LGBTQ+ community can turn to Mexican consulate, Fresno EOC for resources, help

The young man was ready to come out to his family, but was skeptical that his Mexican parents would embrace his new gender.

Thus, he had friends on alert to pick him up.

He lined up a place to stay in case he was thrown out of the house.

The planning was for naught.

“The fact that this teenager was able to come out to his parents and was actually not kicked out but accepted is absolutely beautiful,” said Emilia Reyes, CEO of the Fresno Economic Opportunity Commission, relating a story told recently by a Fresno city councilmember.

The teen, said Reyes, knew the Fresno EOC LGBTQ+ Resource Center “was there just in case his parents would kick him out.”

The center, which is staffed 24 hours a day, will be able to help more people because of a memorandum of understanding signed Thursday by the Fresno EOC and the Mexican Consulate.

“We had too many adults coming out in their life – in their 40s and 50s – and they haven’t been able to be who they really, truly are,” said Reyes during a signing ceremony at the Mexican Consulate on Spirit Day.

“Spirit Day gives us the occasion to say loud and clear, ‘STOP BULLYING AGAINST LGBTIQ+ PEOPLE,’” said Adriana González Carrillo, head consul, “and to invite you all to spread this message wherever you may go.”

Spirit Day is celebrated the third Thursday of October to give visibility to the services available to the LGBTQ+ community.

The partnership between the Mexican Consulate and the Fresno EOC is long overdue, said Reyes.

“Today, we are addressing the struggles of our Mexican national who live here in the Central Valley, who are more than likely to face a number of barriers and challenges meeting their basic needs,” said Reyes.

“The last thing they should have to worry about is being accepted for who they are.”

Reyes wants LGBTQ+ persons to know there is a place for them should they need resources, help or support.

“They may find themselves not accepted by the family and their friends and the community,” said Reyes, “and we want them to know that there’s help, that we’re here.”

People who align with the LGBTQ+ community, she said, can find a home with her group’s resource center.

“They can come for more information, to access services, find support groups, advocacy and housing needs,” said Reyes.

The new partnership, González Carrillo said, increases the consulate’s network of allies that provide services to the Mexican community.

The need is there, she said, noting that 76.1% of the LGBTQ+ community report being verbally harassed, and that 72% of students report hearing homophobic remarks from teachers and/or staff because of their gender expression.

More than half (50.3%) of students from the LGBTQ+ community, said González Carrillo, do not report bullying experiences because they doubt action will be taken. And, 29% have experienced homelessness

More than half (52%) of LGBTQ+ youth in middle or high school report being bullied in person or electronically in the past year, she said.

Annalisa Perea will become the first LGBTQ+ member of the the Fresno City Council when she takes the oath of office in January.

When she came out to her parents, she found acceptance

“I had a very welcoming household,” said Perea. “Unfortunately, not every kid has that opportunity; so the LGBTQ+ Resource Center is going to be, or it has been, just such an incredible resource for our young people.”

Perea said the Latino community “suffers at an even greater rate within our LGBTQ+ community.”

“This partnership is right on time because we have an influx of folks needing more and more every day.”