DALLAS – In May 2020 we handed our platform over to black voices in our North Texas community through a series titled “While I Have Your Attention”.
These brave souls spoke out against racial prejudice, race-based violence and systemic racism.
Now that we are celebrating another month of Pride celebrating the LGBTQ + community, we are re-handing our platform to our family, friends and neighbors to raise even more voices in the fight for equality in America.
Cassie Nova
“My mother and I had a real up and down relationship when we came out. Because first I had to come out as a gay man and then again as a drag queen.”
“When she found out I was gay, one of the first words out of her mouth was, ‘Well, don’t ever dress up like no woman.’ Real country. “
“When I was a kid there was a movement called ‘mannequin.’ There was a guy called Hollywood Montrose and he was so overly gay. I loved the figure. But I think it was like, my uncle or someone who just said, “Uh. F ** s. “And I just remember saying, I am – I’m not going to let anyone know I’m gay.”
“It was, ‘Close your heart. Close your heart.’ because one day they’ll deny you. They’re family but don’t cling. It won’t last forever. ”
“My mom found out I was gay – it overwhelmed her. It crushed her. I mean, it took me a long time to come to terms with the fact that I was gay. So I couldn’t wait for her to come to terms with the fact that I was gay right away. I had to give her time too. “
“One day it was Gay Pride. At the end of the parade, it ended in Lee Park. And I remember being there and it was just a full sea – it was just happy gays, ‘That’s what I’ve been missing in my life.’ “
“I worked at Hunky’s … our little neighborhood burger shop. I was kind of an anti-drag queen back then. There was a drag queen walking by and I said, ‘Not all gays want to be represented by drag queens’ and she turned and said to me,’ Little queen, you have no power here. Go away.’ … it really put me in my position and I thought, ‘There is a degree of power there’. It kind of opened my eyes, drag is more than a man disguised as a woman. “
“When I finally started doing drag. It gave me a stage. It gave me a voice. … To move from self-hatred. Self-harm and thoughts of suicide – because each of us went through what, at some point, where we thought it was easier to kill myself than to be gay. The person I am today would never think of suicide. I’m just too strong. “
“Your time will come for any young person who has not yet found their truth.”