The Moment That Changed Everything
I never set out to be an activist. I wasn’t the kind of person who spoke up loudly or called out injustices. I thought if I kept my head down and focused on living my life, I could avoid the discomfort that comes with speaking out. I felt like speaking out portrayed me as angry, less than, a pain in the butt, for people. And I perceived that as a bad thing. But one night, in a bar, changed everything.
That night, I saw, actually, I felt, how queer women were treated. And for the first time, I felt something shift inside me. This wasn’t just about me anymore. It was about all of us. I could no longer stay silent.
It was supposed to be a fun night out. I was with my partner, happy in our little world, until a man decided that our presence was for his entertainment. He kept asking us to kiss. Over and over again. At first, we tried to brush it off, hoping he’d lose interest. But he didn’t. He became more insistent, more entitled. It wasn’t playful, it wasn’t flattering—it was harassment.
The worst part wasn’t even the request. It was the entitlement. The way he saw our relationship as something that existed for his amusement, benefit, and enjoyment. The way he felt comfortable intruding into our space, demanding we perform for him.
Something inside me snapped.
Realising The Personal Is Political
I had spent so many years trying to ‘just live my life’, avoiding unnecessary attention. I thought that if I was just “nice enough”, “low-key enough”, or “small enough”, I could exist peacefully without having to deal with the ugliness of discrimination.
But that night, I realised that staying quiet wasn’t an option anymore.
This was bigger than me. If I didn’t push back, if I didn’t say something, then I was allowing it to continue—not just for me, but for every queer woman who had ever been made to feel unsafe, disrespected, or reduced to someone else’s fantasy.
Stepping Into Activism
That night was a turning point. I started to notice more—the microaggressions, the subtle discrimination, the ways in which queer people were expected to shrink themselves to make others comfortable.
I decided I wouldn’t shrink anymore.
From then on, I was intentional about using my voice. Whether it was in conversations, in the workplace, or my community, I made a conscious choice to stand up and speak out. I didn’t suddenly become a bold, loud activist overnight, but I did begin to shift. I learned how to challenge ignorance, advocate for myself and others, and create space for difficult conversations.
I realised activism isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about refusing to be silent when you see injustice.
How We Can All Make a Difference
Activism doesn’t have to be about grand gestures. It can be as simple as:
✅ Speaking up when something doesn’t feel right.
✅ Refusing to laugh along with harmful jokes.
✅ Supporting those who are marginalised in ways that matter.
✅ Creating safe spaces for open, inclusive conversations.
If you’ve ever felt that fire inside you but weren’t sure what to do with it, know this: your voice matters. Every small act of resistance contributes to a bigger change.
Using Your Voice Matters
Have you ever had a moment that made you realise you needed to speak up? I’d love to hear your story.
If you want support in stepping into your power and advocating for yourself or your community, let’s connect.
As part of my therapeutic coaching and counselling, I help people realise and step into their power. If you’re ready to explore what self-acceptance, authenticity and self-advocacy look like for you, let’s talk.
Book a free call here or email me at tracy@indigojourney.co (not com)