As pride month comes to a close I think about these three trailblazers I had the pleasure of interviewing last year for @Vmagazine & @vman x @calvinklein PRIDE cover series. I think most about the words they shared with me, the conviction in their sentiments, and their pursuit to live life authentically and unapologetically to create space for fellow queer folk in their respective fields. Happy Pride 🌈 “The journey to self acceptance as a [member] of the LGBTQIA+ community has been one of gradual triumph and lots of growth. Advice I’d [offer] to someone that’s struggling with self acceptance is to be kinder to yourself, because you deserve it.” —@aaron___philip “Pride, [to me], means standing your ground and standing in your truth but first you have to identify what that truth is, [because] the work honestly starts from the inside.” —@raisaflowers “I am constantly learning more about myself while navigating multiple intersections in my queerness as a black person. It is an everyday journey, it’s hard but also so beautiful.” —@the_yvesdropper Read the full cover interviews on vmagazine.com + vman.com __ @Vmagazine & @Vman x @Calvinklein (Pride 2021) Photography: @rowanpapier Fashion: @aryehlappin Interview: @overlyopinionatedblackperson Makeup: @ttmakarova + @raisaflowers Hair: @gonn24 (@thewallgroup) Manicure: @thenailmom Production: @badgalprods / @meeeeems_ / @hnlepage Set Design: @_sarahfavreau All clothing @calvinklein