Who would have thought that the inaugural alumni speaker at business school would be a queer, nonprofit professional who moonlights as a drag king and got a “D” in accounting?
Last week, I was invited to speak at the 28th Annual Bentley University Rainbow Lunch as the event’s alumni speaker. Students shared their honest experiences navigating the world as young queer people, and Jim Obergefell (of legalizing same-sex marriage fame) gave a powerful keynote that reminded us to keep our present and history close at heart.
Then, it was my turn to close out the event with a call to action about queer joy. Every move I’ve made has been rooted in joy and drives my inclusion work through consulting and nonprofit leadership. I reminded students to keep joy as a guiding force in their lives, whether in how they make career decisions, cultivate community, or simply spend their free time.
Putting together these remarks was an important personal reflection, but feeling their message have impact in a room of queer and allied students, staff, and faculty was an unparalleled joy and honor itself.
Here are some snippets from my speech:
Too often do people feel the need to hide part of the themselves, to be acceptable at work, to be understood by our birth family, or even to fit in among our chosen community. When we feel true joy, there are no masks or closets.
As you think about how you spend your time and energy, prioritize joy. Maybe you know what brings you joy, or maybe you are still figuring that out. Whether it’s quiet and personal, or loud and in community, don’t ignore it.
Build the life that you want. And advocate for the world to be a better, more affirming place for all queer people. And center joy at every step of the way.
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