#10 YOU BETTER WALK B...

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Intuition is Iconic

Barry Brandon

He/Him She/Her They/Them

IG: thequeerindigo

Project: FAH + ICONIQA

Reading time 5min 15sec

Speaking time 10 min 06 sec

When you think about how communities are built, the most exciting and unexpected moments can often catalyse change.

For many, stepping into the spotlight happens with a plan, but for others, it’s more like an accident, a mistake that turns into a whole new path in life. For one individual, this serendipity shaped not only their journey but also created ripples that sparked conversations and visibility within communities that were waiting to be seen.

This interview is set in the chaos of a city—Berlin, famous for its late nights, creative energy, and hub of inclusivity and expression. And it’s here that our subject, whose presence is a beacon of joy and acceptance, is sitting, talking to me about their journey, their thoughts, and the importance of visibility.

“I’m sorry,” they say, laughing a little at the noise in the background. “I’ve been out late. You know, Berlin... it’s just the vibe here, every time I visit. It’s just so easy to lose track of time. But anyway, enough about that. Let’s talk about how this all started.”

It all started a little unexpectedly, like most of the best things in life do. “So, TikTok. Yeah, it was just exploding in the States at the time,” they begin. “I was living in Chicago, still involved in nightlife, and running a live singing competition show. And then there was Josette, one of the winners of the first season of the show. She had this wild idea to start posting on TikTok. She’d caught the wave early and was getting millions of followers. She kept telling me, ‘You need to be on this platform, just post something. Just walk. Do something.’ I thought it was insane. I was already in my late thirties, I wasn’t some 20-year-old influencer. But she was relentless. So, one day she came to visit, and we just shot something on a whim.”

The video was simple—a walk in the park with friends, no heels, just a fun little clip with a popular song from Heathers in the background. But it wasn’t the kind that would typically get millions of views. Or so they thought. “The next day, I posted a short video, just having fun with friends. Nothing major. And before I knew it, the notifications were flooding in. I thought something had broken.”

But this wasn’t just a regular viral moment. The comments weren’t just admiring the dance or the style—it was a real conversation unfolding right in front of their eyes. “The messages started coming in from all over the world. People were confused, fascinated, inspired. Some said they’d never seen someone like them on their feed before—queer, unashamed, mixing elements of masculinity and femininity. ‘What are you? Are you trans? Are you just a drag queen? Why are you walking like that?’ It was a lot to digest, but also so affirming. It made me realize that, somehow, I was doing something that mattered to people.”

The video that followed, where they and their friends wore all black and strutted to the song Sissy That Walk, went viral again—this time, globally.

 They were suddenly the center of a new wave of discussions about gender, expression, and visibility. But, amidst the waves of attention, they also found themselves questioning their place in the conversation. “I remember feeling a little unequipped to respond to the messages, not because I didn’t understand them, but because I didn’t feel like I had the right to be the one to speak. I have so many friends who’ve faced so much more struggle than I have. I felt almost like an imposter. People were celebrating me, but I didn’t feel like I deserved it. My life, in many ways, had been a privilege. I’m tall. I have a beard. I can exist in spaces without constant fear. And that’s not the case for so many others in our community.”

It took some time for them to reflect on their power and the responsibility that came with it. “I’ve always been involved in activism, but I never viewed visibility as activism. I thought it was just about fighting for the bigger issues—the real struggles. But then, I realised—that visibility is activism. The simple act of existing, unapologetically, especially when the world tries to silence you, is revolutionary. And my voice, my platform, can help amplify voices that haven’t been heard or those that don’t feel safe enough to speak yet.”

Through that lens, they started to step into their own power, using their platform not just for personal visibility, but for raising up others who shared similar struggles. 

“I started thinking about the people in my circle—so many talented, creative, queer individuals who didn’t have the platform I did. It felt important to bring them along, to show the world that we are here, and we are extraordinary.”

This intention to use their visibility for good led to collaborations, creative projects, and a deepening connection with people all over the world. Alongside their agency—For All Humans—which they co-own with their friend Nico, they’ve worked on numerous campaigns with a focus on positive community impact. But it’s not just about the projects—they’re also about the relationships. “For me, it’s about the people. It’s always been about the people,” they say. “Traveling, meeting people from all over, hearing their stories—these are the things that fuel me. I want to create a space where people can be themselves, and where they can see others be themselves too. And I want to do that on a global scale.”

With the launch of their book—ICONIQA—a celebration of queer excellence—and their plans for more art-focused projects shortly, it’s clear that they’re not slowing down. But it’s not just the work that keeps them going. It’s the joy.

“I made a conscious decision a long time ago to live a joy-centered life,” they say, leaning in, as if to share a secret. “It’s not always easy, but it’s always worth it. I choose joy. Every single day. That’s my pursuit of happiness.”

For them, happiness is a choice, a practice—a mindset that shifts in moments of adversity.

“I’ve been through a lot. I have a heart condition that, at times, should have taken my life. I should have died a thousand times. But I’m still here, and because I’m still here, I make it a point to live fully. To be joyful, to be happy, to connect with others. I believe that joy isn’t just about having everything perfect—it’s about choosing to see the good, choosing to find happiness even in hard times.”

They smile as they speak, and you can feel the weight of that optimism, of that intentional pursuit of happiness that permeates their every word.

“I know things aren’t always perfect,” they add, “but when you focus on joy, on being grateful for the small things, it makes everything feel a little easier. And I want to share that with others, especially those who feel invisible. If I can be visible and joyful, maybe that will help someone else feel the same.”

Looking ahead, they’re already planning for the next chapter—traveling more, creating more, amplifying voices, and, of course, meeting more people. “I want to be present in places, meeting people, building relationships, and just spreading that joy. I think we all need more of it.”

And as we wrap up the conversation, there’s a sense of clarity that settles in. In the end, it’s not about being the loudest voice or the most visible person—it’s about the joy you bring to others, the way you lift them, and the space you create for them to thrive.

Barry’s journey, in all its unexpectedness and evolution, is a reminder that sometimes the most beautiful things come when you least expect them—when you’re just walking with friends, being yourself, and letting the world catch up.