Finding Your People
We asked some of our Mardi Gras 2026 collaborators if they could pass on one piece of advice for people who are trying to navigate their own sexuality and find their people as they figure it out. Here’s what they had to say…
ENOKi:
“You’ve just got to kind of ride that wave. You know, gender and sexuality, everything across the spectrum, it's like water - it’s fluid. It ebbs and flows. It changes. And if you're trying to swim against the tide, you’re going to get caught in a rip.
Take it as it comes, and explore all avenues of what feels right. Also, be around a community that will support you and also makes you feel safe. Surround yourself with the right people and just take it as it comes.”
Joel Creasey:
“It gets better" is so true. If they are not your tribe, if they are not your chosen family, get out of there baby! You could go find like minded people who are going to become your family and love you and appreciate you for all aspects. So, you know, I say find a mate or a mentor that you know that you can trust.
And then, plot your way out of there and go and live your best life and create the life that you want for yourself. Go to Mardi Gras, go to Mardi Gras and see.”
Faustina "Fuzzy" Agolley:
“I know I can only talk from my perspective. One of the key tools I used, not because I knew that I was queer at all, but, I started using practical tools, like Morning Pages, to get things out of my head and onto the page. Which explained to me how you lift so much from your subconscious through the daily practice of writing, and then you're able to see on the page what's really coming to the surface for you. And I think that is really useful. I'm all about giving practical tools. Yeah. Utility lesbian.”
“Once things start coming to the surface, it’s about following those signals. They might not be clear at first, but over time they usually become clearer about who you are, how you show up in the world, and what really resonates with you. And it’s important to be kind to yourself in that process. It can be tough, but you’re allowed to try things on, sit with them, and try again. You can let go of the stuff that no longer serves you. And so happy Mardi Gras to everybody. Cheers to that!”
Jones Jones:
“I mean, first I would just want to say, I see you, and I celebrate you.” “Whoever you are, find your people, you know, like we do really well when we're a pack. And if you can’t find your people, just know that they are there, they're they really are. And they're waiting for you. And just know that you have a very strong faith community that is absolutely behind you and fighting for you.”
Hannah Conda:
“Well, I think right now in the world for young people, I think this is the best time to be a part of the queer community.”
“I think there is so much more acceptance. I think you should find solace in that there are people around in the world that are going to hold you and love you, even if your immediate family may not.”
“I think you should always make sure that you're in a space that is safe, or you have a place to go that is safe. If you're coming out and you're feeling like it could be a little bit daunting. I would just also encourage you to just hold that strength in you and remember that you've got such a power in you that you might underestimate.”
“But it is there. It is real. Oh! And you probably felt, there's a little light inside of you because you have a little bit more of a fight against you in the world. And that light does burn bright, and you just have to harness that energy and know that you are going to make it work.”
