As Black people, representation isn’t just something we want—it’s something we strive for daily. From seeing deeper complexions on the runway to strong Black leads in film and television, visibility has long been a pressing issue. But representation goes beyond what we see on our screens. It matters most in real life—especially within LGBTQ+ communities, where true inclusivity is still a work in progress.
“I think I felt the most underrepresented in middle school. I was often the only Black kid in class and didn’t see a strong Black person I identified with,” says Mia Miller, activist and Youth Ambassador at Beloved Arise, an organization aiming to empower queer youth regarding their faith.
Growing up in Texas, Miller, 19, was no stranger to discrimination. They faced numerous moments that made it harder to fully embrace their Blackness. But finding a supportive community changed everything. “High school was a complete 180 for me, and the moment that everything changed,” they share. “I learned who I was and found my identity as a Black non-binary person, a Black woman, and a Black Muslim, and I knew I wanted to begin advocating for each of those terms to be accepted as one.”
Historically, it hasn’t been easy to be both LGBTQ and a person of faith. When Miller discovered Beloved Arise during their senior year of high school, another light clicked on. They had experienced queer spaces before, but something always felt like it was missing. “I was looking for a community where I could be Black, LGBTQ, and Muslim at the same time, but found that most groups missed the mark. Either they weren’t very diverse, or being a person of faith didn’t mesh well with being LGBTQ.”
At Beloved Arise, that narrative shifted. The organization is the first of its kind dedicated to empowering queer youth of faith—and it’s doing so on a national level. Its mission is rooted in leading with unconditional love, especially within spiritual communities. That ethos resonated deeply with Miller. “I blossomed! Being able to fully live out all the parts of myself made me much more confident in my identity, and I know that the seven-year-old me would be so happy to see that,” they say.
Since then, Miller has made it their mission to continue the work—and to be a safe place for others, especially queer Black people of faith. “My goal is to create a space where identities and individuality are celebrated and where people can be all of themselves unapologetically, despite what the world around them is saying,” they add.
Miller is one of three youth ambassadors at Beloved Arise, working alongside Sid High, who is Christian and trans, and Sabrina Hodak, who is Jewish and bisexual. Together, they advocate for inclusion and empowerment through community programming, particularly during the organization’s Queer Youth Day. The annual event features panels, discussions, and activities centered on positivity and acceptance. “The biggest takeaway is that you can be queer and a person of faith, making it clear that the two can be combined and that you don’t have to be alone in your journey,” says Miller.
There’s also a strong digital push: social videos, live chats, and interactive activities like friendship bracelets and vision boards. But beyond the surface-level fun, Miller highlights the importance of Beloved Arise’s mentorship program, which pairs youth (ages 14–24) with young adults in their 20s and 30s. These mentors guide conversations around queerness, faith, and navigating everyday life.
Everyone, regardless of gender or race, knows that life can be an uphill climb. But at Beloved Arise, mentors like Miller are working to make the journey feel a little less lonely. “It starts with having those conversations out loud, with people who have different perspectives and who can bring those points of view to others,” they say. Too often, people are quick to divide. But when we lead with empathy and respect—even when we don’t agree—that’s when real change begins.
Miller and Beloved Arise are doing precisely that.