COVER STORY
Pride is solidarity RAMONA WAYLON DIAZ ON BECOMING THE WOMAN SHE DESERVES TO BE. By KM Bramlett
[editor’s note: In the more than half a century since the Stonewall riots in New York City, Pride has become increasingly visible and inclusive. 2SLGBTQIA+ people have spent decades forging a path for subsequent generations to be able to openly live authentic lives. What follows is a profile of one such young woman.]
Ramona Waylon Diaz (she/her) is a 23-year-old educator and musician in the OKC-metro. “I teach choir, elementary music. Primarily voice. I am currently a substitute teacher while I look for a fulltime position,” she said. Growing up in California, Arizona, Kansas, and Oklahoma, she earned a music education degree from the University of Central Oklahoma. While in college, Diaz explored her gender identity, but ultimately found joy and comfort in living and presenting as a woman. “I had been using a nonbinary presentation and neutral ‘they’ pronouns for around a year or so in close circles. I realized then that my body, as it was, I could not grow old in it. I realized the affirmation of hormone therapy was a lifeline for me. My decision to start HRT in July of 2021 was life-changing and lifesaving. Thanks to the kind people at Planned Parenthood and equitable informed consent policies, I was able to swiftly get the treatment I needed. I was prescribed estrogen and realized — I am a girl!” she said. Diaz got inspiration for her new name, Ramona, from a favorite literary character. “My name is Ramona Waylon. Ramona, like Ramona Quimby. Her stories are important to me. I like her fiery, curious, kind spirit. I admire her courage, humility, and all too relatable rashness. Waylon is my middle name. When I didn’t know what I wanted to change my first name to, I went by Waylon. I still use Waylon sometimes. We use both,” she said. Diaz’s parents struggled with addiction and while her family remained tightly-knit, she struggled quietly on her own. “Home life was hard, and got harder. My parents fought more. Their struggles with addiction got worse. I was beginning to grow up in a body that I grew ever more disillusioned from. I watched myself change, repressing and refusing to confront the sad and scared feelings that something was wrong with my body. I had developed a sense that something was different 8
about the way I see my body versus how other Ramona Waylon Diaz. Photo provided. people perceive themselves,” she said. reality for trans people in much of our School was one of Diaz’s favorite home state … Besides the obviously places to be as a child, and she found terrible truth that we live under rule her career path after participating in of actual fascists who are passing disband and choir. criminatory laws harming our trans “School was everything. I loved Oklahomans … I love it. I love it because learning. I loved the structured, safe I get to be the teacher for these kids environment. I loved the teachers, that I wish I could have had,” she said. especially the kind ones. I loved my She has big dreams and aspirations friends and the community. I loved for helping make Oklahoma a better going to school with my siblings … I place for trans people. had found my way of connecting to “There is an implicit understanding others: through community in music. of rapport between queer folks in I had found my calling, and I decided Oklahoma. We are an oppressed comto pursue a college degree in music munity. The honor of being a person education,” Diaz said. who brings strength to our commuIt was in college that Diaz found a nity is immense and not lost on me,” supportive space to be herself, but her she said. transition has not been easy. Diaz knows she can’t win the fight “When I knew, I knew … The alone, and she wants supportive comhardest part was facing my own denial. munity members to know that they I had to learn to love myself, to embrace have the ability to affect change. myself entirely. People talk about a “Fortunately, I think we have more ‘rock bottom.’ I suppose I had just power than we realize. Individual acreached the end of the argument with countability to organize does so much. myself and had to accept it was true. Normal, everyday people who give of The opportunity to explore labels and themselves to help the community. We my presentation was very helpful for need to find other people like us, who me. The relationships in my life that are upset, hurt, taken advantage of, supported this — romantic, friends, whatever. Talk to them and learn. You my siblings, supportive people in my as an individual are capable of initiatcommunity ... These people gave me ing change far greater than the scope the support I needed to have the conof your vision. But we need help. versation with myself,” she said. Together, we can do this. Need someThough Oklahoma is not a welcomwhere to start? Volunteer. Support the ing place for trans and gender-diverse campaigns of local trans-positive legpeople, Diaz has been fortunate to find islators. Help regular people help herself in supportive environments as regular people. The momentum we an educator. build together can topple any terror.” “I am immensely grateful to have Diaz spends a lot of her time conbeen placed at school sites with suptributing to the queer community in portive students, faculty, and staff. My any way she can. time as a student teacher was very “I am always looking for new ways important to me professionally and to get involved in Oklahoma City. Right personally. Schools are supposed to be now, I spend most of my free time safe. My schools were. I was respected serving in local mutual aid organizabecause it is what we do, we respect tions, working front desk shifts or each other. I am sad that this is not a helping plan and work at mutual aid
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events. I am mostly still learning at this point. I want to help other people build networks of safety and affirmation by and for their communities. I do serve on a nonprofit board that works to support LGBTQ youth who have been harmed or cast out of their communities of faith. Oklahoma is a land with many spiritual people and isolation from our communities of faith is a terrible weapon used on trans Oklahomans far too often,” she said. When she’s not teaching or advocating, Diaz is dancing, drawing, painting, writing music and poetry, and exercising. “I have to mention, I am a gamer. I love all kinds of video games … I am very passionate about the ways music and video games create a unique storytelling experience together,” she said. What does Pride mean for Diaz? “I celebrate Pride Month by being the woman I know I deserve to be. Being myself, because I know I am not alone. Pride is solidarity. In solidarity, there is unfathomable strength. We need Pride because Pride brings us the unity and strength necessary for Justice and change,” she said. She is savoring every moment, both good and difficult, through her transition. “I am happier than I was before. I have a long way to go, in regards to whatever personal journey I am on. I think that’s a good place to be at 23. My transition has been an important step in realizing my potential as a young person. I am thankful for the perspective it has given me and the courage it has demanded from me. I am not afraid to fight for myself now and I am thankful for that valuable trait,” she said. “It is good to feel at home in my body.”
