Heartstring is a book that you read right before you sleep or when you have woken up. It's a book that lays by your nightstand, a book that you can always go back to . It's a book that will make you feel, act, and see things differently. Heartstring...
In my late 20s, I realized that I was non-binary. I used to hear things like, 'how is that even possible? This is delusional, humans aren't made that way'. Tell me what makes you a man, or what makes you a woman. It's not just what body you are in, but how it reacts, and who makes your heart beat faster. The people screaming and shouting at the LGBTQ community calling us mentally ill, should try to stand in our shoes and see how difficult it is; how confusing it is when your heart reacts differently from what it's 'supposed to'. How many barriers do we have to cross through to just gain acceptance on who we are? To just cross the line that was made centuries ago and that still exists...
Dance found me when I needed it. I have been dancing since I can remember. It helps me let go of myself to express all of my sides. It doesn't have a gender. The music flows through your veins and you get lost in it. It's a beautiful medium where you can fall in love with the genres and feel free. You can be anything you want; you can be whoever you want.
I moved to Vancouver to pursue dancing as a career in 2001. The House of La Douche was born to promote the uniqueness and creativity of the LGBTQ community. Our doors are open for everyone who wants to belong. I brought voguing and waacking to Vancouver because it's a language that helps to communicate, to express what we feel. When I am dancing, I love the trust that I receive from people to take me into a journey of my mind. It brings me happiness when they smile. I feel satisfied when I have helped someone get through the path that I once traveled. The House of La Douche is not just a dance troupe, it's my family. We are each other's support systems. I strive to use dance as a voice for social justice, to give light to the struggles of the LGBTQ community. To unite us all together.
It's rewarding when you give back to the community - when you know you are changing people's views. I am proud of how far I have come. I have had a tough time mastering my mental and emotional well being. I had to prove my worth even when I was pursuing my career. I was bullied then too - but the negativity that previously pulled me back, has helped me push forward. It has now become my strength. I use it as a tool to help me grow.
There is still a long way for us to go. I wish people saw us as the wonderful humans that we are, no different than themselves. I wished they realized that we too feel love, anger, sorrow, happiness. That sexuality is not a choice, it's a part of who we are. I wish the world would be free from the ancient boundaries, and accept us as we are. Someday, every child would be strong enough to tell their parents about how they feel and what they like, and someday, every parent would accept them instead of turning their backs. Someday….. we won't be bullied anymore because someday people will see us as the colours of the rainbow, all unique but each colour necessary to make it beautiful and extraordinary.
- Jojo Zolina
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
Instagram- jojozolinadance
Website- www.jojozolina.com
*********************************** I am falling short for words when I say how much I admire you. It takes a lot of effort and strength to be successful, especially with the odds that life has thrown your way. It's even more inspiring that you are taking efforts for your community to grow. There are still so many people in this world that fail to understand that love doesn't have a gender, that sexuality is the individuals part of being and it shouldn't be forced to change just because it doesn't fit in common norms. We all are different but we all are the same.
Jojo Zolina you have given the world the lovely gift of dance. With unstoppable artistry, you have continued to reinvent your techniques and worked alongside several artists including Madonna, Nelly Furtado, Micheal Buble, and La Roux. You have traveled the world and captured the audience worldwide with your signature styles. The list of your achievements is long and I hope it gets even longer. I hope you continue to break barriers and bring out change. You have earned my respect and I'm sure of the other thousands that have seen you perform.
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
