Black people experience so much pressure. Add sexuality on top of that, and itâs an extra weight to carry around. It was painful not having anyone to look up to that looked like me growing up. It told me that thereâs no way I can do music or be an actor because I couldnât name one person who was doing it. Thatâs why I made the decision to hide [my sexual orientation]. But once I was no longer afraid, I worked on getting rid of that fear and that shame. Itâs an ongoing journey, but I am realizing thereâs a lot of power and beauty in that. Itâs a gift.










