Humans of St. Marks — The St. Marker

Seoyeon Kim ‘26

On February 20, 2025, St. Mark’s had the privilege of inviting Gray Colloquium speaker, Desmond Napoles, also known as Desi—a multi-award-winning LGBTQ+ advocate, genderfluid model, designer, performer, and author.

Desi began their public journey at just seven years old, making their professional drag debut in Jinkx Monsoon's music video for "The Bacon Shake." Since then, they have amassed a significant social media presence, with over 137,000 followers on Instagram, and have been featured in The New York Times, NBC News, and Teen Vogue. Desi continues to use their platform to challenge stereotypes and create space for LGBTQ+ youth, proving that you are never too young to change the world.

From walking the runway at New York Fashion Week to founding the first drag house for young performers, Desi has continuously pushed boundaries in fashion, performance, and advocacy. Furthermore, their children’s book, Be Amazing: A History of Pride, empowers young people to embrace their identities.

In an exclusive interview, Desmond, now 17, reflected on their journey, the challenges they’ve faced and their hopes for the future.

Reflecting on their early years in drag, Desmond credited their mother’s love for RuPaul’s Drag Race as their introduction to the art form. “Drag was a way of showing a character, but in reality, that character was who I really was,” they explained. “It helped me express myself and find out who I truly am.”

Their visibility as a young LGBTQ+ advocate has been life-changing for both themselves and for others. “When I started getting messages from kids saying they didn’t feel so alone anymore, that’s when I realized I was making a difference,” they shared.

Despite their impact, Desmond has faced challenges from criticism about their age to legislative pushback. “People tell me I’m too young to be doing this, but I just stay true to who I am. If I disappear into the shadows, I’m giving the people who pass these laws exactly what they want.”

Social media has been both a tool and a disturbance. “Online bullying can be worse than real-life bullying,” Desmond admitted. “But I try to focus on the positives—being able to inspire others and show them that they’re not alone.”

Their book, Be Amazing: A History of Pride, carries that same message. “I wanted LGBTQ+ youth to see it in their library and know that there are others like them.”

Looking ahead, Desmond hopes to pursue law and politics while reigniting their passion for drag. “I definitely think I can be more expressive with my fashion and do more performances.”

Their advice for students at St. Mark’s? “Treat others how you want to be treated. Don’t let others take you down, and don’t take others down for being themselves.”

Seoyeon Kim ‘26

Nasra Ayub started her activism at 15 when she learned that members of her own family members experienced female genital mutilation (FGM). “It was a no-brainer to get involved,” she said. “I had a lot of misdirected energy, and I put it into something I really cared about.”

She initially began her activism journey through Integrate Bristol, an organization that engages young people in raising awareness. At first, public speaking was a challenge. “I froze on stage so many times, but I kept pushing myself.” Her resilience led her to an especially fulfilling moment when she was teaching about FGM in a rural school. “They had never seen a Black person before, let alone engaged with someone outside their community,” she said. “One kid even fainted from shock. But by the next day, they could tell you what different types of FGM were, what the risks were, and why it was wrong. That showed me how impactful peer education is.”

However, activism comes with challenges. “Mental health is the biggest one,” she emphasized. “The personal is always political, and that takes a toll.” She also pointed to rising polarization and funding cuts. “Before, the challenge was getting people to listen. Now, it’s just being able to do the work in the first place.”

Now a journalist, Ayub highlights stories of marginalized communities. “I don’t just want to write about negativity—I want to showcase joy and resilience.”

For young people looking to get involved, she advised: “Volunteer, start a campaign, or reach out to philanthropic organizations. “Many are looking for young people to help design programs and make sure their work actually speaks to youth,” she said. “All it takes is an email. I get messages from 15-, 16-, 17-year-olds all the time saying, ‘Hi, I’m really passionate about this issue. How can I get involved?’ And I always try to connect them with something.”

“I used to go into schools where students had never met anyone from an FGM-affected background. I’d ask them, ‘How many of you want to be doctors? Or police officers?’ And when they’d raise their hands, I’d say, ‘Well, one day, you’ll come across people affected by this. Wouldn’t it be better to understand it now?’ And that’s when something would click.”

Her biggest lesson? “Activism isn’t overnight. Focus on your local community—that’s where real change begins.”