Check Out Cole Foust’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Cole Foust.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I grew up in South Tampa near the MacDill Air Force Base. As a child, I was intensely creative and empathetic. I was almost always found drawing a picture or concerning myself with how to help someone else through a tough situation. Throughout my K-12 experience, I continued to stay focused on my compassion for others and my academics, despite the challenges that came with growing up in poverty. Poverty wasn’t the only form of adversity I had to face, though. Being a closeted LGBTQ+ teenager in the early 2000’s in conservative Pasco county was also extremely challenging. In fact, the social climate was so anti-LGBTQ+ that one of my gay classmates attempted suicide because of the incessant bullying he faced. While I spent most of my teens living in fear of what would happen if I came out about my LGBTQ+ identity, what I experienced as a teenager was the foundation for the unyielding dedication to changing the climate for LGBTQ+ people all over the globe. While earning my Bachelor’s degree at the University of South Florida, I developed multiple platforms to engage in dialogue about social inequalities, marginalized groups, and public health issues. I graduated with my Bachelor’s degree in Psychology in December of 2014. This was a huge accomplishment as I am the first person in my family to attend college or university! In 2015, I continued to embrace my empathy. I served with a variety of non-profit organizations through AmeriCorps, focusing on Urban and Rural Development, Environmental Stewardship and Conservation, and Infrastructure Improvement.

In 2017, I landed a full-time position as an LGBTQ+ Program Coordinator, where I created and facilitated programs for LGBTQ+ youth in Pinellas County. This position was a crucial turning point in my coming out process. It was in working with the LGBTQ+ Youth at Metro Inclusive Health that I finally accepted that medically transitioning was important to me and my personal gender expression. In November 2017, I came out as trans masculine to my coworkers, family, and friends and shyly announced my new name and pronouns. In 2018, I was promoted to LGBTQ+ Division Manager, which allowed me to create programs and events for LGBTQ+ people of all ages. This position is where I’ve been able to affect the most positive change in my community. Through facilitating LGBTQ+ Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion presentations to businesses internationally, I am able to live my life motto, “We can change the world one compassionate conversation at a time.” As a man who is transgender, I feel strongly about educating the community about LGBTQ+ inclusivity through art, music, and interactive workshops. Currently, I am pursuing my Master of Social Work degree from the University of South Florida, and I am expected to graduate in 2022. My ultimate goal is to earn my Ph.D. in Social Work to conduct LGBTQ+ centered research and contribute to global progress for LGBTQ+ equity.

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
It has not always been a smooth road. Growing up in poverty, living with a parent who had bipolar disorder and schizophrenia, losing that parent to suicide in 2015, being a first-generation college student, surviving a domestic violence relationship, and coming out as transgender have all been some struggles along the way to the beautiful life I lead now.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am an artist, musician, student, and Manager at a non-profit agency. Starting in January, I will also be adding in a clinical social work internship & begin offering no-cost counseling to communities who have been historically oppressed.

If you had to, what characteristic of yours would you give the most credit to?
Genuine love. While I overcame great odds to get to where I am today, I could not have done it without knowing what to lead with love. My mother poured every ounce of love in her heart into me when I was a child and continues to do so to this day. Her love taught me how to approach every situation with compassion, empathy, and perseverance.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @colerising
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cole-foust/

Image Credits
Guitar photo: Rachel Covello // OUTCOAST PHOTOGRAPHY Photo 1 (graduation photo): Ash Dudney Photo 2 (me and my fiancee): Rachel Covello // OUTCOAST PHOTOGRAPHY Photo 3 (the t-shirt I designed): Chelsea Creaturo Photo 4 (me reading a poem I wrote at the State of the City address): City of St. Petersburg Photo 5 (me with Mayor Kriseman at a St. Pete Pride event): N/A Photo 6 (a trans pride flag I painted): Sorella Anderson 
 Photo 7 (a pride photoshoot with friends): Mason Gallo Photo 8: Mural and photo by Cole Foust