Grateful day, everyone!

If you had told me seven years ago that I’d be facilitating workshops at a national queer festival, I probably would’ve laughed — but here we are.

It’s been a while since I’ve shared a full life update, and a lot has been unfolding behind the scenes.

Y’all already know what happened on NYE 2018. Since then, my journey has been one of rebuilding, healing, advocacy, and learning how to live fully in a body and world that often weren’t designed with disability in mind. Along the way, I’ve had the privilege of connecting with incredible communities and discovering a deeper sense of purpose — slowly but surely rolling out of my comfort zone a few feet at a time.

One meaningful shift in my life has been returning to school. Something Old Lesh would have never imagined! I’m currently a Junior pursuing a double major in Disability Studies and Anthropology, two areas of study that closely align with my lived experiences and intersecting identities. As a Black, queer, disabled woman, I’ve come to understand that my presence, my voice, and my joy in the world are not neutral — they challenge assumptions and systems that were never designed with people like me in mind.

Through this work, I’m learning to pair lived experience with academic language and systems analysis, deepening my ability to advocate, facilitate, and contribute to conversations about access, justice, and community. Somewhere along the way, I realized that simply existing out loud in my body and identities is, in many ways, a political act.

Recently, I received an opportunity that feels both exciting and right on time: I’ve been invited to facilitate two workshops at the Know Other Festival in Joshua Tree, California, this April — a national wellness festival created by and for queer women, trans, nonbinary, and gender-expansive people.

I’ll be leading sessions focused on Disability Justice, access, nervous system awareness, and embodied joy, helping create space for conversations about how we navigate our bodies, systems, and communities with honesty, resilience, and care (and none of that medical-model nonsense).

This invitation also comes during a season of personal growth and transition. I’m continuing to deepen my education while stepping (mmhmm, you read that correctly, lol) more fully into the work that God has been calling me toward. I’m also preparing to marry the love of my life (my lovingly named fiancegaaaaay).

In many ways, this moment feels like both a celebration and a responsibility.

To attend the festival and facilitate these workshops, I’ll be traveling with K and YoYo by car in our 5th wheel trailer so I can maintain the accessibility and medical support needed for longer trips. While the festival itself is volunteer-led and deeply community-driven, the travel and accessibility logistics come with real costs. Unfortunately, accessibility is still too often treated as a costly privilege rather than a basic right.

That said, I’m raising $3,500 to help support:

• Travel to and from Joshua Tree

• Accessibility equipment, including a power-assist device to help navigate terrain (Firefly or similar), a LapStacker attachment, and a new battery for our mobility scooter

• A lift to support safe transfers when accessible seating or surfaces aren’t available

• Repairs and preparation for our travel trailer

• Festival meal plan for both of us

• Basic travel necessities and preparation

• And a little Aries season magic ✨

Any additional funds will help offset accessibility needs and allow me to fully focus on preparing and delivering these workshops with care — and a little Rainbow Wheelie flair.

And there’s one more meaningful detail:

The first day of the festival is April 16th — my 36th birthday.

So in a way, this trip feels like stepping into a new year of life doing exactly the kind of work I feel called to do, exactly the way I want to do it.

If you’ve supported me, encouraged me, laughed with me, advocated alongside me, or simply believe in creating a world where disabled, queer, and marginalized voices are seen and heard, I would be deeply grateful for your support.

Every contribution — big or small — helps make this opportunity possible. A like, share, recommendation, or even a donation of lightly used things also counts.

Thank you for being part of my journey as I continue growing, learning, and showing up in spaces where access, justice, and joy matter.

With gratitude and love,

Lesh ♿

Check out their website:

Website

Social Media:

Instagram: @knowotherfestival

Facebook: @knowotherfestival

Purchase tickets:

Tickets

About Know Other Festival

Know Other Festival is a queer camping and wellness experience created for LGBTQ+ women, trans, nonbinary, and gender expansive identities.

Over four days and three nights, attendees gather in nature to connect, celebrate, and explore identity, wellbeing, and self expression within a supportive queer community.

The experience blends elements of a retreat and a festival. Throughout the weekend, attendees participate in workshops, performances, ceremonies, and community gatherings designed to cultivate healing, connection, joy, and personal growth.

Know Other Festival prioritizes community care, inclusivity, and creating a space where people can show up fully as themselves.