. . . In a most brilliant display of resilience Claudia is standing up as an inspiring role model for anyone, especially young people, struggling with homophobia in their homes or communities. In addition to her acting, some of the things Claudia speaks out about include animal rights, AIDS, and war.

Today in an exclusive interview with QueerToday.com Claudia has revealed that she is a lesbian.

It seems that for every young person we lose due to homophobia there are many more who are standing strong in the face of adversity.

Please leave your support for Claudia in the comments section, and purchase your tickets to the Laramie Project here.

1. Hi Claudia! Could you tell the readers of QueerToday.com what your participation in the Laramie Project has been like?

Being a part of Laramie Project is great because it's such an important piece of theater. A lot of us in the cast and crew have been working together for a while so there's this support we all give to each other.

2. What lesson/s do you think are important for people to come away with after they see the play?

The most obvious message is acceptance, but people also need to understand that Matthew Shepard's murder was not just a one time kind of thing, but it can happen anywhere.

3. What is it like for you as a young woman of color in your community, school, and home?

It doesn't really affect me that much. I mean when I was younger some immature kids would make a comment or two about my eyes or something, but now it's not really a big deal because there are a lot of Asians in my town.

4. What is it like for you to be supportive of gay rights but have an anti-gay activist parent?

It's difficult because we clash horribly. It's really stressful because there's always an argument going on.

5. What has your brother's experience been like?

He went off to college when my mom was starting up with her activist stuff so he hasn't had to live for extended periods of time lately.

6. Do you have any advice for young LGBT people and/or their allies?

Life can be difficult, to the point where you just want to give up on it, but if you find strength in yourself and support in your friends and don't let anything hold you back, things will eventually fall into place.

7. What inspired you to become interested in the rights of oppressed communities, and animal rights, etc.? Who are some leaders (alive or dead) you look up to ?

Well I love animals and have grown up with them so the thought of killing them or torturing them tears me up. It's disgusting. As far as oppressed communities go, I know what it's like to be prevented from being who you are. It's painful and psychologically unhealthy. People shouldn't have to go through that.

8. Do you identify as LGB or T?

I am a lesbian, which my mom still does not get. She just says that I am confused. I realized in around eighth grade, but I was in denial for quite some time because I was scared due to my mother constantly saying that homosexuality is wrong. How can it ever be wrong to love though? That's what I'd like to know.

Posted by Mark D. Snyder on 10/30/2007

COMMENTS:

jayd said...

I support you every way I can. I think what you are doing is extraordinary-I am sure it is very difficult for you
10/30/2007 01:29:00 PM

Ryan Adams said...

Wow, it's good to know that even in the most difficult situations, people are capable of having a good head on their shoulders. Keep up the good work. Hopefully, one day, Amy Contrada will come around and support Claudia - someone who clearly deserves it.
10/30/2007 02:28:00 PM

Ryan Charisma said...

Claudia,

You are a pillar of strength. I don't know if I would have been able to come out under the circumstances you have. Good for you. I wish you the grace and poise you show here to carry onstage with you during your performance.

Good for you!
10/30/2007 02:28:00 PM

Jake said...

Claudia,

You are an extremely brave and resilient young woman. I do hope that one day your mother will be able to realize her mistakes and open her heart fully to you. Keep being who you are, an inspiration.
10/30/2007 03:31:00 PM

Adam said...

Claudia,

You are truly remarkable and as Jake said, incredibly brave. I cannot imagine what it must be like to grow up in a home like that. Good luck in the play (I hope I can make it out there to see it), and just know that you have countless supporters and allies here.
10/30/2007 03:40:00 PM

Kasey H. said...

Thanks for speaking out, Claudia. You should definitely take a look at the Point Foundation if you are thinking about college. It's an organization that provides scholarships and mentoring for LGBT students, especially those that come from unsupportive home situations. The website is: http://www.thepointfoundation.org. Anyways, just know that you definitely have supporters, allies, and folks who understand what family battles about this stuff are like.
10/30/2007 04:08:00 PM

Trevor Wright said...

Claudia,

I think it is great that you are willing to share this with us. You are so brave to come out in such a manner.

I would like to add that with the reputation of your mother there could a lot that might be asked of you, interviews, speaking engagements and what not. Do not feel obligated to do anything you are not ready for. I know what I was like being gay at 17, it could be easy to get overwhelmed with the media storm that could erupt.

You have all our support and encouragement!

Thank you for being so brave, and holding your own!

xoxox
Trevor Wright
PS sorry for calling your mother a D-bag so many times. ?
10/30/2007 04:37:00 PM

eliz said...

thank you so much for talking about all of this, claudia. being out in high school is hard enough without even taking into account how it seems like you are saying things go at home--you are totally fierce and amazing, and i'm so grateful that you are standing up and being strong around all of this.
and also, congratulations on yr role in the play! clearly, in addition to being vocal and brave, you also have some skills!
10/30/2007 04:41:00 PM

eliz said...

and also! YES to what trevor said about being young and queer/lgbt being hard enough--it is not yr job to be a spokesperson and talk to media, etc. if you want to, that is so great, but there are enough other people out there that can do it that you shouldn't ever be forced to feel like you owe it to anyone.
thank you for everything you are doing.
10/30/2007 04:43:00 PM
Chris Mason said...
Thank you for speaking up Claudia. YOU are making a difference. You are amazing!
10/31/2007 07:02:00 AM

John Hosty said...

Claudia,

All it takes is a few brave people to step forward first and show the world there is nothing to fear. You have now taken your place in history as a courageous, strong, caring individual who thought enough to stop and make a difference, even in the presence of outrageous pressure. You should be very proud of what you have done, and the GLBT community is in your debt.

Being yourself will make all the difference in the quality of your years to come. Not only have you learned that, you have inspired it on others with your courage. Thank you!
10/31/2007 11:33:00 AM

wannatakethisoutside said...

Claudia,

Congratulations on taking a stand in a difficult situation.

Our first duty to the community is to take care of ourselves and those that we care about so I hope that you are always able to remember to care for yourself first, and keep yourself healthy and fulfilled.

Next, we work to make the world better for others. I know that your coming out has already done that for others in your school, for people that you care about who are not ready to be as open about who they are as you are, to your family (at least in some way), and now to thousands of people on the internet. You are an inspiration.

Yet, I know that it can be hard to take care of yourself when you are living in tough relationships. I hope that you take care, ask for help when you need it, and know that bad times don't last forever.

Know that there are many of us who are here for you when you need it.
10/31/2007 07:08:00 PM

Paul Jamieson said...

Claudia

Your Mother did a fine job raising you.

Paul Jamieson
10/31/2007 08:59:00 PM

louley said...

Claudia - You are fantastic! I have no idea of how you did it, but you're seriously something brave to come out to your mom. I know you could have waited until school was over, but the fact that you refused to live in the discomfort of lies is something amazing.
11/01/2007 07:31:00 PM

Maxine Dangerous said...

Keep your head up, Claudia! You've got my support and the support of many other fine people. We're very, very proud of you!
11/02/2007 09:00:00 AM

[dave] said...

Hi Claudia, I came this way via Joe.My.God... there's some words of support over there too. Best of luck, I think you're a very brave woman.
11/02/2007 10:15:00 AM