Arts & Pride Month conversation series: Heather Matthews
Originally published on The JOLT News on June 25, 2026
This series would be incomplete without arts educator, actor and musician Heather Matthews, who is so heavily involved in our community.
Chatting with Matthews last year, I felt like our conversation was not (and never will be) over. Matthews offers profound insights that are invaluable for our society, regardless of the affiliations you identify with.
I invite you to open your mind and heart as you enjoy our conversation.
Our conversation
Benton: How would you describe the arts role in your story as someone in the LGBTQ+ community? How did coming out enhance your artistic capabilities and impact you as an artist today?
Matthews: "It has played a huge role in my life. There weren’t many out queer kids in my school, but all the closeted queers and people in the arts were understanding and accepting. I think theater especially helps people explore the different parts of their identity and allows you to step into other people’s shoes for a bit, which always teaches you a bit more about yourself.
"Representation in all artistic spaces, especially on TV and film, has played a big role in making society more accepting and helping people not feel alone as they relate to the characters they see."
Benton: Have you encountered any discrimination in the education and professional arts worlds?
Matthews: "Being an elementary music teacher can be dicey. While it's no secret that I am a member of the LGBTQIA community, I don't advertise it heavily at work. In June, I do highlight queer musicians in the classroom and mention that it’s Pride Month to at least the fourth and fifth grades, but that's not a conversation I want to have with parents of younger students. I have gotten a couple of concerned parents talking to my principal, but I feel very grateful that he has supported me
"Right now I go by 'she/them' pronouns, and if I didn’t teach elementary, I would probably go by 'they/them' and 'Mx.' I don’t mind being called 'she,' but I really don’t like being called 'Mrs./Miss' because it all has roots in ownership."
Benton: Can you tell me about your experience being the vocal director for Olympia High School’s “The Prom?”
Matthews: "With the temperature of the current political climate and what is happening in Tumwater, I had a little bit of trepidation about OHS putting on this show because I didn’t want the kids to get any blowback from classmates or the community. I just didn’t want a nasty spotlight on what is actually a beautiful story.
"This story really hit a chord with the students and really touched them. Even in a pretty accepting place like Olympia, there were a lot of queer kids that couldn’t make it through the 'Unruly Heart' song without tears because they felt they had a place where they could be themselves without being made to feel like a weirdo.
"Being the vocal director for this production was really healing for me. My high school was really unsafe to be out in. People would write derogatory stuff on your locker or throw rocks at you if you were holding hands with someone of the same sex.
"When rehearsal hit its road bumps and there was the normal friction that comes with any teamwork, I would remind them of the importance of the story they were telling.
"There is a quote from Dr. Karl Paulnack from The Boston Conservatory that says, 'If we were a med student practicing appendectomies, you’d take your work very seriously because you would imagine that some night at two AM, someone is going to waltz into your emergency room and you’re going to have to save their life. Well, my friends, someday at 8 PM someone is going to walk into your concert hall and bring you a mind that is confused, a heart that is overwhelmed, a soul that is weary. Whether they go out whole again will depend partly on how well you do your craft.' I just think that the arts are completely lifesaving and magic."
Benton: If you have a megaphone where you could share a message about the LGBTQ+ community with Thurston County, what would you say?
Matthews: "Drag Artist Pattie Gonia recently posted a video that said, 'Scientists agree that birds sing to each other in the morning as a way of telling each other that they made it through the night. I think queer people do the same and that pride is our bird song.' I encourage you all to just go see all the live performances you can because these spaces are full of queer folks and is one of the places where they’re really safe to be themselves."
https://thejoltnews.com/stories/arts-pride-month-conversation-series-heather-matthews,29570