My name is Caleb Thomas, and I am a 22-year-old junior at Texas Southern University. I regard myself as a bisexual/pansexual individual, not paying any attention to gender in others or how they represent themselves. It was a long road getting to a place where I could acutely describe myself and my sexuality clearly. I was born in Jackson, Mississippi, to an African American Missionary Baptist family with traditional views on life regarding gender and sexuality norms. Finding who I was within this system was extremely difficult, as I was imposing norms on myself that I didn't truly align with. Being my mother's first and only son, I was pushed into traditionally masculine things such as football, basketball, percussion, wrestling, and other sports during my childhood. I never liked doing these sports and struggled with performance in these extracurricular activities. Out of all of these, I enjoyed playing in the school band the most, which helped me stay physically active during my childhood. The act of forcing traditional values on me didn't just stop at sports or extracurricular activities; it was present in my home and throughout most of my extended family. My grandfather, despite being a strong safe space for me as a child, attempted to "toughen me up" when I reached adolescence. I remember being forced to help him with tasks at his barn, even though I wanted to stay with my grandmother and cook. I remember being called weak for not being able to load and carry certain things around his barn. I especially remember being called out by my grandfather for liking perfume and women's clothing when he found out, and never inviting me back to my grandparents' house. Something that helped me cope with the feeling of failure at not meeting my family's expectations was music and writing. I first learned the joy of writing lyrics in middle school, and I learned that I could tell my own story with my lyrics and rhythms. This changed from songwriting to escaping into the internet and reading stories others have written about their lives. I was inspired to read and write my own feelings out and express who I really am through the arts. This led me down a path to where I am now. I wish to be an international journalist to understand people on a global scale, to uncover stories that have been overlooked, and to connect with those who have felt like me once upon a time.