Pride 2020 - Featured Stories: 2020 Vincent R. Johnson Models of Hope

PRIDE & Equality celebrates another year of Models of Hope. The Vincent R. Johnson Models of Hope Award honors individuals and organizations making a difference, being seen as role models in the community. This award has created a roster of quality honorees over the past 13 years and we are honored to have this year’s nominees join the lineup.

COMMUNITY HONOREE
RYAN PERRIGO
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How did you become involved with the LGBTQ community?
I came out in El Paso, Texas. I started going to bars and forming a group of friends to hang out with. While I was attending NMSU, there was a small group of us, but we all connected through the University Student Group. I later moved here to Albuquerque with a group of queer people. There were five of us in the house and involved with New Mexico AIDS Services and a few other queer groups. I found my home in the clubs. I ended up working in a clothing store that participated in HIV fundraising, Creme De La Do. I also worked at Pulse Nightclub -  first dancing in drag, then working as a door girl. I then involved myself in everything the owners had in the works. I was trained by Scott Gardner and Pat Armijo to help in the runnings of their restaurants. This pulled me closer to "their world." I suffered from addiction, as many of my sisters and brothers did in the community. I got sober and continued to work on myself and school. Scott pushed me to do well, along with my friend, Vince. I finished school and started a business while still working for Pulse. I saw lots of my friends going down the same path I had. So I've tried to always give back however I could. First, slowly through starting small fundraising, then working with The United Court of the Sandias, Bunnie Cruse, and others. I then worked with Adrian, Zane, and the board at TGRCNM. I am still on the board and continue my work with the Trans community because not only are these my sisters and brothers, but I was once on the verge of homelessness and addiction. I am also non-binary. I'll do anything for my community as it has supported me through these years.

What was life like when you were a youth?
Growing up in Las Cruces was not easy. In the third grade, my family and I moved to Colorado and lived in a one-bedroom inside my grandparent's house.  I always knew I wasn't like other kids. I wasn't a boy. I wasn't a girl. As I got older, attending school was difficult. I got bullied a lot - physically from jocks and boys calling me horrible names, pushed into lockers. I even had kids throw rocks at me while trying to walk home. A group of kids chased me with a knife at a party chanting, Kill the Faggot. Counselors told me that since I dressed weird, this is why this keeps happening.  I decided to leave New Mexico and move in with family and friends in Denver to finish school. There I realized I wasn't alone. My school had a GSA even in 1993!

What piece of advice would you give today LGBTQ youth?
I want all LGBTQ+ kids to know that even when life is hard, you can make it. Not only can you make it, but you are also worth it. Even if it feels like nobody loves you, remember, I love you!

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COMMUNITY HONOREE
NIC SEDILLO
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How did you become involved with the LGBTQ community?
I think my first involvement was in 1996. I attended my first Albuquerque Pride Parade. I had been invited by some friends to help decorate the U21 float. I had no idea what we were doing, but I met some amazing people, some of them I still know. After that, I wanted to stay involved and became an officer with the LGBT Student group at UNM, a volunteer and board member with Albuquerque Pride, and TGRCNM, and continue to be involved in giving back to the LGBTQ+ community, whenever I can!

What was life like when you were a youth?
This is a challenging question. I am very fortunate to have had and continue to have a loving and supportive family. Although there were times I struggled to find myself, I had family and friends who have been consistent. I saw many friends struggle who had less support than I did, and I think that also pushed me to be involved and give back to others who could use the help.

What piece of advice would you give today LGBTQ youth?
I would say always be true to who you are, don’t let anyone try to change you. Seek supports when you need it, and when you can, be a support to other people!

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COMMUNITY HONOREE
TERRA FOX
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How did you become involved with the LGBTQ community?
I first became involved with the LGBTQ community through music. Growing up in Chicago, I looked up to my friend, Marc, who played in several bands and ran his own record label. I found out he was gay and it changed everything for me. I never knew LGBTQ people could have their own homes, businesses, and large groups of friends. I started going to "Queercore" punk shows and playing in my own bands. I didn't really get to know the more mainstream LGBTQ community until moving to Albuquerque and getting involved with MPower and TGRCNM.

What was life like when you were a youth?
When I was a youth, I had a very difficult experience. I lacked role models, both in media and in my own life, to show me who I could be. I grew up in a family that did not accept me and the world seemed to agree with them. We didn't even really have the words to describe gender and sexuality that we do now, and there was no easy way to find them or others like myself. No internet meant each LGBTQ kid was almost totally by themselves, ate least that's how it felt. There was starting to be some positive representation for gays and lesbians in media like "will and grace" and Ellen Degeneres coming out, but trans people were still widely disrespected. The only way I got to see someone like me on TV was usually as a substance-abusing or murdered sex worker on a law and order type show or a villain that is dressing up as a woman to trick people in movies or trashy daytime talk shows. It made it very hard to believe I would ever be someone special or important to anybody.

What piece of advice would you give today LGBTQ youth?
​My biggest piece of advice is to never give up. I know things can be hard, but there is always a chance that things will get better. People are looking out for you. I'm one of them! No matter how hard things get, or what mistakes you make along the way, remember that you have generations of LGBTQ people who have come before you who think you are just brilliant, wonderful, resilient, and brave. We are rooting for you! We know you are going to do incredible things. You already are! Just never give up.

http://www.myprideonline.com/models-of-hope.html

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