WHAT’S BEEN THE MOST CHALLENGING PART OF BEING THE FIRST TRANSGENDER SHERIFF IN ORANGE COUNTY? Controlling myself and controlling my anxiety, just being allowed to be open and be me finally. I mean I had some issues with people who don’t understand or some people who just didn’t agree with it, but the Sheriff’s Office, from HR to the agency head, really stepped up. Despite their own issues with it personally, if they had any, they took care of me. YOU ARE AN ARMY VETERAN. WHEN YOU SEE WHAT IS CURRENTLY GOING ON WITH THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION AND HIS CALL TO BAN TRANS SERVICE MEMBERS, AS SOMEONE WHO WAS THERE BEFORE, WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE THEM AS THEY ARE TRYING TO STAY FOCUSED ON THEIR MISSION? Take it one day at a time and find your allies. That’s the only advice I have. It is so terrible that they were told they could come out and they could live their truth and be who they are, and not have to face repercussions. Now, with a few tweets, they have to live in constant fear of losing their job. That is absolutely egregious and I don’t understand how with so many people up in arms about this that it is still going on. WHO ARE YOUR COMMUNITY ROLE MODELS? Every trans person I interact with in public. The fact that they are able to be out and be who they are is amazing. Every one of them is a role model to me. WHAT DOES THE WORD PRIDE MEAN TO YOU WHEN YOU HEAR IT? It’s not really a word I can describe; it’s more of a feeling. It’s just a feeling that I’m ok. After years of this internal struggle and battling with myself, and having selfhatred and being so close to suicide, pride to me means it’s ok. We’re good now. You don’t have to be afraid, you can be you. WHAT ARE YOU MOST LOOKING FORWARD TO AT COME OUT WITH PRIDE? Being in the parade as the Grand Marshal. I have never been in the parade before. Every single year, I stand at the corner where that Publix is downtown with the same group of friends, drinking some beers, and we have the same routine every year. After the parade we come back to my apartment and I cook for everyone. Now I get to actually be in the parade, I get to be on the other side. NOT JUST IN THE PARADE, YOU ARE A MAIN FOCUS OF THE PARADE. Right, it’s crazy. This has all been so crazy, being out and having people come up to me and say they are happy to meet me. I can’t wait. I am going to be screaming and yelling the entire time. WHAT’S THE MOST INSPIRING THING YOU HAVE NOTICED ABOUT ORLANDO’S LGBT COMMUNITY? When we look across the country, there are so many places that law enforcement is viewed as a problem. We see these different LGBT organizations out there and everyone is getting grouped into these categories. When I see our LGBT community as a whole, whether you are a gay Republican or LGBT law enforcement or no matter how you or anyone else categorizes you, everyone has given me a chance. Everyone I have met has gotten to know me. Everyone I have interacted with has been so open and so accepting, inviting and warm. Orlando’s LGBT community is family. | ���� | Rebecca Storozuck FROM PG.22 26 COME OUT WITH PRIDE 2017
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