I'm the first openly transgender cheerleader in the NFL. Despite facing negative comments, I don't let anyone steal my joy.

• Justine Lindsay made sports history by becoming the first openly transgender cheerleader in the NFL.
• The athlete initially faced backlash, but is now ready for her second NFL season.
• Lindsay spoke with Insider reporter Yoonji Han about her love of dance, her transition journey, and her dream of becoming a 'big sister' for other Black trans athletes.

This is an as-told-to essay based on a conversation with Justine Lindsay, who made sports history last year by becoming the first openly trans cheerleader in the National Football League. The essay has been edited for length and clarity.

My dance career started at a very young age. I used to go with my friends to the North Carolina Dance Theater and watch performances like "The Lion King." I was fascinated with the arts. My older brother played football and my sister was in pageants, so I thought I'd be the "creative kid."

I was particularly enamored with ballet. I loved the costumes and the way a person's body would move and transform into a certain character. The first performance I watched was "Swan Lake" when I was around 8 years old, and I was entranced by the arm movements, how that instantly turned someone into a swan.

Ballet was the one dance skill I knew I had to love and had to learn. I'd go to the computer almost every day, trying to connect it to the internet through AOL, and I'd watch video after video to learn everything I could, from arm movements to leg and feet placements.

I could relate to ballet, which at the time was uncommon to see someone who's African American be in that arena. I just knew I'd make my way into a world where I could dance.

'Danced my way in'

Dance was my way into NFL cheerleading. I remember telling my mom, "I'm doing this thing you never heard of." And she said, "If it happens, it happens. And if it doesn't, at least you know who you're dealing with."

I held my head high, and literally danced my way in.

I got into the NFL, and I realized what a beautiful opportunity it was. You sometimes never know who you can impact until you break down the wall.

I had started transitioning in college during my sophomore year. I always knew I was special. I knew there was a young girl inside of me. I just didn't know who to go to or what resources I had. I didn't have a big sister who was also trans to look up to, someone who could help me navigate that.

Being part of a major platform like the NFL, I realized I was able to open up a lot of people's minds to other possibilities. Inclusion of trans-athletes in sports is important because, in this world we live in today, we meet so many different, beautiful beings. Every person is made differently. If you shut one person out, you're shutting out a new opportunity, a new idea. So it's very important to be open-minded to the possibilities.

'I'm making a change one way or another'

I did face negative comments from trolls who were trying to make me feel bad about myself. At first it was very hurtful, because I'm just minding my own business. I even considered deleting my Instagram at one point — I mean, I'm just doing what I love to do, and I'm going out here, not even focusing on the fact that I'm trans. 

But I told myself, "Hey, listen, I'm making a change one way or another," and I just shut it out. Anytime you're doing something great or positive, someone's always going to come behind and try to steal your joy. So I just have to continue to do what I love to do.

Now, I've finished my first full NFL season. It was so much fun: It's a journey you'll never forget, that feeling you feel every time you hit the field. I'm very appreciative of the organization for taking a leap of faith on me, and for seeing me as a person. They've set the foundation for other organizations, because you never know who's gonna walk in through the audition doors.

In the midst of the growing wave of anti-trans legislation in America, I'm not too worried. I feel like we have strong senators and political champions who want to make change.

I want to become a beacon of hope for the trans and broader LGBTQ community. I want to continue to change the narrative, to help people open up their minds and to look at us for what we're bringing to the table. To let them know that as a trans woman, I am here.