Hola! I’m Bianca and I’m what you call a triple threat; LATINA, QUEER, and A WOMAN! Because of my self-proclaimed triple threat identity, I have chosen to be an activist artist. I do theatre in Los Angeles, as well as activism, I’m also Co Founder of Legalize Love an organization that empowers the oppressed through critical pedagogy.. Oh and we brought THE FIRST PRIDE TO LUBBOCK, TEXAS (the second most conservative city in America.) Well that is enough about me; let us get down to An Honest Conversation.

First and foremost, I am honored to be part of such a powerful series. An Honest Conversation, is in my opinion REVOLUTIONARY. I mean a series that’s going to tell the story of QUEER LATINOS!?!?!?! It’s definitely going to educate many, and perhaps encourage others to come out or simply accept their queer son or daughter, brother or sister.

I felt it was important to tell my story because not only would it open some minds and hearts but it could perhaps connect with someone who is struggling with their sexuality. Now, I come from a very conservative family, I mean I went to catholic school from the age of 4 up to 11 so I completely understand how religion and the Latin culture can keep someone in the closet for fear of losing their families.

I must admit I was a bit scared to do the series, however after I did I felt free. As I set out to help others, I really ended up helping myself. There are too many kids out there taking their lives and self-injuring because they feel like they are sinning and enough is enough! We all need to come together and speak up for them because if we don’t, who will, you know? In Lakesh, which is Mayan and means, you are my other self.

The reason why I bring this up is because has corny as it may seem we are all connected, and that is why I decided to be in the series, because I hope that my struggle can open hearts and perhaps prevent someone from being shunned, bullied, or perhaps even beaten. We are all each others keepers, and once we beginning practicing what is truly preached in the churches, we can start to move forward as a whole, and stop this taboo of queer being wrong. I understand that many latino families have their beliefs, but we can not allow for our beliefs to break our families or to take lives.

I want parents to remember that no matter what, their child will always be their child regardless of who they love. Homosexuality is not a choice, it is the way we are born, and if we believe that we are created, then you better believe that your Creator made you that way, and the church states that God makes no mistakes, therefore YOUR SON OR DAUGHTER WHO IS QUEER IS NOT A MISTAKE BUT A BLESSING, just like any other child. It is hard enough living in a country where the color of your skin is still not fully accepted, but it’s even harder to live in a home where you are not accepted for the way you were born. A home is supposed to be a place of love, not a place where you feel imprisoned for being you.

I guess I might seem a little redundant but I can not emphasize enough how important it is to be accepted and loved by your family, it is hard enough being queer out in the world, you should not receive hate from your own family. This subject hits close to home, because my dad doesn’t fully accept me. I mean he says he’s going to love me regardless, but the fact of the matter is he doesn’t.

He still thinks I’m going to grow out of it, and refuses to meet my girlfriend, not to mention no one from the family is to know about my choice, and lastly he refuses to talk about it. I mean who is he to judge me, he cheated on my mom and broke a marriage, however he is an out and proud republican who believes gays should not have the right to marry because it breaks the sanctity of marriage, ironic right? Parents please don’t cause that pain to your kids, what you think of them, means more to them than you may think. They need you because we live in a tough world, and if you don’t fight for them, well who will?

I know it may be hard for you, but remember (especially you moms) you gave birth to them, and when you first held them you loved them for being your child, and being queer is nothing more than being a boy or a girl, it’s who they are and it can not be changed.

Well, I would like to close by telling my brothers and sisters out there who are in doubt, afraid, or thinking about taking their lives, it does get better! I know it may not seem like it at the moment, but it does. I have hope that this world is becoming more tolerant and accepting, and by telling your story, you are part of that movement to have an open and AN HONEST CONVERSATION. Remember love, nothing else but love!