My submission for a request for personal stories at PrideFest (Edited)

This year it was useless to resist submitting a story for PrideFest's History Tent. They invited the public to share personal stories of oppression, resilience, perseverance, pride, etc. So, I decided to submit mine.

Here is my submission with minor edits. I present you with the remastered edition to be enjoyed as originally intended. The edits are in several organization names, a couple overlooked service items, a missing shout-out to PFLAG (how could I!), and a post-submission discovery in my extended family.

Below you will also see the story as presented over at the History Tent. Special thanks to Vince at PrideFest for this amazing and wonderful surprise!

Enjoy!

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I am a first generation Mexican-American. I am born and raised in a Catholic community service-oriented family in conservative Waukesha, WI.

I began coming out to myself in fourth grade. I fully realized my identity in sixth grade. I came out only to closest friends in middle and high school. Of course, I experienced some challenges and setbacks growing up. Star Trek plus my service-oriented upbringing contributed to my courage and confidence to be out and proud during my college years.

Once in college, I eventually took on a leadership role with the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual Community (GLBC) at UW-Milwaukee in 1996. I received an incredible amount of support from a student affairs advisor at the university. This support further encouraged me to organize community events. I eventually would take on a lead role with the Milwaukee LGBT Community Center's steering committee. In addition, I would receive an incredible amount of support and encouragement from coworkers during my INROADS/Wisconsin college internship which later turned into my full-time job.

I would continue to play a fairly active role in the community for a few years to come. This included assuming a lead role in the host committee for the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force (NGLTF) Creating Change Conference when it came to Milwaukee. I volunteered with the Human Rights League (HRL) Milwaukee's Public Officials Reception Committee. I organized joint National Coming Out Day celebrations with HRL-Milwaukee and the Milwaukee LGBT Community Center. I supported poet and fellow community activist Carmen Alicia Murguia with the Juana G Vega Resource Center. Many of those experiences I would continue to remember fondly to this day.

Yes, I do remember challenges I faced growing up. My immediate family at first did not fully accept me when I came out. Members of the church we attended spoke poorly of gay people – at times directly to my mom. Thankfully, my family’s support changed over time. I am proud to say that Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) had a role with that!

I also remember certain family members in Mexico, including my beloved grandparents, who have accepted me since a very young age. I have always been used to being one of few openly queer people in my extended family. The icing on the cake? My youngest brother, Javier is openly gay. I have been with my partner, Steve, for almost 24 years. I have a lesbian second cousin in Mexico. My immediate family, as do many in my extended family, accepts each of us. Finally, I recently learned I have queer and pansexual second cousins twice removed in Texas!!

Today, when I can, I continue to volunteer for the Milwaukee LGBT Community Center. I am also a leader in my full-time employer’s LGBT+ employee resource group, WEC PROUD. Looking back, I could not be more proud of being a queer Mexican male from conservative Waukesha!