Re-establishing Connection: My Journey to Becoming a Queer FTA

By: Nova R. (Ambassador)

Growing up, I never really had any type of exposure to what LGBTQ+ was. My high school barely touched on the subject, nobody in my family was LGBTQ+, and all my in-person friends were straight and cisgender. The first two years of high school were confusing for me; my connection with myself was “intermittent,” and I didn’t really know how to describe what I was feeling. Depression started hitting hard because I wasn't able to explain what I felt or how to explain it to others. Then, COVID-19 decided to roll around. COVID-19 was brutal for me and many others. This happened right in the middle of me having issues with my sexuality and my gender identity. I didn’t really have anyone to talk to or discuss it with because, at the time, I didn't have any friends who had experience with this or knew what I was talking about. The one place I did find solace was inside the online FIRST community. Through the online FIRST community, I met people who understood what I was going through and what I was feeling, and I was able to discuss things with them. I found places like the LGBTQ+ of FIRST community, where I met my friends, my chosen family, and two of my partners. The “intermittent connection” felt more stable as I was able to find who I am and sift through my feelings to figure out exactly what I was experiencing.​

Bringing My Authentic Self to the Field

As the world opened up and in-person competitions returned, I brought this newly discovered confidence with me. I realized that the FIRST community is worth giving back to and that it's important to make sure students have a safe place to be who they want to be. Students should be able to explore their identity while also being supported by mentors, volunteers, and alumni who have all been in similar situations of trying to figure out who they are. This passion for wanting to help students in their times of need led me down the path to becoming a FIRST Technical Advisor (FTA). In many ways, being an FTA mirrors my own journey of learning who I am. When a robot loses its connection on the field or the FMS decides that it wants to have a bad day, it's stressful, confusing, and overwhelming for the teams and volunteers involved. My job as an FTA isn't just to fix what is going on; it's also to be there as an emotional grounding force for everyone in their times of need so that they can perform their best on and off the field. Every time I troubleshoot something with the field, a robot, or the event itself, I am reminded of how the FIRST community helped me troubleshoot my own connection when I felt completely disconnected from myself and the world.

Looking Forward
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​Becoming a queer FTA has shown me the power of visibility and the importance of making sure that FIRST is a space for everyone. Being an FTA isn't just about managing the event or the technology behind it; it's also about showing every student that they belong here exactly as they are, and that they are supported every step of the way. To anyone out there who is currently navigating their own "intermittent connection" or trying to figure out who they are: FIRST is more than just robots. FIRST is a network of chosen family ready to wire your connections and ground you from the doubts you may have. All of us are here to help build the most authentic version of yourself, which is someone you can truly be proud of. Keep exploring, keep troubleshooting, and do not be afraid to step up to the field and see all of the volunteers who are here to support you.