The Badge of Activism
By Carlos, Peer Educator and State
Organizer
Hello, my
name is Carlos. I wrestle for my high school. I'm a 16-year-old
sophomore and I'm gay. I've always been active in sports. It's tough,
being
around homophobic people, and not having the opportunity
to come out. I don't plan on pursuing a wrestling career, though; I
want
to become a movie director and work on my activism that
way. I like to break down stereotypes.
I'm also Hispanic and very proud of my heritage. I come from a strong Hispanic
and military background. My father is a Marine, and my mother, a strong Mexican
woman. Both influenced me to take a stand for what I believe in, and both support
me in my fight for tolerance and equality for all. I thank them for influencing
me in advocacy work.
I remember one night I was looking at different Web sites for groups such as
the National Youth Advocacy
Coalition (NYAC), the Gay
Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN), and Parents,
Friends and Families of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG), searching for resources
on how to come out. I was also looking for activism in my community, especially
for GLBTQ (Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender, and Questioning) youth. Each
of these advocacy organizations provided me with some great information about
activism. Then, I bumped into YouthResource,
a Web site created by and for GLBTQ youth. It was a great Web site and very
helpful. It dealt with issues from religion to coming out; I was amazed. While
viewing YouthResource, I saw that there were open positions as online peer
educators. I wanted to participate so badly, but knew I had to come out to
my parents first.
First, I came out to my mom when I moved back in with her. She didn't care.
I was still her angel. Then, I came out to my dad and it was tough. My father,
a hardcore Marine, was at first very upset. But I let him know that nothing
would change and that I am still the same person. Everything is fine now. Nothing
has changed, except for us being more honest with each other. The experience
showed my dad that I was not weak, that I knew what I was talking about.
Currently, I'm an online peer educator for YouthResource. I've
been given the chance to help youth and, through working with them,
have gotten involved with
Advocates for Youth. Recently, Advocates started an event called My
Voice Counts, which promotes comprehensive approaches to sex education
and opposes public funding for unproven abstinence-only-until-marriage programs.
I decided to get involved, and now I'm a state organizer for Southern California.
My advocacy work has given me great contacts and job opportunities around my
area.
Being an advocate is not an easy task. It demands much time and effort to make
something happen. I'm not trying to be an advocate to make a name for myself,
but to fight for what I believe is right: equality and peace. Two of the things
we most need, but also two of the hardest to obtain.
I hope one day the world will be tolerant towards people of different backgrounds
and there will be an end to racism, homophobia, sexism, and bigotry of any
kind. I don't believe I can change everyone's mind. But, if I can reach one
person and know that his or her life has benefited from my help, then I won't
wear this badge of activism in vain.
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