Time for another Pride Month spotlight! We caught up with some of our fave #YOUinrue stylistas to talk about pride, role models and more. These cuties have also created some AMAZING looks with their favorite styles from our Pride 2022 collection. Be sure to follow them on social and show some love!
Itzel Lovato @itzellovato
What is your name and what are your pronouns?
Itzel (she/her).
What does Pride Month mean to you?
Pride Month is an opportunity to showcase love and equal representation for my community and to advocate for those who don’t have the option to speak up for themselves. It’s about spreading love and kindness and acceptance and being proud of who you are and who you love.
What issues facing the LGBTQ community would you like to increase awareness of?
I would like to increase awareness on Trans Rights and gender affirming health care. They have been in the forefront of a lot of negative conversations as of lately and I feel like it’s important to spread awareness and lend my voice on these issues.
Name a role model you admire in the LGBTQ community. How do they inspire you?
JOJO SIWA. She has stayed consistent and true to who she is and never cared what the haters had to say! I am SO glad the younger generation (and the older generation) has her to look up to! 💛
How are you planning to celebrate?
I plan to celebrate Pride by lending my voice and my ears to those in need and highlighting LGBTQ+ stories and concerns on my platform throughout the month and being a great support system to my family, friends, and followers.
If you could speak to your younger self, what would you say?
I would say that “it’s okay to be who you are. The people who truly love you do not have a problem with who you love. Stop depriving yourself of who you really are.”
Jessie Paege @jessiepaege
What is your name and what are your pronouns?
Jessie Paege She/They.
What does Pride Month mean to you?
Pride Month is a celebration of how far we’ve come as a community, as well as a reminder of our past and those that fought for our rights, specifically with the Stonewall Riots.
What issues facing the LGBTQ community would you like to increase awareness of?
The Trans community is losing their rights as we speak. Now’s the time to, especially, lift Trans voices. Also, LGBTQ+ Youth are always the most vulnerable to danger because of their LGBTQ+ identity. There’s so many homeless LGBTQ+ adults and, specifically, children that need housing where they can feel safe and supported. These children can lose their whole family and home because of who they are.
Name a role model you admire in the LGBTQ community. How do they inspire you?
My best friend, “Ellosteph” online, is a huge influence for me. She basically taught me everything, as a young, closeted Queer person that was living in a big city alone. She not only advocates for her own community, but also for other communities within the community. She taught me all about fighting for not only my community within the LGBTQ+ community but the whole community as a whole. We need to lift ALL voices.
How are you planning to celebrate?
I’m going to the Pride Parade, something I haven’t done in years because of the pandemic and I’m posting LGBTQ+ content every single day to my Instagram. I love Pride, I get so euphoric just by seeing other LGBTQ+ experiencing queer joy.
If you could speak to your younger self, what would you say?
When I was young, I had a lot of internalized homophobia, specifically towards LGBTQ+ women. I’d tell myself, I don’t need to put up a mask, specifically a hateful one. There’s nothing “wrong with you” and one day you’ll replace that shame you feel with pride.
Maddie Touma @maddietouma
What is your name and what are your pronouns?
Maddie Touma, She/Her
What does Pride Month mean to you?
To me, Pride Month is a time to embrace and celebrate myself exactly as I am! It’s a time to have fun, express myself, and connect with others in the community.
What issues facing the LGBTQ community would you like to increase awareness of?
Bringing awareness to issues faced by LGBTQ youth, specifically in schools and areas that are not accepting. Growing up in Florida, it was difficult for me to express myself and explore relationships. I personally came out at age 24, I wish I had the confidence and support in my youth to feel comfortable exactly as I am. Now, I worry for young people still in Florida and other states that do not practice acceptance, I never want young people to hide who they are just to keep homophobic people comfortable. It’s important to me to share my authentic self online to inspire others to embrace themselves genuinely as they are!
Name a role model you admire in the LGBTQ community. How do they inspire you?
Bri Martinez is a fashion and body positivity influencer who has shared her experience coming out online, she inspires me in many ways and actually gave me the courage to come out online!
Jojo Siwa shares her authentic self online and has inspired so many young girls and boys to express themselves as they are!
How are you planning to celebrate?
Attending the NYC Pride festival with my friends!
