Crystal Rasmussen: A queer journey from shame to self-love

A queer journey from shame to self-love

If you've sanded down your edges to fit in, it's time to bring them back -- there's power, value and beauty there, says Crystal Rasmussen. With candor and humility, Rasmussen shares their experience navigating shame, how it manifests in ourselves and the world and the ways drag revealed a path toward self-love and acceptance. A talk for anyone struggling with becoming exactly who they're meant to be -- and a reminder that it's rarely easy but always worth it.

The path from internalized shame to self-acceptance is rarely straightforward, but reclaiming one’s identity can spark profound change. Growing up with no visible role models, facing daily judgment, and even enduring violence, the journey included moments of isolation and self-hatred. Embracing drag made that hidden self real and adored, blurring the line between shame and celebration. Shame is universal, but confronting it openly creates space for safety, authenticity, and shared humanity.