Get to know our people and you’ll know what UMKC is all about.
Justice Horn ’21
Hometown: Blue Springs, Missouri
High school: Blue Springs High School
Degree program: Business Administration
Justice Horn went from being a transfer student to UMKC Student Government Association’s first black and openly gay president in one semester. A former college athlete, whose coming out received national attention, he has shifted his focus and determination to serving the UMKC and Kansas City communities.
You started college at Northern State University in South Dakota as a wrestler and transferred to UMKC after your first year. How was the transition, and how was being a transfer student different than your experience as a freshman?
I don’t feel as if I was treated differently when I came to UMKC even though I didn’t start as a freshman. I’m living proof that new people — black, white, Christian, Muslim — all over campus are accepted. I think that that is something that really makes us different from other schools. That’s why I’m happy to represent the university. There are so many examples of inclusion across campus.
Are you a first-generation college student?
I am not a first-generation college student, but my mother is. She returned to college at UMKC to finish her undergrad degree when I was in elementary school. I remember playing on the campus green with my dad and siblings while waiting for her to get out of class.Your mother was the sole financial support for your family because of your father’s seizure disorder. How did growing up with the uncertainty of his health affect you?
It was a really interesting environment. There was always some anxiety – you never knew what would happen next, or if this seizure would be the last one. But it gave me a constant feeling of understanding that you never know what people are going through. It made me aware of the need to always be kind.
“I’m living proof that new people — black, white, Christian, Muslim — all over campus are accepted. I think that that is something that really makes us different from other schools.”
Why did you choose UMKC?
I chose UMKC for a couple of reasons. I had a life-changing experience that made me revaluate what would truly make me happy and I realized that I need to serve others. Last fall, I lost my friend and teammate, Curtis LeMair. This changed my life and pushed me to reevaluate what I was doing. I woke up one day and thought, “is being involved in wrestling really giving back to the world? Is that what I want to be remembered for?” That led me to UMKC.
Do you miss wrestling?
I do miss wrestling and I've been grappling with that for a couple of weeks. I miss the camaraderie of my teammates and my coaches, especially because they really gave me the faith and the strength to come out.
You’ve said that you were inspired by Michael Sam, who played at the University of Missouri and was the first openly gay NFL player, when you were considering coming out. While it’s impressive to be so open in such traditionally male, heterosexual environments, do you ever wish that someday sexual orientation won’t be of note?
I have been the first at a lot of things, but I’m aware of the shoulders I stand on and how my actions affect the people who come after me. That’s why I do it. I wonder when we will get to a day that it’s not a big deal, but that only happens when someone is first. We don’t talk about who the first woman student body president was here because it happened. It was a big deal! But now it’s the norm. We have to move through these firsts and it does take time.
How does being back in Kansas City feel?
It feels great, but also like a responsibility. I feel as if I need to set an example. I don’t want to compare myself to President Obama, but a lot of people have stereotypes about what a gay, lesbian or transgender person is like. It’s almost like being an ambassador for my community to break those old stigmas. That goes for me being in the LBGT community, but also being a person of color.
“I have been the first at a lot of things, but I’m aware of the shoulders I stand on and how my actions affect the people who come after me. That’s why I do it.”
Scrolling through your Twitter and Instagram feeds it almost looks as if you were embedded in the Kansas City mayoral election. Rather than aligning with one candidate you were able to interact with several of the candidates. Was that intentional?
Yes. During the election I knew that I wanted to run for student body president. There were people who wanted me to make an endorsement, but the city will be looking at transportation – including the new street car extensions – and housing around campus. I like getting involved, but I took a back seat and watched so that I would be better prepared in this role no matter who our next mayor was.
Do you see UMKC playing a role in the growth of the city?
It seems like everyone is buying in at the same time. We have a new mayor and a new chancellor. We have a new athletic director, head basketball coach and Roo. The provost is launching her new student success plan. The best thing we can do is support each other and just – I’m not saying do nothing – but ride the wave.