“There’s a time to come to New York and a time to leave.” In August 2014, I flew into New York City to start my undergrad at Columbia. And exactly a month ago, after eleven years, I set out towards Chicago.
It has taken me so long to post this. How do I capture over a decade? The neighborhoods I called home— especially Washington Heights and Bay Ridge. My corner stores. My favorite libraries. My bagel order. My trains: the 1, A, R. My parks— shout out J. Hood Wright and WSQ! My school days, my work shifts, my creative lives. The sunsets and sometimes sunrises, the Broadway shows and art films and rock concerts. Every moment of dancing. And most of all, every time I could share this city with a loved one, a friend, or an acquaintance, from quick Harlem coffees to long Park Slope walks to martinis at my favorite LES bar— now closed.
I think the answer is that I can’t capture it, the same way I can’t pin exactly when I began calling myself a New Yorker. (Though I did meet one definition: over ten years!) New York City is always shifting. It will always be more than any one thing.
I’m thankful for everything this city taught me, the energy it gave me to grow into my own. It’s the people that make New York for me, and I feel supremely lucky to have my New York family, related and found.
And there is absolutely no way I can stay away for long, so I’ll be visiting often. I💜NY!!
On June 21st, 2025, I asked Julien to marry me— and they said yes! 💍☀️🩵
In June 2022, Julien and I had our second date in Central Park. I swiftly fell in love with this handsome, smart, talented, and unbelievably wonderful person, and the past three years have been full of such rich vibrancy and joy together. In April, Julien asked me to be their wife (more pictures incoming!) and I said yes. And on the summer solstice, in the season we first met, I took Julien to a gazebo by the water. I knelt and asked if they would marry me, if I could be by their side for the rest of our lives. And they said YES!
Thank you so, so much to everyone who helped make this wonderful day happen! From the sneaky photographers holding down the gazebo, to my dear friends finding the absolutely perfect spot on Sheep’s Meadow, to all our loved ones who came for the surprise picnic— I am full of unending gratitude for you all.
Julien, I can’t believe we’ll have the marvelous experience of growing old together, of making space and meals and memories. I love you so much, and I can’t wait to be your wife! 🌙✨
Hello! I’m Juniper, or JP for short. I’m trans. they/them, she/hers 🌿💚🏳️⚧️
Many of y’all already know me as Juniper, but here’s my Hard Debut as a queer transfem person, having transitioned for a couple years now.
Transitioning feels like running the right software. It’s like finally finding the right coordinate system for myself and steering my life towards a truer place. In transition, the interplay of my body, my wants, and my history becomes a garden I nurture with flowers of my own choosing.
I come out because I want to, and because I feel supported and safe enough. I come out to join a context larger than myself and to claim kinship with countless transfems of color who have come before me, especially my bakla Filipino ancestors. I come out to reframe how you know me, to nudge you closer to me.
We’ve been here forever, but it hasn’t been and has yet to be a good time for trans people. Transphobia (with white supremacy and patriarchy) unrelentingly violates our lives, especially for Black and brown trans folks. Cis friends: are you nurturing yourselves for the better? To borrow from Fred Moten: this is killing you too. The sex/gender binary fetters everyone.
To the trans folks in my life: thank you. I am so glad we found each other. I am so glad we get to read, write, listen, dance, and be with each other. Take care. - Juniper 🌱
This photo was taken by my dear friend @colorsmith — thank you so much for your artistry and generosity 💜
breaking my Instagram curse to celebrate my dear fiancé’s 29th birthday! ✨💚💐 @julien_final_v2
It has been incredible seeing you over the past year: from gathering with your friends and family to learning a new instrument, from a cross-country move to a long-awaited top surgery! I feel so lucky to be by your side as you go through life in your beautiful, vibrant, thoughtful way. I love you so much!! Happy birthday!
okay so we made it to Chicago !! 🌃
first days at Northwestern / the Bean and the Loop / meals with friends old and new! / Chicago pleasures — road trip stops in Missouri and Illinois / Carmen runs 26.2 / museum date / our housewarming spread / my friend is a dramaturg / our night with Chappell Roan in Kansas City!
twenty-nine years! feeling all the birthday love 💜🎉💃
I’m looking forward to the last year of my twenties! 29 was a year of growing pains and slow builds, and I am so grateful for my circle of loved ones.
I also have big news: I’m going back to school! I start at Northwestern University this fall with the Interdisciplinary PhD program in Theatre and Drama, where I’ll combine my long-simmering interests in queer theory, performance studies, and musical theatre. Julien and I will move to Chicago this September, and we are so excited to get to know The Windy City! (Please send recs!)
I am still SO amazed to have this opportunity. To the dozens of folks who helped me over the past two-ish years —with school recommendations and program advice and proofreads and mock interviews — I have bottomless gratitude.
last two pics from my previous times in Chicago: in 2019 for the Dance Studies Association, and in 2010 when I performed there for a year!
Viernes Siblings, four for four! My older siblings Rex and Jackie gave me and Lexi the most incredible surprise: a Viernes reunion in NYC 🥹😍🧡
In classic Viernes fashion, there was karaoke, sightseeing, good eats, and lots of much needed quality time. This was our first time all together in over a year, and it was truly magical. Thank you so, so much @rexfriday and @jackiefriday for planning this with @julien_final_v2@garebearblair and @jv_dpv — as you can see, Lexi and I had NO IDEA what was in store! I feel so, so lucky to be a Viernes kid and have such wonderful siblings. I love you all so much!! 😭💙
January + February 2025 ❄️ “only in the infinitive”
New Years, a Portland bach trip, New York flurries, New York accomplishments, pets and poems and many a heartwarming meal! 🍜
Last slide is “The Stranger” by Adrienne Rich
a belated happy birthday post to my dear Julien, 28 as of yesterday!! 🌳🌸
proud and cheering for you always— for your growth, the way you nurture yourself and others, the ways you illuminate the world. I love you so much, Julien. Happy, happy birthday! 🎊 @julien_final_v2
the whirlwind end of 2024! A New Orleans trip, an East Coast Christmas ☀️❄️🌲
I’m finally sharing some beautiful memories from November and December— what a winter! Thank you to Christmas songs, beautiful weddings, FaceTime, Dat Dog, birds in Audubon, surprisingly swift sleds, homemade eggnog, Lazy Sundaes Canal (R.I.P.), Friends and Lovers, and my friends, family, and sweet beloved for keeping the cold at bay 🎄❤️
