AC is many things (a singer, a student, a social activist) and AC is in many places (Santa Cruz, Los Angeles, and Spain, to name a few). It’d be an understatement to say she is driven.
AC has a message, and she needs to get it out. It’s what fuels her. In everything she does, she’s saying one thing: “love yourself.”
True Colors Fund: What do you think about when you wake up in the morning?
AC: This depends on the day. When I am attending school at UCSC, I have a lot of obligations and therefore feel compelled to continue on the projects that contribute to social justice. When I am home in Los Angeles, I am compelled to spend time with my family and friends. Currently, I’m in Spain and am compelled to strive in my classes and plan trips. In all three scenarios, I think about the tasks I need to complete – and at times I think about the fear of not getting enough done for the day… not being present enough to be fully engaged in the things I believe in. I think about the energy it takes to take in information every day and about the day to day issues without becoming complacent nor overwhelmed.
True Colors Fund: What’s your biggest dream?
AC: My biggest dream has always been to become a singer – to express myself and (more recently and more specifically) the pain people endure when they are different. I want to send a message that could help outsiders understand, as well as heal those who have endured it. In addition, I dream to live on my own, attend the appropriate graduate school program (M.A./PhD) or law school to ultimately obtain an administrator position for an organization serving LGBT people, the incarcerated, and/or immigrants.
True Colors Fund: What is it like to be you?
AC: It is very interesting to be me. I love myself and others very much. I don’t express it often, but I demonstrate it through the work that I do – both paid and unpaid. I constantly struggle with trying to maintain a balance between loving myself and loving others. I sing to soothe myself and to practice self-care. I find myself overwhelmed with political and social issues. When this happens, my mind wanders off and I dream about going from the part-time singer that I am to becoming a full-time singer. On a daily basis, I have to remind myself how bad gluten and dairy are for my body and health. I am thoughtful about the way I dress because I believe it is an art – a nonverbal expression of what one feels and a response to one’s environment. I also love classical, alternative, hip hop, country, Spanish, and house music!
How do you demonstrate your love for yourself and others each day? Tell us on Facebook and Twitter!
The 40 of the Forty list gives lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning youth who have experiences with homelessness and/or housing instability a chance to speak for themselves. The young people on the list were nominated by homeless youth service providers, social workers, educators, individuals, and other folks across the country. Over the course of forty weeks, we’ll be releasing full length interviews with each young person featured on our list.