“It’s important to remember that there are more of our stories out there hidden deep down, and slowly, we are uncovering them,” Aubree Calvin tells GO. “For so long, we’ve been denied knowing our full LGBTQ history, and so many of us are working to bring those stories to light.” Calvin brings those stories to light with the podcast “Southern Queeries,” which shares “stories that celebrate our accomplishments and contributions to society,” she says. Calvin, a proud LGBTQ+ southerner who lives in Texas with her wife and daughter, is an assistant professor of government at Tarrant County College in Fort Worth and a freelance writer who focuses on race, mental health, LGBTQ+ issues, and the myriad ways those topics intersect. Her work has appeared in The Dallas Voice, Gay Parent, and Nerdist. Being out and open about her identity as a trans woman in a supportive environment has made her a better teacher, she says, because it’s allowed her to be honest about herself. It’s also allowed her to recognize her own mental health needs and to thrive in her writing career. “Coming out gave me the space to get the proper medical help I needed for my ADHD, anxiety, and depression, which has led to my greater focus on my goals,” she says. “Taking care of my mental health now is what allows me to write articles, produce a growing podcast, and channel my ever-present creative energy in a way that I can use to help the LGBTQ community.” —RK
