At John Jay College, we actively aim to create an environment that promotes inclusivity, celebrates differences, and fosters fairness and equality for all. In honor of Pride Month, we’re applauding the strength, talent, and unity of John Jay’s LGBTQ+ community by featuring some of its proudest members.

When Mikayla Ferraris ’22, a Criminal Justice major from Brooklyn, New York, began interacting with their peers in Spectra last year, they had a powerful realization. “It was the first time in my life I fully accepted that I was nonbinary,” says Ferraris, discussing the College’s welcoming and inclusive LGBTQ+ and allies student club. “While I accepted my sexuality early on, I really struggled with my gender identity. With Spectra, I started to learn more about the LGBTQ+ community and the diverse identities within it. I started to explore the vastness of what the ‘plus’ in LGBTQ+ means. I started to see other gender-fluid, nonbinary, and ace individuals, who were fully embraced by Spectra. The experience has been educational and so moving for me. I feel validated and loved.” We sat down with Ferraris to learn more about their experience with Spectra and how they’re helping educate others on the diverse LGBTQ+ community and LGBTQ+ terminology—especially terms on the ace spectrum like aromantic and demisexual—during Pride Month.   

What does Pride mean to you?
Pride means embracing who you are and knowing you are seen and that you matter. I am a nonbinary, demisexual, and panromantic individual. Knowing that there are others like me and that I’m accepted by John Jay’s Spectra community is really empowering. This is who I am and I’m proud to be me.

I also see Pride as a time to help educate others. Some people don’t know or don’t understand what the different LGBTQ+ terms mean and I’m always happy to break things down if they truly want to learn and are respectful.

You mentioned Pride being a time to educate people, for those who may not be familiar with terms like demisexual, panromantic, and nonbinary, can you unpack what these terms mean?
The “plus” in LGBTQ+ encompasses a variety of identities, including intersex, asexual, and pansexual. Asexual is among the most well-known terms. It’s part of the sexual spectrum and means you feel no sexual attraction whatsoever to anyone. Demisexual is part of the sexual spectrum as well, and it means you don’t really feel a sexual attraction to someone unless you have a deep emotional bond with them.

Panromantic means you can be romantically attracted to someone regardless of their gender. You’re in love with the person for who they are, their gender is not a factor. And nonbinary means you don’t identify as male or female, you’re just you. Part of what Pride is about is being your true self and celebrating the fact that you don’t have to fit into a neat little box.

How are you celebrating Pride?
My friends and I have been hosting virtual pride gatherings amongst ourselves. We’ll do Pride makeup looks or we’ll watch an LGBTQ+ movie together via Zoom or Facetime. For some of us, home isn’t a place where you can be your true self, so these virtual Pride gatherings offer a way to celebrate Pride while we’re at home.

Why do you think it’s important for our country to acknowledge and celebrate Pride?
It’s important to celebrate Pride and acknowledge the LGBTQ+ community because the concept of gender fluidity and same sex relationships is not new. I think this country has a very Eurocentric idealization of what gender identity and sexuality should look like. But if you look at human history, the concepts of same sex relationships and gender fluidity have existed before. In ancient Greece, lesbian and gay relationships existed and were written about. In native American culture, before Europeans invaded, there was a concept known as “two-spirit” where a person could embody both a masculine and feminine spirit. And, in Norse mythology, you have Loki, who is gender fluid and even gives birth. Even in nature there are animals who change their genders. So, this is not a new concept or way of being. Polyamorous individuals, people falling in love regardless of someone’s gender, it’s not abnormal or an anomaly. The LGBTQ+ community has been around since the beginning of time.

What are your hopes for the future of the LGBTQ+ community?
I’d love to get rid of all the phobias that exist both within the LGBTQ+ community and outside of it, globally. Specific to the LGBTQ+ community, it would be getting rid of the phobia against bisexuals and the notion that bisexuals are perpetual cheaters who are never satisfied. Outside of the community, on a global scale, I would love to eradicate the stigma around aromantic, asexual, and trans people. And, I hope that we can do away with this notion that the LGBTQ+ community is wrong and immoral. Ultimately, I want more acceptance and love for the LGBTQ+ community. I’d love to see an increase in representation and the normalization of LGBTQ+ relationships.

What are some of the things you hope to do that can help the LGBTQ+ community at John Jay?
One thing I’d love to do is help Spectra gain more recognition. They’ve already done such amazing work at the College, and I know they’ll continue to do amazing things for our community—they helped create the LGBTQ+ Resource Center at the College. Spectra is creating programming to celebrate identity and more importantly they’ve created a safe space for LGBTQ+ students to be who they are. The work they’re doing is life changing.

Is there anything you’d like to say to John Jay’s LGBTQ+ community?
I want to say with all my heart, “Happy Pride.” Don’t let anyone stop your journey. You are valid. You are heard. You are beautiful and you are loved. And, I know you will find a place where you will be accepted, especially in John Jay’s Spectra community.