At just 22, Kyrus/Malek (he/they), ‘The Mystic,’ has already mastered a kind of magic many never touch: the art of listening, the power of presence, the strength found in softness, an inspirational quote delivered at just the right moment.

As BAGLY’s Disabilities Meeting Facilitator and someone living with chronic illness, Kyrus leads with insight and empathy for all.

But behind the scenes, the Mystic creates in many forms, through poems, songs, images, and stories that shimmer with something a little otherworldly.

“With the support of BAGLY, I was able to find the confidence that even while living in a homophobic household–to go on testosterone, get top surgery, change my name– which was really, really hard to do.

And after all of those things, really acknowledging the changes and had come into the embodiment of like, exactly who I am, actually coming into play and coming into, making an appearance and making myself known of who I am and not really letting anybody else stop me, because they're nobodies.”