My Story
My journey began in the Great Lakes State, my birthplace and home. My grandparents immigrated to the United States from Syria and Lebanon, so Arab culture, especially its cuisine, was a large part of my upbringing. I embodied the classic tomboy, preferring sports with boys over dolls and
jump rope. Even before knowing the term, I embraced strong feminist
sensibilities.
From early elementary school, I sensed my uniqueness without
comprehending its origin. Discovering traditional gender norms clarified my
divergence from societal expectations. While there was something to that, I
came to understand, however, that there was more behind my sense of
being different.
During my young adulthood I realized that I was gay. This revelation
exhilarated and transformed me. It dramatically changed my vantage point
and the course of my life. I cultivated a new, cherished community while
gaining fresh insights into the world.
I work as a speaker, writer, attorney, and educator. My professional and
personal choices have been influenced by my lesbian identity. I am fervent
about understanding and enlightening others about LGBTQ+ identity and the
social and legal aspects surrounding it. I channel this passion into writing
and speaking engagements at conferences, businesses, colleges, schools,
government agencies, and professional associations.