Name: Maria Peters Lake
Location: Portland, OR
How has your understanding of gender evolved over time, and what experiences have influenced that journey?
I have learned—mostly from younger folks—that gender is fluid. It is not, and should not be, viewed strictly as male or female.
In your work or leadership role, how do you create space for people of all identities to feel seen and valued?
In all that I do, I try to be inclusive. I ask questions to ensure that everyone feels safe and comfortable in all spaces. What I think is okay may not be—and I won’t know unless I ask.
What do you wish more people understood about the distinction between gender identity, gender expression, and sexual orientation?
I wish people were more open and willing to learn. Listen to others and receive what they’re saying. Don’t shut your mind just because you don’t understand.
Can you share a time when you challenged traditional societal norms—either your own or someone else’s—and what the outcome was?
As the first woman to hold the title of Rose Empress with the Imperial Sovereign Rose Court, I had to push against the closed minds of some men in the organization. It was the 90s, and back then, women in the organization typically presented more masculine personas as drag kings. There were no female drag queens. It took time for the organization to come around and recognize that I was fully capable of representing them.
How do intersectional identities (like race, class, disability, etc.) shape your experience and how others perceive you?
As a Black woman raised by parents who believed in loving others and helping everyone we could, I’ve always tried to learn about different cultures and share my own culture with others.
What gives you hope or momentum in the current fight for inclusion, especially regarding gender?
What gives me hope is our voice and our presence. You don’t know what you don’t know. We have strong people in our community who stand loud and proud—and they give me the strength to stand up as well.
What advice would you give to young people who are exploring or questioning their identities today?
Stay strong. Be yourself. And when you get knocked down… GET UP. You got this.
Do you ever prioritize one part of your identity over another, and if so, how?
I’ve never really given that much thought. I don’t think I do.
What support would be most valuable for allies to provide in the fight for inclusion and equality?
Stand with us. Speak up. Show your support in every way you can.
How can our community come together as a whole, given how diverse we are?
We need to recognize that this is a battle—and we are stronger together. We cannot sit back and wait for someone else to act. If not us, then who?
