Finding Joy in the Everyday: Queer and Trans Youth Speak Out

In a small high school in New Brunswick, four queer and trans students shared their stories. They were not just survivors or victims. They were kids living their lives, finding joy, and challenging what others thought they should be. This is what they taught us. These students took part in art workshops and group talks. They made collages and shared their thoughts. Their work showed that life is not just about big moments of triumph or struggle. It is about the small, everyday things. They pushed back against simple stories of suffering or success. They showed that their lives were more complex and more real. The school and the policies that guide it often decide what life is like for queer and trans students. But these students showed that they are more than what others think they should be. They are not just labels or statistics. They are people with their own ideas, feelings, and experiences. The idea of "queer joy" is important. It is about finding happiness and meaning in everyday life. It is about seeing the good in the small things. This can help schools and teachers understand and support queer and trans students better. It is not about ignoring the hard times. It is about seeing the whole picture. These students taught us that queer and trans youth are not just about crisis or resilience. They are about living, loving, and finding joy in their own way.