When Rosalyn was eight, she learned that gay people could not get married; questioning why always led to the answer: "you're too young to understand." At age 17, she finally rejects the answer she's been given and discovers the future of the LGBTQ community from its complex past and optimistic present. Rosalyn Shi was born in New Jersey but grew up in New York and Shanghai; as a result, she is fluent in English and Mandarin. Her parents are both Chinese and her family moved to Hong Kong in the summer of 2013. She's always been sensitive and empathetic, so the realization that countless people are discriminated solely for their identity hit her hard. She grew up in restrictive environments that didn't allow her to express herself, but upon moving to Hong Kong, she steadily gained confidence and found her own identity: a proudly queer Chinese American who loves cats and strives for equity. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx