I had my first kiss with a girl in the elementary playground.  Now this isn’t to replicate Katy Perry’s ‘I Kissed a Girl and I Liked It’ song in any way possible; this is just to tell you a significant part that left a spark in my life. I am Edvandamae Saintil, but please call me Mae. I am a vivacious lesbian whose ambition is to change the world for the better. I am currently studying Electronic Engineering Technology to become an Electronics Technologist/ Technician.  Being born into a rigorously religious family, I was in denial about my love interests. This left me feeling lost in who I was; constantly trying to fit in, and even mirroring others’ looks and personalities to feel seen. That wasn’t me, and deep down I knew it wasn’t. It all started when I took matters into my own hands and unleashed the most groundbreaking chemical experiment the world ever asked for—from none other than a religious Caribbean teenager. Yep... I dyed my hair. Scientists were not ready. My mom gasped. My ancestors rolled. History. Was. Made. The chocolate brown gave me that bold, head-turning pop I was craving… but only if I positioned myself under direct sunlight like a houseplant at golden hour. Iconic. Unfortunately, the boldness I craved didn’t come from the dye—it wasn’t something that could be painted on. Instead, I started searching inward, tracing the contours of what I truly loved, until, bit by bit, I found the essence of who I was meant to be. A charismatic, sweet, thoughtful, smart, and funny black, lesbian Nubian queen. LESBIAN?! No way. That’s not me. Are you sure? But surely, I had to be. Some of my closest friends identify as LGBTQ+, and watching them live their truth has been a lesson in bravery. The LGBTQ+ community has had such a huge impact on my life, and honestly, I didn’t even know what I was missing until I was surrounded by all the love, authenticity, and glitter. The LGBTQ+ community has played an important role in shaping how I see the world, and that’s part of what led me to major in Electronic Engineering Technology. Being surrounded by my people, individuals who are incredibly creative, bold, and unafraid to challenge social norms, showed me the value of thinking differently and embracing innovation. That mindset really resonated with me and pushed me toward a field where I could bring ideas to life in new and impactful ways. Being around people who had to fight to be themselves has taught me resilience, problem-solving, and the power of community. Choosing  Electronic Engineering Technology wasn’t just about enjoying electronics or problem-solving (though I do!), it was also about choosing a path where I can think creatively, build with purpose, and hopefully, open doors for others like doors were opened for me.