Check Out Noël Heatherland’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Noël Heatherland.

Hi Noël , it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
After being born in Warner Robins, GA, my family and I moved to the rural outskirts of the Albany, GA area when I was a toddler. Growing up as a queer and neurodivergent child in a cult environment was challenging. My family rotated between what was known as home churches and fundamentalist Baptist churches, and we were a part of the Institute for Basic Life Principles and its affiliated homeschool program the Advanced Training Institute under the leadership of Bill Gothard. You can learn more about IBLP, ATI, and what my childhood was like by watching Season 1 of the “Shiny Happy People” documentary on Amazon Prime.

Even though being gay or trans was taboo, I eventually was able to get free of all of their indoctrination and brainwashing around age 18. Even then, it took many years to process and deconstruct the trauma I went through. Eventually, I created safety for myself and in my 30s finally felt brave enough with a supportive community behind me to share my authentic truth with my family. Unfortunately, my coming out experience with them was not loving or kind but I still chose to be loving and kind to myself. They told me they never wanted to meet a same sex partner and that I was grieving the Holy Spirit. I had the conversation with them on a Christmas vacation, and they told me I ruined my family’s holiday trip. After that, our relationship was rocky for a while and instead of ever being mended we have now been no contact for over half a decade. Going no contact with them also meant no contact with the rest of the family which has felt like a big loss at times. But as heartbreaking as it is and as unfair as it feels, all my experiences have contributed to who I am today.

Going through such an intense childhood and process into adulthood to understand who I am and then confidently live it has been a big inspiration to get into activism and advocacy work. Thinking back to what it was like as a queer young person without LGBTQ+ knowledge and supportive adults – it served as a catalyst to become the person I needed when I was younger. My level of personally relating to queer youth who find themselves struggling and lacking in support motivates me to fight hard for equity, progress, inclusion and family acceptance.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
In that highly sheltered and controlling environment, I wasn’t able to have my own opinions or beliefs. There were rules about how to dress, what music could be listened to, how long my hair had to be, and TV wasn’t allowed. I often say there was a DEI ban in my own home, but that didn’t stop me from becoming a LGBTQ+ person. I’m still a lesbian and nonbinary even though I didn’t meet and get to know any gay or trans people until adulthood. What being blocked from learning about the LGBTQ+ community and understanding my internal identity did was give me a lifelong need for years of costly therapy and mental and emotional battles to learn to accept myself.

A common outcome for women and those who are AFAB (assigned female at birth) who grew up like I did is to become a victim of domestic violence/intimate partner violence. This was unfortunately the case for me and others of my friends. The cult taught us that if we suffered violence from our husbands that we basically deserved it and that it was simply a cross to bear. Going through domestic violence at the hands of my spouse in 2020/2021 added additional major life trauma that created setbacks that I’ve had to work to overcome.

Due to not growing up with pop culture, a less serious life challenge is I rarely know the answers to any trivia questions so definitely don’t ask me to join your trivia team if you want to win. I sometimes joke that I feel like a version of the unbeatable Kimmy Schmidt.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am a political organizer, activist, advocate, public speaker, and event manager. My official title in my full-time role at Georgia Equality is Statewide Organizing Manager. Georgia Equality is the state of Georgia’s oldest and largest LGBTQ+ advocacy organization. We’ve been around over 30 years. We also work to promote equitable access to healthcare and housing for all Georgians living with HIV/AIDS. In my position with Georgia Equality, I have testified on behalf of LGBTQ+ human rights at the Georgia State Capitol multiple times, attended rallies/protests in Washington DC, and spoken out for the safety and dignity of our community at city halls across the state including speaking for a Safe Haven resolution that was passed in Athens-Clarke County last year. I’ve worked to get out the vote including in the recent Public Service Commission races. I also supported the students at KSU in their work to open an off campus LGBTQ+ student space when KSU closed down their dedicated LGBTQ+ center this past year. I’ve been a part of planning and coordinating volunteers for various rallies and protests including the No Kings events in Atlanta and a National Day of Remembrance for George Floyd.

Although a lot of the work I do has been affiliated with my employment at Georgia Equality, I also serve in various other ways and give back to the community independently from my job. One thing I was proud to be a part of was getting HB 177 passed last year, which helps domestic violence survivors keep their pets safe when leaving their abusers by creating a pathway for pets to be added to Temporary Protective Orders. I also serve on the Board of This Doesn’t Define Me, an Afro-Latina trans youth led and centered organization.

As a child, I found a lot of solace in the outdoors and nature is still a place I find my peace and calm in trying times. I lead hikes and outdoor experiences for the LGBTQ+ community and those who love us through The Venture Out Project because I believe everyone deserves to get to benefit from getting outside and enjoying the sunshine, trees, and fresh air.

I am very clear on my stand for collective liberation. Marsha P. Johnson, one of our trans ancestors, said “there is no pride for some of us without liberation for all of us.” I truly believe none of us are free until we are all free, and my liberation is tied up with yours. We are all connected.

How do you think about happiness?
Since my life has been so hard at times, I feel deeply grateful for the blessings I have in my life these days. I have a beautiful partner who brings me so much joy. We are each other’s best friend, and we both have these quirky and free-spirited personalities so life is really fun and peaceful when we are together. Her family has been so kind and welcoming to me, which means the world.

Our four dogs and cat keep us entertained. One of them is a three legged black and white pitbull mix I adopted from the Atlanta Humane Society. His name is Champion, and he makes me laugh and feel loved every day.

The activism and advocacy work I do brings me a lot of happiness as well. I feel like younger me would be so proud, and I’m so grateful for how far I’ve come.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://GeorgiaEquality.org/staff
• Instagram: https://Instagram.com/noel4collectiveliberation
• Facebook: https://Facebook.com/princessfairyary
• LinkedIn: https://LinkedIn.com/in/noelheatherland

Image Credits
3) Ben Gray

7) Arie James Parker @ariejamesshots

8) Nick Buck @nicholasmichaelbuck