Meet Amber Cantorna-Wylde | Author, Speaker, and Social Justice Advocate

We had the good fortune of connecting with Amber Cantorna-Wylde and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Amber, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
I believe that creativity and the arts are what people need most at this time in our country. It’s what brings people together in the midst of division. Especially coming out of the pandemic, people are in need of the arts that much more. It cultivates community and gifts people with both hope and joy. I also believe in the power of stories and the influence they have to teach and help people understand life from different perspectives. Often more powerful than data or research, personal stories have the ability to unite people across cultures and systems of belief and make the world a better place for everyone.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I’m a national speaker, coach, and storyteller supporting LGBTQ+ people through their coming out process and educating others on the importance of full inclusion. After completely losing my family after coming out as gay in 2012, I became passionate about dissolving shame, fostering self-acceptance, and generating messages of hope for LGBTQ+ people and their families, especially those from conservative faith backgrounds.

I write books and resources supporting queer people and raising awareness of the need for more LGBTQ+ inclusion. My third book, “Out of Focus: My Story of Sexuality, Shame, and Toxic Evangelicalism” will release from WJK Press in October 2023.

I love bringing marginalized people together and creating safe pockets of community that give them a place to call home. One way I did that during the pandemic is that founded the Unashamed Love Collective ~ a beautiful and inclusive membership-based online community for LGBTQ+ people and allies.

Now that the world is opening up a bit more, I also lead in-person Cultivating Community Retreats—small, intimate group gatherings that build lasting relationships with like-minded people.

Being a gay female and living with an invisible disability, I am passionate about fighting for the equality, equity, and dignity of all people.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If time and weather allow, I always head for the mountains. Visiting Summit County is my absolutely favorite spot in the state and taking people on the Vail pass bike ride (especially in the fall) is always epic and something I never tire of. If we’re staying local, I like to take people downtown Colorado Springs and visit places like Ladyfinger Letterpress and Icons to support the local queer community.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My Patreon supporters! These are the people who come alongside me and partner with me in my work. I couldn’t do what I do without their faithful support and belief in what I do. By financially contributing to my advocacy work on a monthly basis, it makes the continuation of this grassroots work possible.

Website: https://www.AmberCantornaWylde.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/AmberCantornaWylde

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ambercantornawylde/

Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/ACantornaWylde

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AmberCantornaWylde

Other: https://www.UnashamedLoveCollective.com

Image Credits
Martha Wirth Photography KreativeEdge Photography