I've been feeling the Bern for quite some time now. I feel the Bern with my friends when we have lively and uplifting conversations about Bernie. Most of my friends are on LGTBQIAP spectrum in some sense, so, as part of a minority group, we felt Bernie was our main man.

A letter from Bernie Sanders in early 1970's when he was a candidate for Governor of Vermont.

Bernie is the only candidate that has been consistent in his beliefs and on the issues. One of my friends is an activist against fracking, and Bernie is the only candidate to downright oppose fracking. Bernie is the only candidate, although Hillary as jumped on the bandwagon, that free public higher education is a right, instead of being a privilege. Bernie recently talked to the Black Lives Matter: Upstate New York regarding the police killing of Dontay Ivy. A week after that meeting, Bernie then talks about meeting the Black Lives Matter activists in Albany, and finally puts in his rhetoric direct mention of police brutality on people of color. Although, not every candidate is perfect, we did our research. We know that Bernie Sanders alone won't alleviate the abundance of issues corroding our nation. We knew that Bernie Sanders was our president to be the force behind positive change. Bernie Sanders is different because he tells the truth, and doesn't stick to the status quo.

Alongside conversations with friends and my own research, I've watched the debates. I have listened to Hillary change her mind about marriage equality a little too late in the game. I have listened to her views. I have heard Martin O'Malley (when he was in the race) ask if it was his turn yet to speak. I have stomached through the Republican debates to give my conservative, Trump-loving, extended family the benefit of the doubt. I've heard Trump go on about China and building some wall with our tax dollars. I have seen Trump work with the hate and fear bubbling inside a good chunk of America's people and manipulate his campaign in that way. I've seen a video of Ted Cruz at a Christian Convention where the lead pastor called for the execution of my fellow LGBTQIAP friends. I've given every candidate some fair shot at winning my support. But, Bernie has been the candidate that has spoken clearly, consistently, and confidently about the issues and his way in which to implement change.

It was about time for me to see Bernie in person to solidify my vote in the upcoming New York primary on April 19th. When I heard that Bernie was making his way to the Capital Region, I knew this was my chance. I emailed my professors ahead of time, and took the day off to get in line bright and early. I went with some of my friends, and the line was already around block when I arrived two hours before the doors opened. I felt such sheer joy with those around us. Behind us, was a mother and her young son. She explained to us that her son loves Bernie and he was devastated when he couldn't vote for him just yet. One lady was coming around with snacks and told us to pass it along. Everyone was happy, hyped, and ready to feel the Bern together.

Holding my sign I made for the rally

I came with a small agenda, I brought along this sign in hopes for Bernie to see it. If you've read some of my "Dear Saint Rose," articles, you'd figure I would bring along some support along the way. I did some double duty, if you will. Both Buzzfeed and the Times Union went around to interview folks on why they attended the Bernie rally, and why they were avid supporters. It didn't hit my until I finally entered the Armory that I was going to be only feet away from Bernie in the flesh. My face was etched with a smile that seemed to seep through my cheekbones, and glow through my eyes.

My friend, Lauren, and I inside the Bernie rally

We waited for some time before Bernie made an appearance. However, the speakers that shared the same hopes that we did were just as great. The energy inside was bouncing off the walls, we cheered even when we had the slightest inkling of an idea that Bernie was near. There were 4,600 of us inside, and 2,000 left outside of the Armory. Bernie addressed the people left outside before he entered the Armory. And, once he came on stage, we never stopped cheering after every sentence. I recall Bernie saying, "Wow, you guys are loud!" and we cheered even louder. Bernie beamed, and we screamed. But, I think the most telling part of the event was when Bernie spoke--a pin could drop and you'd hear it.

During these moments of silence from the crowd, I looked around me and realized that each person was just as tired as I was. We were tired of consistently being pushed under the rug, we were tired of working instead of living. We were tired of having our friends killed for being black. We were tired of our Muslim friends being categorized as terrorists. We were tired of being in debt for getting an education. We were tired of working long hours for less time spent with our families. We were tired of not having a living wage. We were tired of making less if we were a women, even less if we were a women of color. We were tired of our trans brothers and sisters being murdered every 30 seconds. We were tired of being tired. But, we were still just as passionate. We still had some inkling of hope, and that hope was in Bernie but it was also in each other. Each of us had the ability to be some force of change because we were here and we had our reasons for why we were.

I recently voted for Bernie through my absentee ballot, and I urge you to stop being afraid of politics. Stop succumbing to your family members telling you your vote doesn't matter. Stop sticking to the status quo because it's comfortable--because it's not. Voting unfortunately is a privilege. If you're able to vote in the upcoming primary, make time and do it. Vote for the generation before you, vote for the people who aren't able to vote, and vote for the future ahead of you.

I felt a revolution ring through my bones last Monday, let's work together to keep the momentum going.

A Miitomo version of me telling you to vote for Bernie!