“As I think about how the pandemic has affected both my academic and personal life, my thoughts immediately gravitate towards talking about loss; be it the loss of my Spring Quarter of College, Graduation, being in close proximity to my friends, my apartment in Chicago, precious memories and time, I could go on. So instead, I’d rather focus on talking a bit about what I’ve gained, and what’s helped me to remain resilient over the past couple of months, because I think there’s something to be said about the importance of celebrating and uplifting the ways in which not only survive, but also find joy.

So: Shoutout to my family; both immediate and chosen. Shoutout to my fellow organizers and organizing ancestors. Shoutout to QTPoC (queer trans people of color); specifically Crystal LaBeija, Pepper LaBeija, Dorian Corey, and all the beautiful people I interviewed for my thesis. Shoutout to drinking water. Shoutout to FaceTime calls, video games, and television. I don’t know what I’d do without Casa de Las Flores, Animal Crossing, and Westworld. Shoutout to my new dog, Amadeus Shoutout to workers, doctors, nurses, as well as everyone and anyone who does any sort of labor or work. Shoutout to the Earth Shoutout to my Professors, classmates, and mentors. Shoutout to sleeping Shoutout to artists “ASL shoutout to”. Shoutout to music and dance parties at 3 am and finally, Shoutout to me and to the future, ‘Cause I know that I’ll be happier and I know you will too. Eventually’”