Katey
“Being a woman means many things to me. Mainly to not let any womanly stereotypes of what I’ve learned I’m supposed to be get in my way. I was a tomboy, gay, and to me, not like anyone I’ve ever met. I love women who stray from their stereotypes and just be themselves.”
Katey is motivated to pursue her passions and live outside the parameters of expectation. Her entrepreneurial spirit has allowed her to turn her hobbies into professions — her creative range spanning from art & music to barbering. She has learned to embrace every part of herself and live in her truth, encouraging and uplifting other women to do the same. Meet Katey. This is her story.
K: Please introduce yourself!
KH: Hi my name is Katey LuRae Harvey.
K: Describe yourself in your own words
KH: I’m a funny, creative, loving person who loves to laugh and have fun. I’ve always made a point to learn all sorts of trades from spray paint art, djing, graphic design, and newly barbering.
K: What is your favourite thing about yourself?
KH: I’ve always found a way to teach myself new creative things all on my own and have found ways to make money from doing them along the way.
K: Tell us a story. Have you had an experience that’s defined you or made you stronger?
KH: When I was a Jr. in High School I got caught kissing a girl on a school night in front of a 7-Eleven. The person who caught me was best friends with the senior girls on the basketball team. I was on as a Jr, on JV. I felt I may have been caught because I saw the girl in her car staring right at me as I left. I felt very anxious the next day.
As it was time to walk into the team locker room, I heard lots of talking and laughing from the varsity team before I opened the door. When I did, all of the noise stopped and it was dead silent with a room full of girls as I grabbed my basketball shoes. After I left, I couldn’t help to think they were talking about me. As I was walking away, I told myself “I was probably being paranoid..” suddenly I heard someone running and yelling my name. I stopped and turned around to find one of the varsity girls.. She told me right away they were talking about me and what happened last night at the 7-Eleven. I was in shock and didn’t know what to say. I told her thank you for being honest. She replied “We were just curious but were not talking bad about you.”
Despite what was said, I knew in that moment I needed to come out to my team before it got around. I wanted everyone to hear it from me and not through anyone else. I then went around and pulled aside each of my teammates on the JV team. Even my coaches. It was hard but I was so proud of myself for making the initiative to tell everyone before they got to. This made me stronger and made it easier to tell more people in my life. It was the start to finally living my honest truth of who I was: gay.
K: What is one piece of advice you’d give to your younger self?
KH: To be patient to find love…it’s going to come. Enjoy your young body and stop putting it down. Don’t let others determine how you feel and focus on confidence more. I wish I truly would of started earlier on self love and self care.
K: What does being a woman mean to you?
KH: Being a woman means many things to me. Mainly to not let any womanly stereotypes of what I’ve learned I’m supposed to be get in my way. I was a tomboy, gay, and to me, not like anyone I’ve ever met. I love women who stray from their stereotypes and just be themselves. Whether that means focusing on their career, being a loving mother, an artist, a musician, or just anything they want to be without letting anyone else influence who they think you should be. Women are amazing. They can literally do anything they want to do in this world.
K: Who is one woman that inspires you? What would you say to her if she were here now?
KH: I have to start out saying thank you to my Dad for introducing her on my 4th grade field trip to the zoo. We were on the train and we were listening our CD player when he put in a CD that struck my ears like lightening, I didn’t want to stop listening to it.. She is now my forever idol, Alecia Moore better known as “P!NK.” She was my inspiration my whole life to be a badass woman, who rocks out and stands up for the ones who don’t believe in themselves and to let them know through her music that they are beautiful every shape and from they come in. She is a female Rockstar that is funny and an insanely talented artist. She to me was that woman who influenced everything I did in life. Inspiring, courageous and never let anyone get in her away of being the rock icon that she is. Also can’t forget to mention a badass Mom who takes her two kids and husband on a two year tour to sold out arenas all over the world. I can’t say enough how amazing she is.
If she was here now I would say, thank you Alecia for being their always through music, YouTube, and putting on an amazing concert when I finally got to see you live on my 23rd birthday. Thank you for everything you have inspired me to be the entrepreneur I am today. Being the badass woman that I am, I’m making my living through my art and talents while learning how to love myself along the way. You taught me that and I’ll forever be thankful.