There was never a specific quote that I had felt to be empowering to me, they were all the same, and though the reasoning may not be seen as important, as a woman of color it never felt directed towards me. They felt hopeful, something that as a first-generation immigrant, as a low-income Latina woman, I simply couldn't afford to have, I couldn’t afford to dream big. "Diary of a Reluctant Dreamer," written by Alberto Ledesma was full of vignettes with quotes that hit me. I lived in fear for most of my life, and these drawings, these phrases were ones that I had felt so incredibly connected to. “For those of us who don’t come from privilege, no dream, no matter how righteous, is made without some struggle” - Alberto Ledesma, “Diary of a Reluctant Dreamer” I struggled with the idea that I had to work hard, there was so much that I feared, whether it be the deportation of my family or the health of my family as we were struggling financially. There was always a worry in my mind, a struggle, or belief that I wasn’t meant to achieve much, and so I was held back with this idea, the struggles that kept me in place. Working harder to me means seeking higher education, but with my parent’s current financial state I need to work harder to be able to achieve these dreams and goals that I have already set out to achieve. The quote was one that made me remember I wasn’t the only one struggling, that those who also struggled had made it far. Those who worked hard were shown results, however, there was always a fear that despite working hard, like many, I wouldn't be able to do much. I shouldn’t allow my struggles to hold me back from doing what I wish to do, hold me back from my dream of receiving the education that I want and pursuing the career I wish, and yet I still allow them to. The quote is a fresh one, one that I had felt connected to the moment I had seen it, read it. I had known these struggles since the beginning, but there was never any true motivation. I didn’t feel worthy enough to combat these struggles, let alone worthy enough if given the opportunity to work for my dreams, but now here we are trying to work for them To many it may seem as if it’s too late, in-coming high school senior, likely not going into the best college, but I think my dreams and goals have just begun to set in. No more being pushed back by any form of struggle. This quote will always be a reminder to me, it feeds me the hope and belief in myself that I have been missing since I was a kid.

Twitter: @ailspace I'm proud that even with the encouragement and hate we still refuse to give in to this heteronormative society. I'm proud that we fight to love who we love, and we defend ourselves from any form of bigotry. I'm proud of all those who have had the courage to come out to friends, family despite these fears, despite any encouragement they might've received, and despite the outcome, they might've had.