What is your name?

Willow Morgan

 

In what city and county do you live?

Richmond, Madison County

 

What are your pronouns?

They/them/theirs

 

What does the word Queer mean to you?

Queer to me means: me. It means living as your true and growing self, always learning more about yourself as you explore yourself. Queer means happiness, even with a lot of people in the world screaming that we’re wrong. Queer is learning and growing together, being happy together, and being who you are unapologetically. 

 

What was it like growing up as a Queer person in Kentucky?

I was an oblivious queer person, I suppose. I didn’t really know I was queer until later in college, but growing up in Louisville, I knew a lot of queer people who were my friends. I love my queer friends, especially now that I’ve figured out that part of who I am! Growing up in Louisville, it was more accepted, but my friends were still discriminated against at times. My parents didn’t really know how to talk about it, but my mom always taught me to be and love myself and others no matter their identity or skin tone or anything. 

 

What would you say to any person struggling to come into their own identity?

Hey friend, I’m sorry you’re struggling with coming into your identity. I know it’s beyond difficult to find who you are, especially being told who you’re “supposed to be” for most of your life. But remember this is a journey, gender expression and sexuality can always change for you as you learn more about yourself. If you decide to come out as one identity but decide later that it doesn’t really fit you anymore, that’s okay. The people who care about you will adjust and support you. You don’t have to worry about others who don’t. Hold on to your support group, they will always be there for you. And most importantly, hold on to you. Listen to yourself, and I hope you have the safe space to express and be who you are. We’ve got this together, even if you have to wait a bit for safety 🫶

 

What issue are you most passionate about in the Queer community? And what do you think the best solution or approach would be?

I think that a common and bad issue in the queer community is certain members invalidating the identities of other members of the community. For example, gay/lesbian people being transphobic by assigning gender to genitalia or sex assigned at birth and calling it their “preference.” Another example is when some white queer people discriminate and exclude Black, Indigenous, and other people of color queer people solely because of their skin color or ethnicity. I honestly don’t know the best solution or approach. But I do know that people can learn and grow, education and bringing new perspectives to people with those mindsets can be a start. I try to always be friendly and approachable for anyone and then I tell them I’m nonbinary. So it gives a good impression to people so they can see that nonbinary people “aren’t so bad.” Why we even have to do this is beyond me, I was taught to treat others how I would want to be treated. With kindness. I think maybe people are just insecure and that’s why they have these transphobic and/or racist ideals. I know that these ideals can be taught to people, especially by parents or other adults while they’re growing up. But it’s each person’s responsibility to be a better person for their community and relearn their ideals, especially if they were taught to hate. It’s simple, yet so difficult for people to change. Change is inevitable, we just have to keep leading the horse to water.

 

Where have you found community?

I have found close community with my trusted friends. I want to find community in my city, I’m slowly doing that by joining a mutual aid group through the library. People I know from EKU have also reconnected with me and I have joined a couple queer-friendly groups there. There are also a few businesses in Richmond and Lexington who support and have queer people as owners, which is really great. But it’s hard to trust anyone, especially with how our government is right now. How people are responding to our government, too. Showing their true nasty colors. So I hold on to my friends. The people who have been there for me, supported me, and let me support them too. We’ve cried and been vulnerable to each other. Those are the people I hold on to, and I feel like that’s all I really need. I want to be that queer elder/sibling to those in my community who need it, so I always keep a close eye out when I’m out and about in the community. 

 

How have recent political changes affected your life? 

Luckily, they have not affected my means to live yet. Hopefully they never do. I currently legally identify with my sex assigned at birth, despite changing my name legally. I did not want to identify with that, but I don’t care to be a target for the government. I suppose I am one since I have a uterus, which hopefully I can be sterilized soon and not have to worry about abortion access. I am grateful I am able to get breast reduction surgery coming up in October, I’m glad the surgeon, hospital, and insurance are taking me seriously with the urgency of getting this done ASAP. I have a great job with a queer owner/boss who of course sees me for me and will protect me and my wages despite the government’s hateful actions and laws. Mentally, I am devastated and terrified. Everyday is new disgusting law or proposal to continue the genocide of transgender people in America. Everyday I see BIPOC trans people who are being murdered, evicted, fired, raped, and left for dead. It’s angering more than anything. This could all be prevented if we were just left alone. And this administration’s actions are affecting EVERYONE, including cisgender people. They’re now trying to make gay marriage illegal…like can we be for real? This is exhausting and everyday I’m terrified for all my transgender friends who have legally changed their sex. I’m terrified for all the trans Black women who could be murdered at any moment for just existing! I hate that there is so much HATE against queer people solely for existing. I know our government wants to eradicate us because we are outside of the binary “norm,” which then makes other people question the binary they live in, which then makes them question how this whole capitalism system is set up to use them and abuse their time, life, effort all for billionaires to get richer. That’s why they want us gone, we are a constant reminder to everyone that you CAN step outside of the norm. You can. Please do, the time is now. 

 

What are some ideas you have for bringing other queer people together for community?

Riots! (just kidding…kind of). But for real, I think doing mutual aid events and otherwise would be a great way to help each other and get to know each other. Trans picnics in the park, making lunches for houseless people together and meeting with people to give them food and love, doing clothing swaps, skill swaps and learning/making things together (like clothing, gardening, automotive work, etc). There’s so much we could be doing besides being stuck on our phones and in our own lives. The government wants us to be individualistic so that we aren’t stronger than when we’re together. 

 

If you have been on HRT, how has it changed your outlook on life?

I used HRT in 2022 for a year. Testosterone changed my outlook on life. There was a lot of struggle with the negative side effects and finding my identity as a nonbinary person while I was on T. But eventually, it was T that helped me realize “wait a sec, I’m not a trans man. I’m just a lil guy.” And henceforth, I am nonbinary! I got the lower voice I ALWAYS wanted, the extra body and facial hair, and the more confused “sir…er ma’am?” comments that just make me so happy 🙂 The next step is top surgery, which is set for October!! But T has easily helped make me love my body more and more. I love my voice now, way more than ever before. It’s truly life-saving and so easy to get off of if you decide you don’t want to progress further like I did.  

 

What are some LGBTQ+ experiences/artists that have helped you express the struggles or the joy of being queer? 

There are too many to list here, so I’ll name just two music artists and one event. Chappell Roan and Boy Genius are fantastic artists that have also directly connected me to my partner 🙂 Absolute queer joy is what I think of when I think of that music (like “True Blue” and “Kalidescope”) because I think of my babe. But I also experience the pain and hardship of being queer from their music, too. Especially when talking about the struggles of being AFAB and queer. The most connecting queer event I’ve been too was Kentuckiana Pride 2024. Chappell Roan performed there, as well. There were over 25,000 queers there and the energy was just so hopeful. I never want to forget that day. 

 

Are there any specific queer friendly places you’d like to highlight and share with the rest of the community? 

Yes!! Foxtrail Handpoke I’m Richmond, KY is a fantastic handpoke tattoo shop owned by amazing queer Rissa! They do such amazing work and are the friendliest, kindest person you could ever get tattooed by. They also know people to get in tough with about legal stuffs for queer people, too. 

 

If you have some accomplishments you’re proud of, share them here! The accomplishments of queer people are something that should be celebrated!

Yes! I am so excited because I’m slowly becoming a knowledgeable professional body piercer 🙂 I am apprenticing and learning at an awesome, queer-friendly and owned shop. I also have recently accomplished my favorite hair cut, which I cut myself. I feel like myself and have even inspired others to get similar hair cuts! I am always a loud advocate about gender affirming care in all forms for all people!