character portrayed as essentially a normal person, who is layered and complex and figuring it out and living a full and beautiful life. Note: Using gender-neutral pronouns to potentially avoid spoilers.

There is a book called American Boys that captures stories and portraits of trans masc people across the U.S., all of them very different, but all of them standing so proud. Looking through it and seeing so many people who are so full of life and pride makes me feel powerful, brave and proud. It makes me feel less alone. It makes me feel like one of a kind. It makes me feel like there is so much opportunity to learn and to share with one another and that there are so many people like me out there. It also feels empowering and encouraging to know that there are people who are documenting the experiences of trans people, especially in a time when more and more efforts appear to erase them.