Becca Katz

A Real Grrl is a lesbian “grrl next door” who is doing something unique, interesting, creative, and – most importantly – something that they are proud of and want to share with others. Each week Cherry Grrl features a special reader… next week it could be you! Write to info@cherrygrrl.com to learn how.

Becca Katz

Age: 25

Where do you call home? New York City

Get real with us. I’m an old soul with a passion for all things cinematic. Reading novels and dreaming are my escape, but I work best under pressure and structure. My greatest joys are meeting and collaborating with people who inspire me, producing meaningful video content, and drinking wine with good friends.  I’m a total sap, but have no tolerance for bullshit. I’m your typical Pisces, yet my rising sign is Leo.  My friends describe me as ambitious, silly, passionate, and a great dancer (though I think they’re just being nice). I have a weak spot for brunettes with an artistic flare and fiery when the moment calls for it…

By day, I work for Shine Global, a non-profit film production company dedicated to ending the abuse and exploitation of children worldwide through documentary films that raise awareness and effect political change. I was the Associate Producer on “War Dance Returns,” the short follow-up documentary to Shine’s 2007 Academy Award-nominated film, “War Dance.”

By night, I work on the I Want the World to Know Initiative, a website/video project I created in response to the two young boys–Carl Walker-Hoover and Jaheem Herrera, both 11-years old–who took their own lives as a result of constant bullying and name-calling. Their bullies used the words, “gay” and “fag,” to make both boys feel ostracized, excluded, and humiliated.

The I Want the World to Know Initiative encourages lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning/queer (LGBTQ) individuals from all walks of life to share their coming out stories as a way to defeat homophobia, anti-gay bullying, and teen violence and suicide. I believe that by sharing stories, people relate to one another. It is how we come to understand and sympathize with people who we may not have connected with before. If everyone takes the time to listen, then perhaps we can all begin to acknowledge the beauty in being different.

To check out the I Want the World to Know Initiative, please visit http://IWantTheWorldToKnow.org. Feel free to share your story!

Editor’s note: To learn more about Becca and her I Want the World to Know Initiative check back with Cherry Grrl on Monday, 2/22, for a special feature in our Life and Style section.