Pride 2020: Miriam + Janae’s Full Interview

Miriam: My name is Miriam, I am a queer artist from Detroit. I am 22, soon to be 23 and I am a Leo. My pronouns are she/her. Lastly, I have a beautiful girlfriend named Janae. 

Janae: Hello, my name is Janae and I am a regular queer automative worker. I am also from Detroit and I am an Aries. Even with my regular 9 to 5, I also like to do Photography. And my partner can openly agree I am an advocate gamer (laughs).

Miriam: To describe our relationship, I would say we are best friends that fell in love. That could be a story for most, however ours feel like a Disney fairytale. Everything feels perfect. We have been together for a year and four months. There are many new yet beautiful layers I have discovered about my partner. We are healthy and we are in love, which is a first for the both of us. 

Janae: Our relationship is always fun. She keeps everyday feeling fresh and brand new, opening me up to new things I have never tried or experienced. Filled with coffee dates and adventurous walks around the city. Learning new things about each other's flaws and imperfections. Our relationship is open and judgement free. We’re like best friends and lovers in a bundle package.

Miriam: My partner is cousins with one of my closest friends, who I worked with. I thought she was cute from seeing many videos of her on my friend’s Snapchat. From there, I made the first move of course. There was a lot of communication through my friend. Working in retail there is so much madness during the holiday season and your mind is all over the place trying to please customers. In the midst of all of this, I finally met my partner face to face. After texts and Facetime calls, I was excited to see her in the flesh. She came to visit during one of my shifts and honestly since that moment, it has been love at first sight. Although I ran from the register as soon as I saw her (laughs), my nerves got the best of me. She was breathtaking. Beautiful skin, curly red hair and a bright, blinding smile. 

Janae: The first word that comes to mind how we first met is “FINE” lol. Like Miriam said in her statement, she is a very close friend of my cousin. Around the time before we met, my cousin and I had been spending a lot of time together. My cousin would always mention Miriam, as well as show me pictures of her. Basically geeking us up to interact, but I was pretty introverted when it came to meeting new people especially after some past experiences I had. So I would shyly send my hellos that my cousin would relay.

I later found out I wasn't the only shy one (laughs). One day with some encouragement from our mutual, we exchanged Snapchats. A few nights passed by before actually said anything and yet I never knew how powerful one word was until I met Miriam. She commented on a late night post I made after work which only consisted of the word “FINE” in bold capital letters. It was so simple yet intriguing. She had made the first move that was more bold than I could have even imagined. I said thank you with a blush emoji and to my avail she went ghost (laughs). Leaving me on read. I love a good chase. We later talked more and finally met in person as she stated it was amazing to say the least because it was so simple.

Miriam: Pride to me is all about self expression and love. Pride is loving and accepting who you are as well as accepting and loving those who are just like you. You own who you are and you’re not afraid to show who or what you believe in.

Janae: Pride to me means to be unapologetic, happy, and carefree being who you are and loving who you love.

Miriam and Janae: Pose on FX. It is funny, it is relatable, it is a real show. The first show to shed positive light on the LGBTQ+ community. Pose is an honest and beautiful piece of work. I’m either laughing at the shade from Praytell or in tears at something one of the children of the haus is going through. I love how it pays homage to Paris Is Burning as well. Thank you, Ryan Murphy.

Miriam and Janae: Definitely anything that deals with our trans people is underrepresented. I believe that many people choose to ignore them. Trans visibility is both misrepresented and underrepresented.

Another topic that is underrepresented in the queer culture is the queer youth and such negative responses they receive. Many people fail to talk about the about the abuse and trauma the queer youth deal with from their family and friends. Mind you these are still KIDS who are still trying to figure themselves out. It’s sick and disheartening that there are adults that are bullying and harming kids. 

Miriam: My partner and I celebrated our first pride last year. It was beautiful seeing a group of people celebrate love and individuality. My heart was full seeing people come from all walks of life come together.

If I could change anything, I wish companies and corporations did not capitalize from it. The issue is that many capitalize from pride month whether it’s them selling a rainbow headband or rainbow print anything and they don’t donate to any queer organizations or charities. It’s actually rude. It doesn’t come off as genuine to me. The reason being is because after June, the queer people are back to being judged or ignored by these same companies and corporations.

Miriam: The love. It’s pure and everyone tries to look out for each other. 

Janae: My favorite thing is the Freedom that the community shows and shares to the world. When we went to our first pride last year, it was so freeing to see a community that was fully accepting of everyone. Not a single care in the world about what anyone has to say.

Miriam: Queer spaces to me are spaces that are safe for queer members can come to and enjoy time to themselves or with others and be comfortable while doing it.

Miriam: I always look for someone who supports everyone in the queer community. No one left out and are willing to respect, stand and protect those who need it. Be a good person with a good heart and pure intentions. Love is the message.

Janae: In a queer ally, I look for a person who will show respect and support equality among all. Supporting even when the crowd isn’t looking. Having a genuine heart for people in the LGBT+ community.