At 18 years old, Camari Banks is shy but self-assured. He is a high school student, a Popeye’s employee, a dancer, a loyal friend, and an older brother to three younger siblings.

Camari describes his upbringing as solid and loving. From a young age he took school seriously and felt a sense of ownership over his life, which he credits to his mom, Tanesha Aikens. But despite the warmth and support in his home, he experienced a different side of humanity in school. From age nine, Camari was picked on by classmates who called him gay. Peers accused him of not showing enough masculinity, something that confused him. He had never thought of this as a problem.  

At a time when more young people than ever before identify themselves outside of the gender binary, many also face an increase in bullying—both in-person and online. These numbers are higher for those perceived to be part of the LGBTQ+ community. 

The attacks Camari faced were exhausting and traumatic. In high school, with social media widely accessible, threats worsened. This past winter a physical fight broke out at school, with Camari’s sexuality the focus of the attack. Camari was suspended. 

After the incident Camari received notice in the mail that he would face a suspension hearing. Through an online search Camari’s mom, Tanesha, connected with two lawyers: Marie Mombrun and Joel Pietrzak, from The Legal Aid Society’s Education Law Project (ELP). Mombrun and Pietrzak represented Camari at his suspension hearing—something that most of the time, students face without counsel.

ELP, a unit in Legal Aid’s Civil Practice, works on a variety of cases advocating for low-income children and families. With a holistic approach that often aids beyond just the legal situation, ELP assists young people through and beyond whatever educational issue they face. The ELP team considers the potential collateral consequences of a school situation and sets students up for growth beyond just negating the initial issue. Mombrun notes the importance of tackling suspension hearings with a firm understanding of the repercussions at stake. “Suspensions are somewhat of a portal to the school-to-prison pipeline,” she says. “If you only handle the suspension and don’t get to the root of the issue then it [the legal representation] doesn’t work.”  

After reducing some of the charges, Mombrun and Pietrzak took on the next problem Camari faced—figuring out a safe way for him to get an education. They helped him transfer in April to a new high school in Lower Manhattan. He started at City-As-School, a public high school where students have a non-traditional class schedule—fewer and longer classes and an internship for part of the week. Camari chose an internship at a farm. At the new school, he is finally able to explore who he is without force or fear. Most importantly, though, he has been able to keep the positive parts from his life before, like his dance team. 

This past semester marked Camari’s last season as a dancer with Secret Society Dance Company. He practiced almost every night of the week. Outside of school, work, and home, dance has been Camari’s calling throughout his teenage years, “my outlet,” he says. The team performs and competes around the city. Dance has been one of Camari’s saving graces—accentuating his open mind, fortifying his friendships, and providing him with a mentor in his coach, who Camari says touches on political and human rights issues through their routines. 

 He has found dance to be an incredibly non-discriminating practice. Camari’s hope is to find similar channels in the future— something City-As-School is helping him plan for.

In reflecting on the difficulties of his past decade, Camari chalks it up to a learning experience. His struggle culminates in a sort of enlightenment: that those who bullied him were more unhappy with themselves than anything else. “There were a lot of demons trying to take me down,” he says. “There was a lot of animosity in that [previous] building. Now I just feel like I think before I open my mouth… I think about how that person feels.” 

Camari will return to school in the fall for his senior year. He speaks on this and the future beyond with intention, excitement, and poise. He hopes to go to college or into the military, to study real estate, registered nursing, psychology, or teaching. “I love science,” he says. “So, I’m thinking maybe I could study science and become a researcher or a scientist.” 

Though he knows these next steps will take work, Camari’s commitment manifests in a full and vivid picture. 

“I want to go to Arizona or Florida. Even Texas. I think I’m a southern lover. I’m a palm tree type of person. I like the tropical. I want that tropical life. When I settle down, when I start my career, and buy my house—that’s all I want.” He pauses, then continues, “My life is starting now.” 

Words and photos by Phoebe Jones.