DEE
TENNESSEE| SERIES # 4
My name is Dee. I identify as transgender and I use he, him, his pronouns. Growing up in Memphis, most people didn't talk about the LGBTQ community. I didn't learn about it until I got a little bit older. My parents (and other family members) knew that I was questioning by assigned gender identity, but didn't want to talk about it. Most of them were accepting, but it wasn’t a comfortable conversation topic.
Last year, I got much more comfortable discussing it. I was tired of hiding behind a mask, and wanted to be myself-- living my life without listening to others. I attribute a lot of this to finding OUTMemphis. When I found them, I was 22 years-old, searching for the freedom to be myself. At the time, I was homeless and stranded on the streets. When I first arrived to the center, it felt like a family. The environment felt like home, and the positive atmosphere encouraged me to meet other members of the community (as well as the lovely staff members). They took me under their wing. The center is doing wonderful work and is a place anyone can go to without being judged; you can express yourself in whatever fashion you need to. It’s everybody coming together as one, defying the odds, together in unison. My life has gotten a lot better since coming out. Some people aren’t accepting, but most are very supportive. That acceptance gave me the comfort to be more vocal.
I started off volunteering for OUTMemphis. This allowed me to give back by sharing my story, and helping others along the way. It started as doing simple front desk work and errands, but grew. I was recently elected to be a board member. My title is Youth Liaison, and I feel such purpose. Without OUTMemphis, I would still be lost, trying to find my way. I would be unguided. I wouldn't know the things that I know now, and I wouldn't have the wonderful support that I have now.
I was in the Rapid Rehousing Program and didn't know what to expect at first. It was all so new and overwhelming. They got me housed at a time that I lost hope. I didn’t think I’d get a second chance, but the program gave me one. It was so overwhelming, and changed my life. They've been so caring, and helped me with everything I need. I am currently working on getting a grant to help the we have. My experience highlighted what could be improved about the program. With the grant, the youth coming into the program will have everything they need to get by.
I want to make a difference and change someone else's life for the better. My goal is to go back to college, study psychology, and become a counselor. I will continue to help people, and to let people know that they’ll be okay. Nobody is perfect. Everything is temporary, and there’s always a light at the end of the tunnel. You can always weather the storm.
Thank you Project Contrast for everything you’re doing You have no idea how you are impacting somebody's life. You are allowing people to move forward and strive to be better.
