Interviewer: Pooja Jain
Interviewee: Skye Cabrera
Pooja:
Can you please explain your sexual orientation?
Skye:
I am bisexual; however, I also identify as omnisexual.
Pooja:
What is the difference between pan, poly, omni, and bisexual?
Skye:
Pansexual is liking another individual without any preference for their gender.
Bisexual means liking 2 or more genders. Polysexual means liking 3 or more genders and omnisexual means liking every gender. It is ultimately about what a person feels comfortable labeling themselves as.
Pooja:
How was your coming out experience?
Skye:
I came out to my friends in the 7th grade, but I wasn’t aware of the term bisexual and learned about it when a friend came out. It was then I questioned my sexuality and became more comfortable with it.
Pooja:
Straight is often the default in our society, and most people are unaware of their identities. Are you out to society?
Skye:
As I had said, I came out to my mates in class 7th, but to my parents last year. It was a very nerve-wracking experience but I am glad everything went well.
Pooja:
Were you worried about the reaction of the world around you to this news?
Skye:
I have a very supportive friend group and I have been on the internet since a very young age so wasn’t really worried. However, I came from a very conservative Christian family and faced an internal conflict.
Pooja:
Did the way people around you act change after you came out?
Skye:
I am very grateful that people haven’t treated me differently.
Pooja:
The new generation is more progressive than our previous generation.
Skye:
I agree. I think this is due to the internet. We have all been connected and this helps find people with similar ideologies. It helps lessen the guilt of being different.
Pooja:
Have you ever faced a situation where someone tries to nullify your identity?
Skye:
I come from a conservative family and it is common to experience homophobia. I feel that the humor in my country has homophobia ingrained in it and I am not very pleased about this. If you are a feminine girl, attracted to a man, often people comment that you are a lesbian in denial or you are calling yourself bi because you are a straight girl trying to be special.
Pooja:
What could the straight community do to tackle homophobia and transphobia?
Skye:
It is important to patiently educate people about this topic because often people are unaware.
Pooja:
How should straight people react when someone comes out to them?
Skye:
The LGBT community wants to feel accepted and it is important to appreciate when someone opens up to you and thank them for having the courage. It is also important to ask questions so we become more aware of each other.
Pooja:
What does Pride mean to you?
Skye:
It is important to support the community as a whole. This involves supporting small businesses, artists, etc. Pride — it is about amplifying voices and uplifting the community.
