Diversity Rules Magazine

5 Diversity Rules Magazine August 2017 JRK: You were certainly not alone with your feel- ings of being lost and frustrated as a child. Can you tell us how you coped with those feelings as a young person and what you did to try to "escape" them DD: Well, when you are in those feelings you most certainly feel alone especially as a child or teen even adults. ere is a line in "Reverse e Beat" - "You can't see out when you are in it." As a young person, I turned to music and art I would escape in words and music I'm a huge believer that music, theater, drawing painting is the ultimate gift you can give yourself get lost in your creative heart, that's what I did JRK: You have stated that "Dance music became an escape from the neighborhood bullies." Can you explain that a bit? DD: Dance music was a bond that I had with my mom we would sing all the time in the car in the house wherever, as far as an escape from bullies I would say all music helped me through those unfortunate people I really became a Music eater geek at one point and I guess I still am. JRK: You have said that your music is an extension of your personality, as "wild and unpredictable." Can you explain how so? DD: Musically I'm constantly evolving ,you never know what will come I do have some signature sounds that are crafted in what I do there will alway be a brightness to my sound. the next few songs will have different vibes I'm not afraid to take risks I welcome them! JRK: "Reverse e Beat" represents your growth as an artist. Can you tell us how you have grown? What's changed? DD: I believe I started to allow myself to push my self. Believe in myself and my art in a way I truly never al- lowed myself, I have let the negative voices we all have within ourselves that squash you go, I sent that shit packing. I'm working in a much more productive way I'm always learning and believing JRK: You have begun to see yourself as an activist. Candy Magazine recently named you as a leader of the Trans revolution. How are you living that activ- ism? How can other trans people, as well as, queer folks generally, become an activist, and in a manner that they are comfortable with? DD: Let's talk about this in depth as far as Candy Magazine i was featured twice the first time on the cover alongside twelve amazing Trans women Laverne Cox a long time friend as well as Janet Mock people that are making great strides it was an empowering day to have twelve trans women in a studio being cel- ebrated and shot by the world renowned photographer Mariano Vivanco that was for the cover the "Role Models, Leaders of the Trans Revolution" then again as "e Pioneers" along side Amanda Lepore ,Honey Dijon,Connie Fleming and some other extraordinary trans people from around the world none of this would have happened without the loving direction of Editor and Creator of Candy Magazine Luis Venegas . I don't think I have recently begun to see myself in that role, I have always been vocal about my feelings if anyone knows me they know I'm far from quiet I speak my mind so if that makes me an activist so be it. I believe anytime I wake up and present myself to the world without apologies is a form of activism I think other trans/queer folk should and most do is very powerful . with Visibility becomes great responsibility I embrace that . not everyone needs to be an activ- ist people have their own comfort levels of visibility I respect that, be your own kind of activist I say do what you can let your feelings and beliefs be known, tell your story there is no right or wrong way to defend and advocate for equal rights for Queer folks you do what you can, get involved in your local community Dina - Con't on page 6

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