Yahoo!: Changemaker Justin David Sullivan shares how they shine under the lights of Broadway

“I think it is so important for queer stories to be shared. We're turning a corner in the musical theater age specifically on Broadway. There were multiple gender expansive and queer characters in our season, which I think is so special and so exciting.

My name is Justin David Sullivan. I'm a singer, actor, and artist based in New York City. And I'm currently playing May in the Broadway musical & Juliet.

May is Juliet's best friend. May is a very special character to me because May is openly non binary gender queer and goes on this beautiful journey of self-discovery. And I feel like May is just so similar to me. So many of those experiences I have lived through and relate to and to get to be the person that shares that story. It means so much to me.

I grew up in a household that wasn't always supportive of my queer identity. And that was a big struggle for me. And I tried everything I could to change those parts about myself that a lot of the world wouldn't accept. I eventually just had to realize that this is who I am and there's nothing wrong with that. I was perfect just as I was and that is something that should be celebrated.

I believe that theater-- and this is why I love theater so much-- is that I believe it has the power to change people perspectives, change people's minds, and kind of open it up. So to get to be a beacon of hope is more than I could dream of really and. That's what I wanted when I was in high school. That's what I felt like I needed and never had.

Being who I am on Broadway helps anybody, whether that helps them to discover that they themselves are queer, or non binary, or trans, whether that helps a family member or a relative get a better understanding of what that looks like. I just want to help queer people all across the world feel celebrated, feel loved, feel embraced for being exactly who they are. And I think that in itself is the power of representation. That's what that does.

It gives people the affirmation that they need to know that they're not alone. And I think that is so powerful. And if that helps make anyone's journey in their queerness and their self-discovery easier, then I will have done my job.

Getting to take up space as a mixed race queer trans non binary person who is making their professional acting debut, getting to hold space for anyone who sees themselves in me brings me so much joy. I am so grateful to get to do what I do every day and to share this specific story with these audiences is the highlight of my life. It's truly a dream come true. It is my life's purpose. I think to instill that into a generation of new up and coming artists. And I hope to keep inspiring people every day.