A Love Letter to my Job!

Hello friends, family, co-workers, community members, and potential community partners

Over the past two years I‘ve had some of the most amazing and life changing experiences that a simple 24 year old could have ever imagined. When I started coming to Pridelines Youth Services in 2003 I didn’t know what to expect. But when I walked through those doors 10 years ago I could never have imagined that it would change my life so drastically.

As the great Dr. Seuss once wrote people are sometimes “Just Waiting” and that’s what I was doing before I found Pridelines. I was waiting for my life to start. I was wondering who am I, and how does this person fit into the grand design of things. Who do I want to be, and who will I become.

I stand here now 10 years later as an activist, a teacher, a student, a friend, an organizer, a facilitator (no it’s not the same as a teacher), a community member, and a advocate.

I like to think that I am a product of this community; someone who has grown up queer in a community that supported me and had the chance to call many of the people I work with today not only role models, and mentors, but friends and peers.
Over the past two years I’ve been part of an amazing team of people that have challenged me to be better, and helped me up when I have fallen sometime’s quite literally. It has been an honor to be part of such a small group of people working to make the lives of young queer people better.

Working at Pridelines has taught me many things, but most important among them is the importance of giving back and making room at the table for young people in our communities and in our movement.

As I sit and reflect on the experiences I’ve had over the last 10 years, but more so over the last 2 I think I’m a little better for the wear. I’m nervous but excited to start this new phase of my life and don’t know where I would be if not for places like Pridelines Youth Services. In the coming months as I transition from a staff member to a volunteer, and continue to raise money cause contrary to popular belief keeping the lights on and the organizers fed is important I hope that I can continue to support such an important part of our community and give back what someone once gave to me.

All the best,
Gabriel

 

Today I Learned to Study and this is How I Know

     There are hundreds if not thousands of other things I could be doing right now all of which I shouldn't be doing; much like writing this post. I could be at the Seventh Annual Sunshine Stampede Rodeo having a blast with hot guys in 10 gallon hats. And for that matter I could be riding a bull and busting my ass, but I know that there will always be another rodeo and that what I am doing is of great importance.
     I guess you're wondering what I'm doing and by the title of this post I bet you can figure it out. That's right I'm looking at porn... Just kidding! Unless you count the cute boy at the gym as porn, even though I'm sure he's done some.

     I'm actually studying really hard right now. Getting an education is a serious thing. I know cause all the typo's underlined in red on this page are driving me crazy as I attempt to write. A ever constant reminder that there is always more to learn and that dictionaries are your friends.

     So now that my gym bunny has gotten off of the treadmill and away from the window I can continue to study. I'll start with an outline of objectives; things that I want to learn or review and work my way down the laundry list of things that need to be covered for my upcoming final. Then once I'm done capturing the information in a very pretty Google Doc. I'll review it over 3 or 4 times and attempt to fill my already fat head with more information than it had 3 hours ago. 

     In theory this seems like a full proof plan. I have the information, I'm reviewing it, and I no longer have any distractions since the rather unattractive gentlemen in the back of the gym has now decided to recreate the class Olivia Newton-John video Physical in the front part of the gym. 

     So that's how I learned to study. I loitered in a noisy breezeway with loud ass birds, watched a porn star run, realized I was illiterate, and watched the child of Jabba the Hut and Pee-wee Herman ruin a perfectly bad 80's song; all the while focusing on my one true goal. Finishing this outline and studying for this final which I just finished doing. 

What cause or issue do you care about most? The environment? Homelessness and poverty? Bullying? Something else?

I care about safe spaces for LGBTQ Youth. As someone who grew up with limited access to safe spaces I believe that they provide an amazing opportunity for this generation to make even greater strides then that of our parents. I used to spend my summers in Miami, FL where I used to go to Pridelines Youth Services years later I now work there making the difference I wanted to see in the world. I care about safe spaces for LGBTQ Youth were people can be themselves.

Ask me anything

What event shaped your life the most?

The single most life changing moment in my life was the day I decided to come out. I always knew the road ahead of me wouldn't be easy but I could have never imagined how much life really did get better from that point on. If not for that I might not be the man that stands here today.

Ask me anything

Hate; A feeling or an Addiction

I was once asked if I could live without one emotion what would it be. My answer was hate. Of all the feelings in all the world, I would like to think that hate is the worst. Hating something in my opinion is like caring around a suite case of bricks that only you can see. It weights heavy on the soul, clouds the mind, and obscures the truth. There is always all at once so much to be thankful for, and so much left to be done for there to be any time to hate anything in this world. 

http://hateguide.com/blog/

This weeks spotlight is dedicated to Hate Guide whose mission statement is: 

"To codify the movement against hate-dependence, expose hate-use in the public forum, and set hate-addicts on a path towards redemption." 

So in search of my own redemption I offer this my confession of hatred to the universe, and by doing so I make an agreement with myself from this day forward to live a life without hatred.

It Gets Better

According to the National Education Association it is estimated that 160,000 children miss school every day due to fear of attack or intimidation by other students. And I’m here to say that I used to be one of them. This weeks spotlight is dedicated to the It Gets Better Project. For those of you not familiar with the project it deals with the all to hard reality that young people everywhere face the daily struggles of bullying. More often then not those much younger then ourselves are left feeling like they have nowhere left to turn.

There is no group of people that this statement remains more true for then LGBT kids and teens, who often hide their sexuality for fear of bullying. Without other openly gay adults and mentors in their lives, they can't imagine what their future may hold. In many instances, gay and lesbian adolescents are taunted — even tortured — simply for being themselves.(www.itgetsbetter.org)

Bullying remains a constant struggle for children and young adults everywhere. Stand up to oppression, and stand strong for the countless people that are not only watching, but waiting to hear just how great it is when things get better.

Share your story today, and upload you very own It Gets Better video:

http://www.itgetsbetter.org/pages/video/

Make a difference today and take the pledge to make the world a better place:
http://www.itgetsbetter.org/page/s/pledge/

In the Pursuit of Hope

Far too often in life, we find ourselves stuck in a rut. We’re all caught up in bang-ups and hang ups to realize that things can always be better if we simply try to look at life as a glass half-full rather than half empty. So, in an attempt to live a life where my cup flows over, I've decided to start with Hope. Some will call it a dream, others might say it’s a fantasy, but I have Hope. They say Hope is defined as the feeling that what is wanted can be had, or that events will turn out for the best, and I hope for the best every time I step outside my house and into my community.

I am of the opinion that giving back to the community is the most valuable thing one can do. Not only putting time and effort into ones community, but building it to be everything you want it to be an more. This week I’d like to spotlight the Miami Rescue Mission located in Miami on 2250 NW 1st Avenue. Not only do they provide a little over 2,000 meals a month, but they allow us “the community” to help give back as well through an amazing initiative called Operation Hope Tote. The goal is to provide basic, personal hygiene items to thousands of needy men, women, and children in the community. Imagine not having the basic human necessities like soap or toilet paper. Please help build awareness and bring hope back into people’s lives.

What Goes Into A Hope Tote?
Toothpaste Toothbrush Soap Shampoo	Deodorant New Underwear New Socks Disposable Razors	Diapers Baby Wipes Sanitary Napkins Lotion, etc.

For more information please visit:

http://miamirescuemission.com/hopetote.htm