This is a collage work of art. The base is a shiny, golden background of slightly crumpled looking paper. On top is a collage of flowers and green growing plants. From these plants emerge the figures of three Black women. One is in black and white and is wearing a white, fluffy cotillion gown, another has braided hair and is looking away and is in color, a third is smaller, and is glancing downward contemplatively. Written in the background are the words:

Art by Demetria

af+

By Fighting Gender Expectations, My Mother Made Room for Me to Be Myself

—

Feb 23, 2022

COMMENT (5)

COMMENT (5)

af+ personal essay gender identity

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Amari Gaiter

Amari is a writer, educator, creator and a lover of music based in New York. Grounded in compassion and love for people, they love utilizing their various strengths—particularly their abilities to write, educate, organize, facilitate, and create—to help change our world for the better. On a given day, you can find them watching television, giving opinions on music and media, reading theory, ranting about astrology, singing loudly, and working to uplift communities. You can find more of their work at: https://linktr.ee/amarigaiter

Amari Gaiter has written 15 articles for us.

movie reviews

“You Can Live Forever” Shows Sapphic Love in A Religious World

Amari Gaiter — May 5, 2023

music

The Sounds of Gen-Z: Five Queer R&B Artists That Blend Sultry with Sweet

Amari Gaiter — Apr 28, 2023

celebrities (vapid fluff)

No Filter: Another Day To Wake Up and Wonder Why Keke Palmer Isn’t Running the World

pop culture fix

Pop Culture Fix: Sandra Oh and Jodie Comer Love Villaneve's Dancing and Kissing as Much as You Do

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