|
Homophobia In East LA
"I felt frustrated to see my own mother become part of a cycle hating and thinking that those who are different aren’t moral. "
By Hector Flores
Listen
to this Commentary!
How do we deal with homophobia in our own communities and in our own families? Youth Radio’s Hector Flores has grappled with this question. He shares his views on growing up queer in East Los Angeles, and why he’s proud to be gay and from this community- even when that community doesn’t always support him.
We standing at the corner of Atlantic and Whittier blvd in the city of east la where I was once bashed. What happened to me was that a group of guys pulled over and they threw bottles and food and I felt really embarrassed and really scared here in my own neighborhood.
I believe it happens a lot in our neighborhood because people are not educated about issues like homosexuality. And they tend to attack a lot of queer people here because they are simply ignorant to issues like that.
Looking back at this experience, I can now say that it has made me strong and given me the confidence to support other queer youth of color in my community. Queer people go through a lot, because we are expected to meet the preconceived gender roles. I want to recreate the whole masculine and feminine roles because we’re all sometimes both- masculine and feminine unique individuals.
I got picked on for being femme growing up. When I walk down that street, I felt very comfortable with myself. I find it interesting how other men react. I guess I saw first hand what happens to others who don’t fit the norm.
I told my mother what happened to me on the street and she said, “la gente que es asi no merecen respeto porque el estilo de vida que llevan no es decente y normal.” “Gay people don’t deserve respect because their lifestyle is not decent and normal.”
What is normal? I feel normal, and I know that I’m okay. I didn’t know that “normal” was to oppress others who are different. I felt frustrated to see my own mother become part of a cycle hating and thinking that those who are different aren’t moral. She grew up in a conservative Mexican family where being gay wasn’t heard of. Her comment hurt because it was the last thing I expected her to say when I needed her support. This is typical for people of color who immigrate to this country.
A few years have passed since then. Even though she has not fully embraced my queerness, she can ask me who I’m dating or how my life is going. We’re still trying to create something different from our homeland and our old ideals.
I would tell East LA queers our there to keep your ideals strong and your mentality strong. And to start something like be a part of a group that’s supportive and safe for you out there. And try to make a positive impact in your community to make the homophobia stop.
|
|
