Missouri, USA - 2026
For many young people struggling with their gender identity, arriving as a freshman at a small Midwestern university can be a daunting experience. Ray, 20, (he/they) is a young yet focused and hard working transgender man who made it his personal objective to create a safe space that he still doesn’t always have himself. Coming from a more traditional Missouri family and attending Northwest Missouri State University, a rural, agricultural-focused university in Maryville, Mo., he often feels judged and rejected. This leads to a continual struggle over how openly “out” he can be, depending on where he is and who he is with.
Yet, as president of several student clubs and mentor to younger students, he’s focused on connecting students from the LGBTQ+ community, preparing for his goal in life after college life of becoming a diversity advocate. Ray is a maximalist human being; his student apartment is filled with colorful expressions of his passions and interests which is a contrast to the sterile university classes and social spaces. His striking denim vest that he transformed into something deeply personal. It serves as armor against people he feels he needs to keep at an arm’s length. At the same time, it acts as a signal to those looking for connection: a small, visible indication that they have found an accepting space, someone who understands, and a place where they can belong.
