Strength in Pride Event

The free event at the Miners Foundry in Nevada City was packed on Thursday night March 23, 2023, with standing room only. In what appeared to be a significant majority of adults in the 40-plus age range, there were comparatively few teens. The event was catered by The Sweet Spot with a variety of finger foods and drinks and featured information tables including Community Beyond Violence, NC Citizens for Choice, Bright Futures for Youth (NEO/Friendship Club), Nevada County Pride, and Color Me Human. 

The event, Strength in Pride, was advertised as an "opportunity for a panel of local students to educate the community of Nevada County, and beyond, about the struggles and experiences of LGBTQ+ youth." The stated goal of the student panel was to "uplift and encourage LGBTQ+ youth to share their voices and cultivate resilience by being proud of their identity.”

The evening was the culmination of a senior project by a Ghidotti High School student. His project mentor and assistant moderator was Daniela Fernandez, vice mayor of Nevada City, queer activist, and self-described lesbian (please note, according to the evening's panel, the word queer is no longer a slur or pejorative, but instead, it is the preferred umbrella term that includes all divergent sexual orientations).  Fernandez stated she interacted with the Ghidotti student in two summer programs and is also a principal in the Catalyst Theatre for Change. 

The evening's five-member panel included three teens in various stages of female to male transition, one student as non-binary, and the Ghidotti student who described himself as gay/pan sexual. Four students attend Ghidotti High School and one student attends Colfax High. Four of the five students preferred self-given names rather than their birth names. Two stated they preferred male pronouns, and two preferred genderless they/them pronouns, while the Ghidotti student prefers he/him pronouns.

Most panelists stated they "came out" first to friends, then teachers/counselors, and lastly to family at home. One student chronicled the name change process as emailing teachers asking them to acknowledge the desired change including pronouns and much later going to a counselor to make a record change. The student’s family only learned of the name change when the parents received a report card with the new name. Another student queried the audience, "Are any of my mother's co-workers here?" 

One student related attending Nevada City School of the Arts Charter Elementary School, and described the school as "queer friendly,” which was roundly applauded. The young student had not considered gender possibilities, but when put on the spot by other NCSA students, decided to declare non-binary as it seemed to take the least commitment. Even today, the now high school sophomore is still using the non-binary label and they/them pronouns as preferred gender descriptors. 

Another student, presenting as a female to male transexual, stated their gender identity crisis began at age 10 when the family moved "from the country into the city.” Detailing the process which included years of hand me down clothes from an older brother and growing up without gender distinctions, the student described now successfully passing as a male. He stated his mother was supportive in the process, and his father was the last to openly acknowledge the chosen gender identity.

While we often hear reports of adults grooming children, this event did not seem to be the case for these panelists. When Fernandez asked the students who was the first LBGTQ+ adult they encountered, these youths stated the first significant adult was the Ghidotti student, while two said recently it was Fernandez herself. The “coming out” process entailed "gender declarations'' and pronoun choices being made with friends and then allies, youth, and adults, coming forward to acknowledge, reinforce, and celebrate the chosen self-descriptor. At one point Fernandez asked for a show of hands of those attendees who would commit to being such an ally. A majority of those in attendance signaled their willingness to support the gender choices of “coming out” youth.

It was noted in the program and by the panel that Nevada County has avenues of established LGBTQ+ support groups including Nevada County Pride and high school based clubs like Gender Sexuality Alliance (GSA).