If you could speak to your younger self, what would you say?
I would tell her that it’s okay that she isn’t totally sure about who she is and that so much of her life is waiting for her! Growing up plus size, I really struggled with confidence and body image issues, I had low self-esteem and struggled with negative self-talk. If younger Maddie knew how much confidence she would grow into and that she would achieve her dreams of being a plus-size fashion content creator, I know she would have loved herself so much more! I would tell her to go easy on herself and that she is more powerful than she ever thought possible 🙂
Alysse Dalessandro @readytostare
What is your name and what are your pronouns?
Alysse, she/her.
What does Pride Month mean to you?
Pride Month to me is a time to remember the LGBTQ+ pioneers particularly the trans women of color who fought for the rights that we have today. While we spend the month celebrating the freedoms to be ourselves that we have now, we have to also remember that there is still work to do. Trans youth are still under attack. Black trans women are still being murdered at a disproportionately high rate. We can’t sit in the present without helping to ensure the queers coming after us have more protection than we have.
What issues facing the LGBTQ community would you like to increase awareness of?
2022 is on the path to set a record for the highest number of anti-LGBTQ+ bills introduced in state legislatures. Though the “Don’t Say Gay” bill in Florida received a lot of attention, there are hundreds of these bills currently attacking the rights of LGBTQ+ folks. These bills give businesses and individuals the right to discriminate in the areas of healthcare, the workplace, housing and even the right to play sports.
Name a role model you admire in the LGBTQ community. How do they inspire you?
One of my role models in the LGBTQ+ community is Chase Strangio. He is the Deputy Director for Transgender Justice with the ACLU’s LGBT & HIV Project. Chase fights tirelessly for the rights of trans folks and those living with HIV who are often most marginalized in our community.
How are you planning to celebrate?
I am queer all year, so I celebrate my identity every day of the year. In June, I will be attending four different Pride parades and festivals. I also plan on using this month to donate to organizations that matter to me (as I do all year) and create educational content about LGBTQ+ history, LGBTQ+ owned businesses and more!
If you could speak to your younger self, what would you say?
I would tell my younger self that you are perfect as you are. Your sensitivity and empathy become your superpower. You are different and that isn’t a bad thing. Your differences are what make you shine. Stand proud in your individuality.
Makenna Misuraco @makenna.mis
What is your name and what are your pronouns?
My name is Makenna Misuraco. My pronouns are she/her.
What does Pride Month mean to you?
Pride month is important to me for many different reasons. It focuses on acceptance in our community and in my eyes, it is the month where people within the community, or allies can speak as freely as possible. Pride month is much more than parties and parades. It’s also a historical month when the Stonewall riots occurred, and it is also the month that gay marriage was legalized. Pride month to me is bringing awareness to others about the struggles that the community still continues to face and showing acceptance to every person around you. Whether a person is coming out, struggling to come out, or seeking acceptance, pride month is the month where I hope people remember that everyone’s journey is different but just as valid as anyone else’s.
What issues facing the LGBTQ community would you like to increase awareness of?
There are so many different issues that need to be addressed and for others to learn about. A main issue I actively try to increase awareness in is mental health issues within the community, bullying, and high suicide rates.
Name a role model you admire in the LGBTQ community. How do they inspire you?
A role model I admire in the LGBTQ community is Laverne Cox. Laverne Cox has made huge strides within the LGBTQ community. Not only is she a powerhouse of an actress, but she has also changed the stigma that many people have towards the transgender community. She is very vocal about issues and is never afraid to say what’s on her mind. I believe she holds a great amount of power within the community and is someone that not just myself, but many people idolize.
How are you planning to celebrate?
This pride month I’m celebrating in many different ways. I’ve teamed up with Rue21 and the Trevor project to spread awareness of the struggles that people in the community face. Of course, I’ll attend my local parades, but I’m looking forward to continuing to vocalize and educate as much as I can.
If you could speak to your younger self, what would you say?
Growth is not linear. Self-acceptance can be challenging but is always worth it. Stay true to yourself, I’m so proud of you.
Sending love to you all! Have a safe and fun rest of your Pride month. Be sure to share your Pride 2022 looks on Instagram and TikTok using #YOUinrue and tag @rue21!
