Stacy Varkuza Interview, March 4, 2025

Stacy Varkuza identifies as a queer non-binary person. They are from Phoenix, Arizona, but moved to Missoula, Montana, in 2007. Currently they live in Portland, Oregon, with their partner and nonbinary child. Stacy discusses their experiences living in Missoula as an openly queer person and how that impacted them. They recall workplace discrimination, stories of violence, but also a strong sense of queer community. They chose to leave Montana as a way to best protect and raise their child, who dealt with bullying because of their identity, and because of the current political situation in Montana. Stacy described Portland as much more accepting and comfortable, noting the strong queer community they have found.