Brooke Lynn Hytes shares her journey of self-discovery through ballet and drag, advocating for 2SLGBTQ+ rights and mental health.
Can you share with us your personal journey in discovering and embracing your identity within the 2SLGBTQ+ community?
I grew up in a very religious family so the process was interesting. Haha. Really the intersection of Ballet and Drag are what got me to the place I am at today. Both art forms allowed me to really delve into the person I was going to become and gave me the confidence to live my life authentically.
Did you ever endure mental health struggles while growing up as a member of the community? What advice would you give to those who are struggling to embrace their identity within the 2SLGBTQ community?
Therapy. That is my number one piece of advice. Everyone can use some “me time” to work through our personal journey toward finding themselves. I have always been very vocal about my struggles with mental health and am a huge advocate of always keeping the conversation going with friends, family, and a good licensed therapist.
As prominent figure in the drag community, how do you see the role of drag in promoting empowerment and visibility for the 2SLGBTQ+ community?
Drag is more important than ever before. With the evolution of a show like RuPaul’s Drag Race, a lot more people, like myself, have been given much larger and more influential platforms. The members of our community that came before us fought for the rights and visibility we enjoy now, and we need to continue to fight for what they accomplished.
In what ways do you use your platform to advocate for the rights and well-being of the 2SLGBTQ+ community, both within and outside of the entertainment industry?
I realize that I have a platform and a voice that is heard by a larger audience than most. I love to share important stories of members of my community on my platform and encourage my follower to use their voices, get involved, and most importantly – vote. I also love to work with charities that support my community like the 519, Casey House, and Rainbow Railroad.
