In a time when LGBTQ+ people are fighting for their rights and immigrant families are being made to feel unwelcome, remembering our history is an act of resistance. LGBTQ+ History Month (Oct. 1-31) and Hispanic Heritage Month (Sept. 15 to Oct.15) remind us that our stories, struggles and strength are deeply connected.<\/p>\n
Here in San Diego, these months are an opportunity to celebrate the LGBTQ+ and Latino leaders, activists, families and communities who have shaped our city. From our neighborhoods to City Hall, their stories remind us that history is not simply something we look back on. It is something we continue to make every day through our advocacy, our culture and our commitment to a more inclusive San Diego.<\/p>\n
As a young Mexican American LGBTQ+ leader, I know what it feels like to be the only person in the room who shares my lived experiences. I do not see that as a disadvantage. I see it as my greatest strength.<\/p>\n
Being the son of Mexican immigrants and being openly LGBTQ+ has taught me that leadership is not about speaking for people. It is about making sure people are finally heard.<\/p>\n
Growing up, I rarely saw people like me in positions of leadership. It was difficult to imagine yourself at the table when no one looked like you. That is why representation matters. It tells young people that they belong, that their voices matter and that they can lead too.<\/p>\n
During Hispanic Heritage Month, I think about the sacrifices my parents and generations of Latino immigrants made to build better lives for their families. During LGBTQ+ History Month, I think about the activists who risked their safety and livelihoods simply to demand the right to live openly and with dignity.<\/p>\n
Those histories are not separate.<\/p>\n
Today, immigrant families are once again living with fear. ICE raids are terrorizing communities, separating families and creating an atmosphere where people are afraid to work, seek medical care or simply live their lives. Reports of children being used as bait in immigration enforcement operations are especially horrifying. No child should ever be placed in danger or used as a tool of enforcement.<\/p>\n
At the same time, LGBTQ+ young people are facing attacks on their rights and dignity. Federal protections for LGBTQ+ students under Title IX have been stripped away, leaving students and families questioning whether they will be federally protected from discrimination at school.<\/p>\n
These attacks may look different, but they are rooted in the same dangerous idea: that some people are less deserving of dignity, safety, opportunity or belonging than others.<\/p>\n
We cannot accept that.<\/p>\n
The LGBTQ+ movement has always been connected to the broader fight for civil rights. Latino activists, immigrant communities, women and countless others have stood together because we understand that an attack on one of us is an attack on all of us.<\/p>\n
History reminds us that progress was never inevitable. It happened because ordinary people chose courage over comfort. They organized. They advocated. They marched. They cared for one another.<\/p>\n
Many never received awards or recognition. We may never know their names. But because they showed up, people like me have opportunities they could only dream of.<\/p>\n
Locally, I am part of a number of organizations that focus on intersectional social issues, including through Casa de Luz, Democrats for Equality, Equality California and the Harvey Milk Diversity Breakfast, I have had the privilege of serving asylum seekers at our border, advocating for equality, celebrating changemakers and supporting students.<\/p>\n
These experiences have reinforced my belief that lasting progress is built through service, community and showing up for one another.<\/p>\n
Our generation has inherited unfinished work: ensuring every LGBTQ+ young person knows they are loved, making immigrant families feel welcomed rather than hunted, protecting students from discrimination and building communities where every child has the opportunity to thrive.<\/p>\n
We honor our history by remembering those who came before us. But we honor them most by continuing their work.<\/p>\n
Our histories teach us that we belong at the table.<\/p>\n
Now, it is our responsibility to make sure the door stays open for everyone who comes after us.<\/p>\n
Reyes is Mr. San Diego Pride 2026. He lives in North Park.\u00a0<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"In a time when LGBTQ+ people are fighting for their rights and immigrant families are being made to…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":502416,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[28],"tags":[964,975,74,76,75],"class_list":["post-502415","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-san-diego","tag-commentary","tag-opinion","tag-san-diego","tag-san-diego-headlines","tag-san-diego-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/502415","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=502415"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/502415\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/502416"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=502415"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=502415"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=502415"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}