Interview by Emily Hessney Lynch.

Published August 28, 2020.

Where are you from? How did you end up in Rochester?

I was born in San Diego and moved to Rochester when I was three or four years old. My parents met here in Rochester and took a very long extended honeymoon! I’ve spent some time in NYC on and off, but Rochester is where I’ve known the most.

What are some hidden gems you've discovered around Rochester?

There’s a mall/park on Park and Meigs that’s a nice spot to go and think. It’s tucked away behind some apartments, right near where World Hair used to be.

If you had $100 and two hours to kill, how would you spend the money/time?

I’d definitely stop by the art gallery and have lunch at Brown Hound too. I’d make a quick stop at RoCo, then go down Park Ave and visit Parkleigh. Afterwards, I’d get cheesecake from Cheesy Eddie’s.

What's your favorite neighborhood?

I’d say the East End--I live, work, and play in that neighborhood. I also love South Wedge, Corn Hill, and the Susan B. Anthony neighborhood.

What are some of your favorite nonprofits to support? 

The main one for me is the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra. I love the MAG too. The arts and culture have been one of the main threads in my life, even as a young kid. I love all the arts and cultural institutions here. I’ve worked at the RPO for about four years now; I started part-time doing ticket sales and now do our content marketing!

If you could only eat one Rochester food for the rest of your life, what would it be? 

Garbage plates! Maybe the monster plate pizza from Ken’s Pizza Corner--it’s so good.

What's one memory that captures what Rochester means to you? 

This one made me cry a lot--last year, the Red Wings hosted a Pride Night, and it generated a lot of talk on social media. Some people thought it was a terrible idea and the Red Wings never should have proposed it. There was an onslaught of negative comments. That night, we just saw the community come together regardless of sexual or gender identity, watch the game, and you could feel and see the love. I was asked to sing both the National Anthem and God Bless America that night, which was very nervewracking! I was really emotional the whole time.

What makes Rochester unique? 

Its history as being avant garde in terms of social issues. This is the city of Frederick Douglass and Susan B. Anthony. There aren’t many cities that can pride themselves on being a center for change at the local and national level. We’ve been a key part of abolition, women’s rights, and queer rights. Growing up and going to school here, you hear about these legendary figures, and when you go to a different city, people don’t know those figures are from your hometown!

What would you like to see change in Rochester over the next year? 

Bringing in more Black and Brown voices, especially when it comes to the arts. Not just here but all across the country, too. Even here, where we pride ourselves on being the city of Douglass and Anthony, the voices of Black and Brown women and queer people are often marginalized. If we want to carry their torch, we have to pass it on to people who have the capability to bring people together regardless of color, culture, or creed.

If Rochester was a person, who would it be? 

It would be Scrooge from A Christmas Carol. We’ve got so much income inequality--such a wide gap. But when people of affluence learn the issues that are going on in the community, they do not hesitate to give their resources to those who are underserved. We need to learn our mistakes and learn about our past in order to better our future.

How would you describe the LGBTQ+ community in Rochester? 

Like Rochester as a whole, it’s a tolerant community, but there are still issues when it comes to racial justice and promoting queer people of color as a whole. The community is still adapting. The likes of Trillium Health and MOCHA have been a strong voice for Black and Brown folks. In recent years, the Out Alliance has helped uplift voices, but now there’s a gap. There are individuals picking up the torch and trying to create a more equitable LGBTQ+ community.

Tell me about your involvement in the local drag community and with Flower City Queens.

Flower City Queens is a celebration of the art and herstory of drag in Rochester. It’s all about showcasing the local talent here, not just the big stars who are known across the world. It’s fun to show off how they put their face together or design a gown. Next year, we’ll be celebrating 50 years of Miss Gay Rochester!

How can people help support Black and Brown members of the LGBTQ+ community right now?

Be an ally. Be a supporter. Be an advocate! And continue walking and committing yourselves to supporting and uplifting Black and Brown queer people.