- Luke India Ramo overcame hurdles in majorettes due to gender barriers, becoming an adjudicator and coach despite earlier restrictions.
- Now coaching both junior and senior girls’ teams, Ramos aspires to launch a boys’ team and competes as an athlete.
- He wants to inspire others in the LGBTQI+ community with passion and resilience
In a world where barriers often seem insurmountable, Luke India Ramos stands as a testament to perseverance, passion, and the unyielding pursuit of dreams.
Affiliated with the Western Province Majorettes and Cheerleading Association (WPMCA), Ramos aims to break stereotypes and create new opportunities within the world of majorettes and cheerleading.
Ramos’ journey began in childhood, inspired by a close family connection. “My cousin did majorettes in primary school, and because we lived and commuted together, I would always stay with her after practice,” Ramos recalls.
Ramos however faced a significant hurdle: boys were not allowed to participate as athletes in majorettes at that time. “Boys couldn’t participate back then, so this was the only way for me to continue in the sport, besides being a spectator,” says Ramos who today identifies as transgender.
Determination
This would however not break Ramos’ determination to find ways to remain involved, becoming an adjudicator and, more recently, a coach.
Now 26, Ramos reflects on these early challenges with a sense of pride.
Ramos began adjudicating and, in the past year, took a significant step forward by starting to coach.
Last year, Ramos adopted a junior team from another coach and quickly set their sights on expanding the sport’s inclusivity. “Towards the end of the year, I wanted to start a senior boys’ team, but there wasn’t any interest, so I’ve parked that venture for now,” Ramos explains.
‘Passion did not wane’
Despite this setback, Ramos’ passion did not wane. Ramos now manages and coaches both a junior and a senior girls’ team, with hopes of one day launching a boys’ team as an extension of the senior girls’ team.
@lukeindiaramos my childhood dream come true yesterday – i stepped onto the field as an athlete for my favourite sport ???????? #drummies #drummajorettes #majorettes #drummajor #major #majorettesport #majorettesunite #wpmca #samca #fyp ? original sound – luke india ramos ??
In addition to coaching, Ramos is also realising a long-held dream of competing as an athlete. “I joined a tertiary team and am currently doing solos in the boys’ division. While I haven’t started my boys’ team, I am living my childhood dream as an athlete, with the hope to inspire other ‘little Lukes’.” The tertiary majorettes club, which Ramos joined, was created for athletes who finished school but still wanted to remain active in the sport. The team comprises members who are studying or working and includes coaches of their teams. The youngest member is 19, and the oldest will be 27 this year.
LGBTQI+ community
Ramos’s story is one of unwavering determination and a deep love for majorettes and cheerleading. It is a story that resonates with many, especially within the LGBTQI+ community, showcasing that with passion and perseverance, obstacles can be overcome, and dreams can indeed be realised. Through coaching, adjudicating, and competing, Ramos is not just breaking barriers, but building bridges for future generations to follow, embodying the spirit of resilience and the joy of living one’s truth unapologetically.
