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The Atlanta Lesbian Health Initiative's January 2009 Real Woman is Sagan Lain, who stays healthy and strong by practicing a positive attitude and living in the world with love. A student at Agnes Scott College, Sagan is majoring in English Literature, with minors in Women's Studies and Human Rights.
This optimistic young woman sees the challenges and problems of the world, and she declares that one of the most important things we can do to meet those challenges is to learn and understand about other kinds of people. She plans to join the Peace Corps upon graduating from Agnes Scott.
Sagan grew up in Austin, Texas, with a very close-knit family that includes her mother, father, and brother, who is one year younger that her. She cites the solidarity and support of her family as being the strongest influence in her upbringing.
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Identifying her sexual orientation as queer, Sagan came out at age 13. Her mother and brother were supportive, although her father initially had doubts. However, by the time she turned 17, he came to accept her orientation.
Sagan is drawn to social justice causes, particularly when they involve discrimination and multi-culturalism. In November she participated in the Transgender Day of Remembrance candlelight vigil at the Capitol building.
Sagan's best health advice is to "listen to your body." She likes healthy foods, and has been a vegetarian for more than nine years, a choice she made for both ethical and health reasons. Although Sagan has no formal exercise routine, she stays active, as many twenty-something women do. She recently completed a strength training class. Two of her favorite activities are tree climbing and snowboarding. She has climbed several trees in the Atlanta area. As to snowboarding, she reports that she loves the combination of physicality and spirituality she finds in the activity.
In closing, Real Woman features Sagan's answers to nine questions adapted from the well-known Proust Questionnaire:
- What is your idea of happiness?
Love, anywhere - when you are walking outside, smile at a stranger, and the stranger smiles back.
- What quality do you most admire in a person?
Their sense of self.
- Who are your heroes in real life?
My GrandMarie, who has lived alone for many years. She has been there for everyone. She is genuinely happy, and is not afraid of death.
- What is it that you most dislike?
So many societies have allowed fear to foment hate.
- What natural gift would you most like to possess?
Focus.
- What is your favorite occupation?
Being happy
- What is your favorite exercise?
Smiling, and climbing trees.
- What is your favorite color?
Dark grey.
- How would you like your tombstone to read?
I don't want a tombstone, I want a chalkboard. Everyone can write or draw whatever they like.
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