Pride Month: Meet Lalo! 🌈💛

We continue to celebrate Pride Month and especially diversity, which is why on this occasion, we highlight the work of the LGBTQ+ community on our team, because without them, nothing would be possible. We decided to speak with Lalo, a Storyteller from the Santa Fe store, who identifies as a gay man and a member of the community. He comes from the city of Valencia in Carabobo, Venezuela, and has resided in Mexico for two years. This month, he shares his experience as a migrant and a member of the community. Join us!

What has your experience been like working at Someone Somewhere as part of the LGBTQ+ community?

I can break this point into two: one is the comparison with my previous jobs, and the other is how I currently feel within Someone Somewhere. First things first. I am originally from Carabobo, and in my first job there, I felt threatened. They didn't go as far as to harass me or say negative things, but I did feel that the treatment was different in terms of camaraderie and respect. It's not that people directly tell you "get out of here," but they make it known with certain gestures or actions, and that's not cool. At Someone Somewhere, however, it has been different. I can express myself in any way I want. I consider myself a very expressive person and I always speak my mind. For example, I like this backpack, I like the color, I wish it were a different color, or the sleeve, or the hoodie. I have never felt limited to being myself. I have also not received any homophobic comments; everything has been with great respect and I think that's perfect. I have felt comfortable in that aspect.

What do you think is the importance of the LGBTQ+ community in society?

Just recently I read that Pride represents three important things: freedom, free expression, and equality. However, there are still people who don't believe it, and these homophobic incidents still occur. Fortunately, I haven't experienced it in Mexico. For now, I haven't heard negative comments directed at me, but we still need to keep fighting and affirming this type of inclusion, which is necessary for everything: for work, for social life, for family life. There are still many people who continue to be inhibited, who cannot express themselves. There is a high suicide rate among LGBTQ+ individuals. Although it has decreased compared to previous years, there are now more channels for communication. There are even organizations that care about young people who are kicked out of their homes and who contemplate suicide. That is, these tools exist and we can use them, but it is also important to spread awareness about them so they can reach more people. I haven't had to worry. I just completed two years in Mexico, since I first arrived in Quintana Roo. In Venezuela, the LGBTQ+ community is not accepted everywhere. Valencia, the capital of Carabobo, and Caracas are more relaxed, more open-minded, so to speak, but there is still much work to be done.

What challenges have you faced as a member of the community in your life?

I can also divide it into two parts. One, with myself, and two, with the whole world. With the whole world, I could mention the fear of coming out, of your family treating you differently. In my case, it wasn't serious; we're working on it, we've talked about it. They have become aware of what Pride means, what the movement is, why it's important to do it, what its significance is. And this also leads me to the point of how I've felt about myself. It has been a bit difficult for me to educate myself on what all the letters mean, what queer people are like who don't identify with any gender, who are genderfluid. In my adolescence, I inhibited myself from many things, such as dressing as a man, and then I realized, as an adult, that clothes have no gender, that you can be yourself, that it's okay, that it's okay to be different, to be yourself in your sexual orientation and the way you express yourself, your tone of voice. It took me a long time and therapy to stop hating myself, but in the end, I made peace with myself and, in turn, with the people around me. It's an important decision to know whether you want to hide or be honest. Everyone takes it at their own pace because, depending on that, other things can happen later: depression, anxiety, stress. I told myself, "I want to free myself from all this, and we're going to face things as adults." I told my family, "You know what? This is how it is!" Some already expected it, others didn't, others distanced themselves, and I explained more or less what happens, that I'm still the same person. I still like Pokémon, video games, music, nothing has changed. It's been a bit arduous, but we're still working on it.

How do you think the community can be helped to have better visibility and also better equal treatment, rights, etc.? What do you think is missing?

I believe that, beyond spreading awareness and providing all these channels that can help with work issues, mental health, we should start in schools, explaining to people from a young age "you know what, this is how things are, this is how it happens, if you have a problem you can go to this organization." I am not very informed if the government already has some. I believe Conapred is one. But it should be taught in schools, the whole picture, not only sexual orientation, but also sexual education. I was not taught any of this in high school; I learned it on my own when I started living as an adult. But of course, I understand that it doesn't happen the same way for all people in the collective, that's the big detail.

Anything motivational you'd like to add for the people who will read you?

To my past self, I would say that everything will be okay, don't worry, we will always find a solution to problems, whether with yourself or with the world around you. But you need to be okay first to be okay with others. That's what's important. It's okay to seek help, it's valid, it's very valid to speak up, to communicate. I feel that as humans, it helps us a lot.

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Many thanks to Lalo for sharing a bit of his story and opening up in this small space. Remember that you can visit our physical stores where Lalo and other colleagues will be there to help you with whatever you need. We share our support for the LGBTQ+ community, believing in equity and equality for all human beings. At Someone Somewhere, we want everyone to feel included in our spaces, and we strive to keep it that way. 💖🌈

Are you already part of Everyone Collection? What are you waiting for? You still have time to get your perfect pride outfit for this month of celebration. An Everyone Tote Bag would complete it perfectly, or how about an Everyone Essential Case? Check out our entire collection here and remember that #LoveisLove. ❤️🧡💛💚💙💜