The Bravest Thing I Ever Did
The bravest thing I ever did wasn’t leaving the security of academia to launch my own business as a diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging consultant, although I’ll admit that was terrifying.
It was deciding that I didn’t care what other people thought of me.
🟣 In 1985 I came out to my family and was disowned. I was devastated & no longer had $ for college.
🟣 In 1986 I “went straight” & transferred to a new university. Life in the closet was soul-crushing. I struggled with my health for years.
🎓 In 1990 I graduated summa cum laude from college.
🎓 In 1991 I got a fellowship and started graduate school to earn my MA and PhD.
🔵 In 1993 I came out AGAIN & my family disowned me all over again. It was heartbreaking but I was living my truth and my health improved.
🔵 In 1995 I “married” the love of my life, Carolyn G. Sullivan. (It wasn’t legal, thus the quotes.) We had met 2 years previously through the personal ads, back when they used to be in newspapers!
🏫 In 2001 I earned my doctorate, moved across the country, & became a queer studies professor in a red state.
🏫 In 2009 I became the first “out” queer studies professor to earn tenure at the University of Missouri. I published my book, Materializing Queer Desire.
💗 In 2015 I had a double mastectomy and survived breast cancer.
💗 In 2017 I legally married Carolyn in front of our families and friends! At last! That same year, I also founded the University of Missouri's Faculty Institute for Inclusive Teaching.
🚀 In 2022 I left behind my steady paycheck as a professor to broaden the impact of my work.
🚀 In 2023 I founded my consultancy dedicated to helping leaders put inclusion into action, one courageous conversation at a time. I also became a Strategic Partner of Carolyn’s business, New Chapter Coaching, so now we are partners in life and work. We celebrated our 31th anniversary over the summer!
The only regrets I have in life are the choices that didn’t reflect who I really am. What has helped you in and through your journey?
ID: Photo of Elisa in front of a large window. She is smiling and wearing black and white pearls, a black top, and red lipstick.
