I was struck by fear when someone exemplified what might be me, and that fear grew even further when I saw how others met that lesbian couple. Growing up, I struggled to find my place, and when we moved in my teens, my feeling of not fitting in grew. Living in such a small place where rumors and gossip flourished, experiencing the judgment of how even adults talked about queer people pushed me into a double life. The larger the distance between my mask of a confident and opinionated youth and the insecurities I was carrying inside grew, the deeper my loneliness became, to the level where I felt I lost myself completely. Combined with losing a close friend, my need for control was born, leaning even more into my facade, where dance became my passion and escape on my recognition-seeking chase to survive. See how being part of a more creative environment in high school expanded the explorative journey of my identity. When I moved to the capital, I was included in the queer community where my world opened up further, and I finally felt safe enough to fully express myself. Learn how this gave me the confidence to merge my different identities into my persona, allowing me to connect with the inner child I had subconsciously protected my whole life to start processing the traumatic experiences I was carrying. One night, I was invited to host a quiz at a queer club, which sparked my passion for creating the same inclusive spaces that had been so important for my journey. This helped me heal my own heart while paying forward that feeling of home, for me and the queer community. This is my story.