In this first part of a two-part series, I open up about the layered journey of healing while embracing my identity as a gay Black woman. From the pressure to shrink myself for the comfort of others to the quiet grief of wanting my family to see me fully—I’m saying it all with my chest. This episode is for anyone who’s ever tried to balance self-love with the deep desire for acceptance, especially from the people who raised us. Let’s talk about the silence, the shame, the small wins, and the loud pride.
