Jude’s story

Gender: Nonbinary, Transmasculine

Sexuality: Bisexual

Pronouns: they/them

Current home: Washington, D.C.

From: Arizona

Cultural Background/Identity: White

Interests: Art, Videography, Zines, Food Justice, Urban Design

I grew up in a community where people didn’t talk about queerness very much. I didn’t know trans people existed until I started college. I explored sexuality first, coming out as bi when I was 19. Then I started learning more about gender; it was a whole new world, strange and beautiful, and as I read about and watched other queer and trans folks tell their stories, I started to see more and more of myself in them.  Looking back, I now understand that the signs were always there.  I was a “tomboy” as a kid; I dressed in boy’s clothes and there was always something different about me—I just didn’t have the language to describe how I felt. 

I moved to the DC area a few years ago, and I have been so overjoyed and excited to find a large and wonderful queer community here.  Because online stories from other queer and trans people were so important in my journey to find myself, I decided to share my own story through YouTube videos, zines, and social media.  Being trans has allowed me to experience happiness and euphoria unlike anything else! I want to share that trans joy as much as possible. Trans joy is how we dispel the myths and the fear. Trans joy is how we connect and find community. Trans joy is how we resist. We will persevere. We have always existed. We will not be erased.

PHOTOGRAPHER’S NOTE: During spring photo sessions in D.C., several participants, including Jude, mentioned not feeling connected to the memorials behind us, especially in this political moment.  I took mental notes and composed photos where the monuments faded into the background. 

But near the end of our walk, Jude led me to the FDR Memorial, a place I’d somehow overlooked before.  Unlike the gleaming white marble giants that loom over visitors, this space feels human and grounded.  Dark stone, simple waterfalls, greenery and textured sculptures invite you to touch, to read thru Braille, to be part of the story.    It’s a memorial that doesn’t elevate a small slice of manicured history above us; it’s designed to include us in the story as diverse Americans who believe in a common dream. 

Photos taken in April 2025