There’s a saying that to be successful, you should find what you love and make it your career. This week’s Portrait is a prime example.

Francisco Cortes originally thought he’d become a teacher but an internship at Galaei, an LGBTQ Latinx social-justice organization, changed his path.

Last year, for the first time in ages, I was off on a Saturday in June, which meant I could finally attend my first Philly Dyke March in years. Huzzah! Huzzah! I gathered a few buds: Amelia Carter, Winona Wyatt and Ashley Phillips, and off we went. We met our sisters — dykes of all races, sizes, ages, abilities, socioeconomic status, gender presentations and sexualities —  and took to the streets. We marched through the Gayborhood, around City Hall, down Broad Street and then back to Kahn Park. But I digress.

Get your flags ironed and your beads polished, as Pride month is almost upon us. This year, Philly Pride is celebrating its 30th anniversary at Penn’s Landing.

More than 100 groups are participating, with Margaret Cho headlining the event. The calendar is packed, with awards, music, dance, vendors, food and much more.

One of the team helping put it all together behind the scenes is Nick Greiner, a Philly Pride board member and activist. 

“There she is, Miss America

There she is, your ideal

The dream of a million girls who are more than pretty can come true in Atlantic City.

For she may turn out to be the Queen of femininity.”

This week’s Portrait is Anesha Robinson, the reigning Miss Southeastern, PA who was crowned this past March. Robinson will soon be competing for the coveted title of Miss Pennsylvania. Robinson started off her competition life in pants and a jacket and has continued to defy the odds and convention ever since. We made an appointment for a FaceTime chat, and I was surprised to see her in full pageant regalia, tiara and all.