Parker Mickel Interview, February 3, 2025

Parker Mickel (they/them) describes their gender identity as nonbinary and sexual orientation as queer/demisexual. As a military brat, their childhood involved living in multiple places and moving frequently. They describe opening their eyes to politics and how queer communities are established and how they evolve. Parker recalls the day that Germany legalized same sex marriage and the feelings of joy that came with. They describe that after graduation they plan to move to the Bay area of California and work towards a Master’s in education through an AmeriCorps program called Teach for America. They chose California because they see it as more progressive, queer-friendly, and diverse. Their decision to leave stems from finding a lack of joy in Montana, especially given the political system, and the need for a positive change.