Life Update: I think I may have created the first ever trans character for the Disney Channel! 🥰😈😜 I grew up in Christian County, Kentucky, a rural community that wasn’t the most hospitable to me as an Asian and closeted queer kid. Like many kids across America, I loved coming home from school and turning on the Disney Channel, a wonderful escape from the challenging environment that I was living in. Growing up as a young queer person, I never got to see my own experiences and identity reflected back to me on the TV screen. This unfortunately provided a very clear message: This world isn’t for you. I cannot fully articulate what it means to me personally that now a young queer person in rural America can pop on the Disney Channel and witness a funny, nuanced trans character that they can relate to. And I pray in my heart that they hear the very clear message: You belong in this world and are included. Thank you to Jed Elinoff and Scott Thomas for being all in. Early on in the room they looked at us staff writers and said if there are any queer characters you have in mind we are here for it and we support you. Thank you to the incredible Juliana Joel who brought Nikki to life. I love you sis. Thank you to the talented and hardworking Raven’s Home cast and crew for making this episode a reality. And thank you to the trans women in my life who lift me up and keep me going. This is for you.