Natalie Schoenhals   2025 Simply SEEN Participant

I came out in 2021, though it didn’t really feel like a big moment for me. My journey has been more of a gradual unfolding. It was never a secret from my family. The closest thing I had to a ‘coming out’ was casually texting them to ask if my then-girlfriend could come to family dinner. Honestly, I’ve been incredibly lucky to grow up in an accepting environment. That made it easier for me to live as myself without feeling the need for a declaration. I know that’s not the case for everyone, and I don’t take that privilege for granted. For me, coming out was more about being authentic, not making a statement.

I see myself as queer. Sometimes I’ll say bisexual, sometimes pansexual, sometimes just gay. I find labels to be useful but limiting, so I prefer to let my identity be fluid. I’ve always been me, and the only difference now is that I’m living my truth with a little more confidence and a lot more fun.

Aerial dance is one of the places where that fluidity shows up the most. When I’m on the lyra, I get to play with strength and softness at the same time. The mix of masculine and feminine energy feels so natural to me. There’s power in the muscle but also grace in the lines and the movement. When I'm in the air, it feels like the perfect embodiment of who I am. Being seen means accepting all sides of myself, especially the side that enjoys hanging upside down from a metal hoop for fun.