Changing the World One Person, One Word At a Time by Lorelei

Changing the World One Person, One Word At a Time by Lorelei - April 2023 Scholarship Essay

If I had unlimited time and money, there are two things I would do in order to create a positive impact on the world. The first is I would write novels. Tons, and tons of novels. these novels would include different races, genders, sexualities, religions, different everything. This incorporates what I’ve learned in school in about one million and two ways. First, I have to be able to write with good grammar, write convincingly, and write interestingly. I’ve learned that the way to do that is through literary devices I was taught in my Advanced Placement English Language and Composition class. Secondly, I’ll need to have a solid knowledge of history for writing historical fiction, I’ve learned history every year since I was little, most recently in my US History class. The real question is, how does this create a positive impact on the world? The answer is that it provides more diversity in the media world. Seeing yourself represented in a world that focuses on the cis, white, heterosexual perspective. It makes you feel loved, and it makes you feel seen. I would know.
The second part of my plan would be to open an LGBTQ Cafe. I saw this mentioned in a Pinterest post once and I haven’t been able to get it out of my head since. The idea is based loosely on gay bars. Gay bars open the opportunity for queer people to meet other queer people. However, the Cafe would focus on forming friendships and support systems rather than romantic relations.
The Cafe would feature artwork by queer artists. The music played would be either created by queer artists, artists who support the queer community, or artists popularized by the queer community. A bookshelf would be tucked in one corner with a reading nook. Bean bags and comfy chairs would sit on a rugged area for people to come in and read, write, work on homework, or just hang out. The shelf would hold queer books and books by queer authors, and be open to all.
Additionally, I will have trained therapists on staff. A large amount of the LGBTQ community battles mental health issues. And, often, these people can’t afford to see a therapist or, for the teenagers, their parents don’t agree with therapy. Or, maybe, the teen just doesn’t feel comfortable asking their parents. I was that kid. And I would have killed to get help sooner.
The Cafe would be a safe place targeted to queer teens and young adults, but open for all, to gather and meet new friends. As someone within this community, I have always longed for a place where I could meet every day, queer teens and mentors. I, personally, have been lucky enough to meet good, queer friends, and don’t get me wrong, I have good straight friends, too, but the queer community experiences life differently, and having friends who understand that is almost magical. You get to meet people who you know, one hundred percent, who will not hate you or unfriend you for who you love. The Cafe would remain a safe space for anyone, at any time. Everyone would be welcome to come in a sit, even without a purchase.
For this, I would use the math I have learned both in early education and higher-level, current, education. The math would allow me to calculate profits from both businesses and decide how much I need to live and how much I can use to put back into both jobs.