What is your name?

Trey Gertz

In what city and county do you live?

Cincinnati, OH

What are your pronouns?

They/Them

What does the word Queer mean to you?

It means being gay and also not aligning with the typical gender norms.

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

It was strange, because in some areas things are okay and you feel like you belong, but in other areas, you can feel the shift of unacceptable in the community there, and all you can do is silently move on.

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

It is so much more worth it to be yourself and surround yourself with those who love you for it than to try and change the way you are to fit the standards of people who don’t like you anyways.

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

Using proper pronouns for people!!! It is so important to me because as a non binary person I am CONSTANTLY getting he/himmed, and I think the best solution to the problem is to just be more aware and to never assume someone’s identity.

Where have you found community?

College! 

How have recent political changes affected your life? 

It has unnerved me. I get more and more nervous and anxious as the days pass, but seeing the political movements like No Kings really gave me some hope.

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

I’m not sure if it’s a thing already, but a queer support group would be so awesome.

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

Experimenting with fashion and makeup and seeing others do the same is something I love to see.

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

The gaming community!!! At UKY / Cincinnati there is a group that plays smash bros regularly, and it’s extremely accepting and definitely somewhere I’ve found a good sense of support for being queer.

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

I got a polaroid and started shooting awesome photos with it!!