Valérie Berta

A public school educator and queer youth advocate, I spend most of my days living authentically and openly as a pansexual, polyamorous lover of life. I hold strong beliefs that a life well-lived is one spent in the pursuit of personal growth and challenging outdated, often oppressive, systems and mindsets. Protecting queer youth and speaking out about my identities in an effort to normalize the conversation are my two passions. I am privileged to who work both in the school and in the community with queer youth. I have issues with administrators and public leaders who do not listen to the voices of the members of the communities they are trying to, or appearing to try to, support.  There is a lot of frustration and anger on my part towards public education, and the leadership therein, attempting to walk the fine line between supporting queer youth and appeasing the public masses. In my opinion, there is no compromise with hate, and anyone who thinks and acts upon the belief that queerness should not be discussed openly and honestly all age levels is someone who harbors hate.