Growing up in Fort Wayne, Indiana, Saloni struggled to reconcile their queer, Black, and Filipino identities, a struggle that was exacerbated by racism and homophobia in their Catholic school system. 

Saloni Dixon, 21, talks about the lack of education around race, gender, and sexuality in their environments and how that affected their upbringing. 

Things you should know:

• In 2019, 40% of Black high school graduates in Indiana earned AP or dual credit, compared to a statewide average of 63%.

• Former students reported racist bullying at both Carmel High School and Westfield Washington Schools in Indiana, among others.

• Some of Indiana’s Catholic schools, such as Roncalli High School and Cathedral High School, have recently been brought into the limelight for firing LGBTQ+ staff.

Funded by Northwestern University’s Office of Undergraduate Research

Hosted, written, recorded, and produced by Lily Shen

Audio edited, cleaned, and mixed by Chloe Koser

Music by Lily Shen and Chloe Koser