Pride: My Story
What does it mean to be part of the LGBTQIA+ community? What does it mean to grow up in the United States as a member of the LGBTQIA+ community? What does it mean to be a person of color in the LGBTQIA+ community?
Growing up, everything seemed fine. You know, I got my fair share of knee scrapes from falling off my bike; I geeked over superheroes and their inability to not save the day. Everything was fine! Everything was…normal. However, as time passed, I was beginning to realize that my future and what it held for me was not what I envisioned at all.
Being the son of conservative immigrants led me to think and perceive the world in the same manner: closed minded and not-at-all willing to listen to differing perspectives. This worked for my parents for some time; however, as I began developing my own ideas and discovering my true nature, all that changed.
Coming out as bisexual to my aforementioned conservative parents was the hardest thing I have ever done in my life. Not only was I breaking the norm, but I was also putting my parents in a difficult position – forcing them to accept a “stranger.”
It was never easy being myself after that moment; however, I learned to maneuver the treacherous water that was my household by surrounding myself with supportive, genuine people (shoutout to Esme, Jerry and Alejandro). I learned that being me was the best favor I could do for myself!
In honor of Pride Month, I would like to thank not just all members of the community for being brave enough to live their lives being authentically them, but also all allies: friends and family members that provide us with unconditional love and support.
(Here I am living my best life at California Adventure! My young self would never have dared to wear a hat like that, so it’s a good thing I’m not the same person anymore!)