Reflection on Loving Day by Sedona Cruz

53 years ago today, in the case of Loving vs. Virginia, Chief Justice Earl Warren made it law that “the freedom to marry, or not marry, a person of another race resides with the individual, and cannot be infringed by the State”. In American history, this would be one of the first times it was made law: the ability to love. 

Several years ago, my Hispanic and first-generation college student Father had ventured all the way to the other side of the country, to end up finding the love of his life right where he had started. In a small city in Southern California, my Mother had been living down the street from My Father throughout their entire childhood. And with that, my Dad’s next-door neighbors, being her Grandparents. My Dad as a child even watching their dog or helping paint their house from time to time. I often think about these things and how the world truly works in mysterious ways. Continually being one of the few interracial couples in their community and the chances being so slim that at that time and at that moment in their lives, they would cross paths once again as adults.

Fast Forward about a year and their first child was born. Born to a White Mother and Hispanic Father, I had entered the world as a mixed child. Since then I have often found myself caught between worlds, and lost in translation. Questioning who I am and how my gender identity and cultures collide. As a Non-binary and Trans-Masculine individual, it is a visceral experience living life being treated from one side to the other of the gender spectrum as I transition. The experience of living on both sides of the gender spectrum opens your eyes to the abuse and toxicity that exists in the world we live in. It is this mix of culture and gender that has given me a better understanding of looking at the world with empathy, compassion, and kindness; seeking to not only understand these problems, but create change.