Growing up I watched Star Trek original series with my dad. My dad, my hero, and I have a love of sci-fi. Trek especially so. Being a genXer, it was not cool to be a geek or into sci-fi back then. In the 80’s most sci-fi and future stories were dark dystopian views where humanity succumbs to the base dark, selfish, greedy side of humanity. Then Roddenberry rebooted Star Trek with TNG. A few months before TNG debuted, I attended a Star Trek convention where I met the beautiful Marina Sirtis.

TNG was a shining light as Roddenberry envisioned a positive bright future where humanity evolved past the racism, greed, superstition in favor of intellect, compassion and inclusion with humility and with the knowledge that holding onto the positive side of humanity takes constant vigilance.

I was not fully aware then that i was created as an lgbtq two-spirited man. My love and embracing of trek only amplified as the TNG and trek universe embraces me just as I am created.
TNG set a new positive tone of a better humanity, flawed and humble, capable of growth and leading by example for a world, universe, of collaboration, inclusion and respect for all, no matter how different from one another.