Celebrating Pride With A Captivating Content Creator Duo

This month, TikTok announced its first-ever Visionary Voices list honouring LGBTQIA2S+ creatives, small business owners and culture changemakers on TikTok along with #PrideTikTok programming and initiatives to celebrate Pride Month. Honourees include, Ice Spice, Brandon Blackwood, Maiya the Don, Keith Lee and Emira D’Spain to name a few. We chatted with a duo on the list, queer sisters Am and Noey, who have captivated diverse audiences through their content focused on self-expression, inclusive fashion, and LGBTQ+ advocacy on TikTok, to learn more. —Vita Daily

Please tell us a bit about yourself to start (first/last names, pronouns, some personal background/details, etc.)!

Our names are Am & Noey Zletni, and we are queer sisters living in Toronto, Ontario. Our preferred pronouns are she/her. However, we welcome all pronouns that are used respectfully. We were born and raised in Toronto, Canada, but our cultural heritage spans continents, with our mom’s birthplace being Goa, India, and our dad’s birthplace being Libya. We were raised in a household of intertwined religions, with our mom being Roman Catholic and our dad being Muslim; however, early on, we both embarked on a personal journey that led us to identify as spiritual. With a passion for self-expression, inclusive fashion, and LGBTQIA2S+ advocacy, we proudly share our own personal take on these topics on our TikTok account- @thezletnis, as well as our journey of self-discovery, acceptance, and empowerment. Our mission is to invite others to embrace their own individuality fearlessly and to continuously celebrate the LGBTQIA2S+ community.

How did you achieve (and continue to grow) your TikTok audience?

The journey of growing and achieving our TikTok audience has ultimately been grounded in a simple yet powerful principle: being our true selves. Embracing and expressing our unique identities authentically has allowed us to connect with others on a deeper level. This is the message we strive to spread – encouraging everyone to embrace their individuality because that sets them apart. In addition to this, we have also implemented some practical strategies to contribute to the growth of our TikTok presence. One of these strategies is striving to post a video daily. This isn’t always the easiest to do, as we do not live together, so coordinating our schedules to film videos has proven to be a task in itself, but we have recognized that consistency is key in the realm of social media. We have learned the value of expressing ourselves genuinely and consistently through dedication and perseverance. We have cultivated a supportive and engaged TikTok community by sharing our passions, advocating for inclusivity, and celebrating self-expression.

What do you like about TikTok as a platform, especially in terms of how you can use it to influence and inspire those that follow you, and to create social change?

TikTok has given us a platform to pursue our passion and purpose. It has allowed us to share our experiences, advocate for LGBTQIA2S+ rights, and ignite conversations that promote acceptance and equality. It also humbles us to see that the impact of our videos goes beyond entertainment, as our content has helped individuals feel seen, accepted, and inspired to embrace their true selves. Through our TikTok content, we aim to create a space where people can find comfort, validation, and the strength to be unapologetically themselves. We are committed to using our voices to drive positive change, break down stereotypes, and celebrate the diverse identities that make up our community. Together, alongside countless other creators and allies on TikTok, we are working towards creating a society where everyone, regardless of their sexual orientation, gender identity, or expression, can live their lives authentically and be celebrated for who they are. We are grateful for this opportunity to contribute to a more inclusive world and will continue to use our platform to uplift and empower others in the LGBTQIA2S+ community.

What topics do you cover/share most? Where do your passions lie?

Our shared passion for self-expression, inclusive fashion, and LGBTQIA2S+ advocacy are prominent topics and themes that we share most on our TikTok. Alongside this, we also share our continued journey of embracing our identities, which led us to be able to express our most authentic selves. These topics hold a special place in our hearts as we strive to inspire others to feel comfortable and confident in their own skin. By sharing our personal experiences, including our journey of coming out while navigating the complexities of our cultural and religious roots, we aim to break down barriers and challenge societal norms. Through our TikTok content, we aim to foster a community that embraces authenticity and celebrates the beauty and power of being your true self. We believe that by sharing our stories, advocating for LGBTQIA2S+ rights, and promoting inclusivity, we can create a safe and supportive space where individuals from all walks of life can find acceptance, validation, and inspiration.

Have you ever had to deal with haters/naysayers on social media? If so, what’s your approach?

Dealing with haters, naysayers, and homophobes is, unfortunately, an all-too-common challenge that we encounter in our journey as LGBTQIA2S+ advocates on TikTok. Initially, our approach was to ignore and disregard hateful comments, choosing not to engage with negativity. However, as we have grown and evolved, we have realized the importance of addressing these comments, particularly when they are filled with homophobia. We now view them as opportunities for education and spreading awareness. Engaging with hateful or homophobic comments allows us to use our platform to advocate for the LGBTQIA2S+ community. We have come to embrace these interactions as chances to challenge misconceptions, dismantle stereotypes, and promote understanding. We hope to foster empathy, compassion, and positive change by engaging in respectful and educational conversations.

What have some of the highlights of being so prominent on TikTok been for you?

One of the most significant highlights of our TikTok journey has been the incredible honour of being selected as part of TikTok’s first-ever Visionary Voices list. We are also immensely proud to represent Canada as the only Canadians chosen on this list, which serves as a powerful validation of the impact we have had as creators. This recognition signifies that our content has resonated deeply with others, particularly within the LGBTQIA2S+ community, inspiring and uplifting them on their own journeys. Another highlight of our prominence on TikTok has been the overwhelming love and support that we continue to receive from our amazing followers. We have fostered a remarkable community of individuals who embrace and cherish us for who we are and who also find inspiration and solace in our message. The heartfelt comments and messages we continuously receive from followers expressing how our videos have positively impacted their lives encouraged them to live more authentically, or even gave them the courage to come out to their loved ones, are profoundly moving. These messages touch our hearts and motivate us to continue pushing boundaries, challenging societal norms, and sharing stories that foster understanding, acceptance, and positive change.

June is Pride Month; what is the significance to you, and how are you using your voice to create change, establish community and help people in the LGBTQIA2S+ community (and others) feel seen and understood?

Being part of the LGBTQ+ community is something we deeply cherish and celebrate, as it provides us with a space to wholeheartedly embrace and celebrate our true selves, while transcending societal expectations and norms. Within this community, we have the ability to connect with others who share similar experiences, struggles, and triumphs. Being part of this community also entails a profound responsibility to continually advocate for equality, challenge discrimination, and work towards creating a more inclusive society for all individuals, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity. Our ultimate goal, not just during Pride Month, but all year round, is to inspire individuals, especially in the LGBTQIA2S+ community, to embrace their true selves, regardless of societal expectations or constraints. We want to cultivate a sense of belonging and acceptance where everyone feels free to express themselves authentically and be celebrated for who they are. Through our TikTok platform, we strive to create a ripple effect of positivity and empowerment, encouraging others to embark on their own journeys of self-discovery and self-acceptance. We aim to create lasting change and contribute to a more loving, accepting and compassionate world by amplifying diverse voices, promoting inclusivity, and fostering a sense of community.

With so many people following you on TikTok, who are some of your favourite accounts to follow?

Some of our favourite accounts to follow are Bretman Rock, Drew Afualo and other Masc fashion accounts.

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