Everyone loves Pride: the affinity, the creativity, the strut!
Remember your first Pride? It meant even more than the parade itself: it signaled belonging, security, and identity. Whether you were the kid who fled a small town in Ohio, the boy recovering from his first crush and break up, or the guy starting his next chapter by coming out at last, the rainbow confetti of vests, pool noodles, hats, and speedos showed you that there’s a world where you don’t have to hide.
Last month, Stonewall Pride offered that same breathless hope to so many of South Florida’s newest residents. Whether they flew here from nearby Puerto Rico, fled the narco gangs in El Salvador, or put their dreams in a suitcase to make their way from Brazil, gay Latinos often arrive with their heads down, checking out the rules and norms.
Thousands find support and community at the local non-profit, Latinos Salud. (In fact, the agency’s tagline is “Pride, Community, Support.) They’re amazed to find out they can talk openly about their sexual identity with a test counselor, PrEP specialist or healthcare provider, because nearly all of the staff at Latinos Salud are gay Latinos themselves.
As nearly 100 Latinos Salud members danced, laughed and sashayed their way down Wilton Drive during Stonewall Pride, they gave out condoms and flyers about how to get on PrEP or into HIV care; they also both modeled the freedom they now feel, and spread the word to others about all of the agency’s amazing, free services – all to build a healthier South Florida location.
Latinos Salud: celebrating Pride, and offering support to the community, 6 days a week. Check out any of their four locations by scanning the QR code here.
Content Courtesy of OutClique Staff writer
