February 23, 2025 | Noelle Matthias

Aaleh Hughes: don't be scared to be yourself

As a performing artist, showrunner, and emerging leader, Aaleh is inspiring and uplifting Wisconsin's next generation.

Aaleh Hughes

"Dance is where I truly found myself."

Born in Rockford, Illinois, Aaleh began bringing big body confidence to the Milwaukee area in 2019.

She is a beloved show director at local venue This Is It and a staunch advocate for the community, serving as First Lady of the Milwaukee Chapter House of Alain Mikli. Aaleh is inspired by and involved in ballroom culture in Milwaukee and beyond.

Recently, Aaleh was honored with the "Emerging Leader Award" at the Black Pride Milwaukee Winter Lights Gala.

Aaleh found her big girl confidence in competitive dance teams.

She joined the dance community when she was four years old. She has performed in Las Vegas, St. Louis, Dallas, and Miami but is proud to call the Milwaukee community her home.

She cites the energy and passion in the dance community as a liberating outlet for physical and artistic expression.

When asked about the impact of her performances, both on herself and others, Ms. Hughes described the electrifying feeling of inspiring a crowd with impressive stunts as a plus-sized woman. Being a live performer means being a constant representation of what big girl confidence can and should look like on stage.

For Aaleh, dance is a way to release emotion and share a story physically.

"Dance is where I truly found myself," she said.

She is excited to convert any fears being held by the community right now into momentum that can create positive change.

Overcoming adversity

Offstage, Aaleh spends her time working with local organizers to organize youth programs at The Milwaukee LGBT Community Center.

She says current conversations within the community have been exciting and invigorating as new events are planned to embrace diversity and forge strong bonds.

Taking time to connect with youth through education has shown Aaleh the importance of community building.

Her goal is to create spaces that highlight the importance of bridging divides and celebrating expression. She is expanding the social and event venue offerings to encompass a diverse array of interests and attendees, with an emphasis on trans inclusivity.

Youth outreach in the LGBTQ community is critical right now, as elders and icons seek to spread a strong message of inclusivity to queer youth.

In late 2024, Aaleh received backlash for an outreach event at a Wauwatosa Middle School, as bigoted voices overtook the conversation. She refused to cancel the event, sending a strong message to the faculty and students that trans experiences will not be excluded in our community.

When asked to set the story straight, Aaleh affirmed the importance of promoting the types of artistry and creativity that uplift LGBTQ youth.

At this school and many others, support from the Gay Straight Alliance (GSA) is a critical form of solidarity.

The principal and local GSA affirmed their goal to build understanding and tolerance with programs that welcome local guest speakers, promote the arts, and unify the school community.

Aaleh Hughes

Considering her background in dance and educational environments, Aaleh understands first-hand the importance of events and alliances in uplifting the brilliant LGBTQ youth of tomorrow.

Aaleh urges individuals to think beyond what they see on TV about the LGBTQ community. She urges everyone to get involved in the community to get an understanding of the rich mosaic of queer experiences being lived.

After giving recognition to greats like RuPaul and rising stars like Chappell Roan, Aaleh reminds everyone to be confident and stand tall for a community that has always been so loving and supporting.

"Don't be scared to be yourself"

Aaleh's message to changemakers is to never be scared to be yourself. She recalls coming out not once, but twice and navigating transition in her late teens.

As a freshman came out as gay and was uplifted and supported by the LGBTQ community of Milwaukee.

This helped her embrace her trans identity, beginning her transition at 19.

When asked to comment on her experience as an LGBTQ person in the Midwest., Aaleh was very clear that “Milwaukee is a community that shows up for each other."

She feels Milwaukee does an outstanding job breaking barriers with art and performance.

"Big names have and will continue to grow in America’s heartland."

Finding a community that amplifies her expression and supports her passions made all the difference for Aaleh Hughes. She recognizes that current cultural and political realities can impart a sense of “fear felt by the community."

Now more than ever, the happy memories sparked through LGBTQ youth outreach events can combat this fear and uplift the community.

Above all else. Aaleh's message of vibrant and unrelenting confidence in her black and LGBTQ identity is an important reminder to be seen.