September has been a rollercoaster for me. As the weather changes with the season (slightly, because I live in LA,) I find big life changes occur with it. Opportunities have come in abundance this month, but as a person who doesn’t want to jinx anything, I won’t yet divulge the “in the works” work I have coming this school-calendar year. I do, however, have some exciting news that I can share in regards to this site; its expanding.

CoreyRae.com doesn’t just host my blog, which you’re currently reading, but also a new section I’ve added, where I’ll be profiling positive and unique LGBTQ+ community members. It’s kind of like Barbara Walters list of interesting people, but bi-weekly (for now) and way more in-depth about how these individuals found out about gender and sexuality, when they identified with those terms, how they’ve come to be the people they are today, what their biggest dreams are, and what they want for themselves and our world.

I launched this part of my site with a profile on my friend Dayna Troisi, who is bionic and a lesbian, among many other amazing things. The second profile, which I published yesterday, focuses on a new bestie of mine, Jeff Perla, who runs the account @TheTravelinBum, where I’ve also posed in the nude.

I’m excited to start sharing the stories of all LGBTQ+ individuals in the hopes to inspire overall acceptance and shed light on stories that people may be able to relate to in many different ways. It’s not just about me anymore, I feel it’s my duty to share as many amazing stories as I can to show no matter your circumstances, you can defy them.

This month I also signed on to be a writer for a web series, titled, “To Be Me…” that is set to film in late November/early December, which I will have a small acting role in as well. This is a passion project for everyone involved and we are crowdfunding to make it happen. We created a short video talking about the series and its importance; you can find it on the GoFundMe page here! Any and all contributions are so incredibly important and I thank those of you ahead of time who do show their support for this incredibly important project of mine.

If you haven’t already read Mays reflection piece (which I did fail to promote on IG or FB) it was about my Lighting in a Bottle experience. Within the same week this month, at the same exact spot, my path crossed with two people I had met at different times during LiB. We got to relive our experiences and chat about how much we enjoyed one another’s energies. It’s instances like these that prove it's most important to be yourself, and kind, all the time, above anything else.

Good things happen when you keep at it, and every month I see that more and more clearly. I did my first product promotion on Instagram for Di’MYOOR skincare, a line of cruelty and paraben-free products. You can see that post here. I also went on an impromptu audition, which I didn't end up booking, but the experience was another learning curve for me.

A few days later I was asked by Chris Klemens to be on his podcast with Christine Sydelko, called, “Don't Mess with Chris and Christine.” Chris is the Youtuber whose video, “I got high and interviewed strangers” I took part in last October by a chance encounter. That next day he put a search out for me on his Twitter and Instagram, only knowing my first name without the spelling, and his “Klementines” found me on IG, tagged him, he followed me, and within 24 hours I got 500 followers. The podcast, where we got high and talked all things transgender, (which was also filmed) will air sometime this October, and I can’t wait to share it with everyone.

In the last weekend of this month, my friend Ninah came to town. I posted an IG pic of us, without attempting to figure out how it would look with the rest of my content, and it ended up getting amazing engagement… actually my best in a long time. This assured me I should worry less about the likes and what everyone thinks, and just post relatable content with the people, places, and things that I love, cherish, and believe in.

I always wait until the last moments to finish each monthly piece because something crucial happens the day before a new month starts. Last night, I was asked to walk in the first ever equality fashion week which kicks off LA fashion week, this Friday, October 5th! I am so excited. This will be my first official runway show since… I think high school! If you have Instagram, make sure to follow me as I document the #BTS (behind the scenes) and many more of my daily antics. The fashion show will be live streamed on the IG page, @equalityfashionweek, and hosted by Carmen Carrera.

Stay tuned for what’s next!!!

xxCR