"Seems like everyone's an actor / Or they're an actor's best friend
I wonder what was wrong to begin with
That they should all have to pretend!?
We lose sight of everything / When we have to keep checking our backs
I think we should all smile, come clean and relax
If there's anything I've learned all these years on my own
It's how to find my own way back home."
(Ani De France)

This is so true today! It's as though everyone is wearing a mask to hide his or her true identity because of unnecessary fear. Everyone should be able to live, as he/she wants without fear of prejudices and being viewed as "different."

I am a 21 year-old student attending Northeast Louisiana University. I am currently a senior studying nursing and looking forward to graduation in the fall of '98. I plan to either attend medical school or study naturopathy.

I came out in the summer of 1997. I am from a very religious (Baptist), very small town in the middle of nowhere. I've always hated living there. I was fortunate enough to attend Louisiana School for Math, Science, and the Arts (LSMSA) in Natchitoches, LA, and escape! I loved my two years there. I learned a lot about myself in those two years after being stifled in my hometown. I think that those two years really define my life and I would not trade them for anything. (Lick my legs I'm on fire, lick my legs of desire)

I am the secretary for Unity GLF. I feel very lucky to be a cabinet member for this organization: even though we are rebuilding the organization, I am very proud of all of our members and the efforts and ideas that they are putting forth. I feel a connection with each member of the group. We provide each other with much needed support, just like a big family.

I enjoy music and dancing, hanging out with my friends, etc. I revere Ani De France, her lyrics kick ass!! Also, I enjoy spending time with my family, especially with my sister, Heather, who is a character! One of the few sane things that she tells me is to "Always embrace life! Don't be afraid to express yourself because life is just too short!"

I only wish that I had more time this semester so that I could do more volunteer work for GO CARE here in Monroe, which is here to provide such services as testing, education, counseling, and support to individuals infected with HIV/AIDS and to persons in his/her family. Finally, I plan to do more community work during this summer in the Monroe area and work on trying to expand our Unity group.

"You have to stop looking for stability in the world and yourself, because there is none and there shouldn't be!"
(Fiona Apple)