Throughout my life, the diversity of my multiple identities has allowed me to view the world differently. It has given me a purpose to care for communities that are impacted intersectionally – from needing a better world. It has forced me to not compartmentalize social justice issues, bias, or hate; instead, to figure out ways to use to my wounds as fuel.
As a person who identifies in the LGBT community, I have found that every issue is interconnected even though they may seem diametrically opposed. It has given me a sense of urgency to address the impact on how including my identity – while excluding other identities for the sake of progress – is destructive and further separates communities. When a community is under attack, my multiple identities oftentimes can provide further depth of understanding on how one issue impacts us all.
Image, Diego Duarte Cereceda
Diversity is the cornerstone of the way in which our society prospers. The world is becoming increasingly diverse, and these changes should be met with openness towards the rapid demographic changes, while simultaneously seeking to include, embrace, and accept them.
Having continuously made every single effort to help my community, I have particularly learned how isolation – when I remained in the closet – made me feel different and unloved. I have witnessed how being ostracized and not included in political systems has affected and has excluded communities from multiple opportunities – that at times – could have saved lives. It’s in these moments, that I have been empowered to use my life to change what I see and to celebrate the moments when I am brave enough to do so.
For example, I have constantly tried to change the issues surrounding marriage equality. Loving partners who had been with each other for years are oftentimes not given visitation rights if their partner becomes sick. In some instances, partners have been excluded and not given medical decision authority when their partner needed someone to act on behalf of their own interest. Additionally, not having the right to claim inheritance over the partners’ belongings removed them from the memories they shared together.
My advocacy in the fight for equality and in working with multiple communities have been necessary components in challenging this status quo. I know much work still needs to be addressed that is inclusive of multiple identities within marriage equality and those who fight with me can’t do it alone. That’s why I appreciate the beliefs and mission of brands, like New World Diamonds that support our aspirations.
I deeply appreciate how they have made it their mission to empower and to help people through their beautiful diamonds who have been affected by exclusivity, bias, and so many other negative things by their beautiful diamonds. The sentiment of diversity in their array of colors exemplifies the need and beauty of having diversity in every aspect of our lives. Their brand encourages each of us to find the strength within ourselves to use our life moments to create a better world.
I have come to realize and acknowledge that creating a better society that embraces intersectional identities constantly requires examination. Striving to put those ideas forward and at the forefront of our lives expands our understanding and love for our fellow human beings. In fact, it is then that each of us can celebrate our uniqueness as we create the society in which we aspire to live.
Image, Jordan McDonald
In each moment of my life, I strive to learn and to help others learn to celebrate and to approach diversity intentionally, holistically, and collectively. By doing so, I hope we can begin to embrace each person as well as create both a diversified and unified vision of the world that we live in now and in the future.
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