Today marks the last day of Pride Week here in Boston. This season’s theme, “Looking Back, Loving Forward,” recognized the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots, during which patrons at Greenwich Village gay bar infamously resisted police, and celebrated the subsequent landmark victory in the spring of 2004 in which Massachusetts became the first state in the nation’s history to legalize same-sex marriage, a historic milestone for the LGBTQ community.
Many of Boston’s corporate and community organizations, including the YMCA of Greater Boston, came together on Saturday for Boston’s Pride Parade, the city’s largest annual celebration to promote visibility and acceptance of the LGBTQ community. I recently sat down with Carlos Fuentes, Teen Program Director at the East Boston YMCA, to learn more about how the nonprofit has truly adopted the social mission of Pride Week as its own year-round – a model for other nonprofits and conscious companies.
AE: Tell me about the LGBTQ community at the YMCA of Greater Boston.
CF: I can only speak to the East Boston YMCA. But, I know as an association the volume of our staff members who identify as LGBTQ has increased immensely during my seven year tenure, from the Operations Director to full-time and part time staffers. And, they show their pride well as the Y has created a space for them to be themselves and feel welcomed. We have same-sex couples in our programs, such as swim, camp and after school. LGBTQ teens are increasing within our programs as well and at such a tough age it is our job to ensure we provide a safe and welcoming environment where they can be and express themselves as they grow.
AE: How did the YMCA of Greater Boston participate in Pride Week festivities this year?
CF: We marched in the parade this year. We started this tradition about three years ago. And, each year our participation grows with full- and part-time staff members, senior vice presidents, volunteers and families.
AE: As co-chair for the Y’s LGBTQ Employee Resource Group, what do you do to ensure that Y members, families, staff and youth that identify as part of the LGBTQ community feel welcomed and are represented within the organization?
CF: We offer opportunities for individuals who identify as LGBTQ to share their stories and feel heard. Pride Parade was a big move for the YMCA of Greater Boston this year. It was the first time we put ourselves out there and told our community that the Y is there for them. Last year, we hosted a “Coming Out Together” panel discussion event for allies of the LGBTQ community to ask questions and share stories to educate and raise awareness for the different oppressions we face as individuals and a community. For our staff, we ensure that they understand they have mentors within the Y. We want our colleagues to know that they can come to us with any issues they are facing in or outside of our walls.
AE: What year-round programs and services does the YMCA of Greater Boston offer its LGBTQ members?
CF: In addition to the Pride Parade and Coming Out Together, LGTBQ members have access to all of our programs, such as swim and group exercise classes, just like anyone else. And, we are working to provide even more.
AE: You are the first openly gay member of your family. Was it hard for you to come out? Did your family support you?
CF: It was very hard to come out, especially in the Latino culture in which being gay is often looked down upon. My brothers and cousins were very accepting and loving. It took my parents more time. We really do not talk about it much, but they have accepted it.
AE: Why is it important for more organizations to adopt the social mission of Pride Week as the Y has from both a member and employer standpoint? What does having this support for yourself mean to you?
CF: Our LGBTQ population is growing at the Y. Not just as an employee but as part of the community, I know how important it is to walk into a place and feel safe. When I sense that I do not belong, it is not a good feeling. That is not what the Y is about. As an organization, we have made a commitment to inclusion. We understand and recognize that our communities are very diverse and it is our job to put people first and to strengthen communities. Together, we work to ensure that everyone, regardless of ability, age, gender, gender identity, income, race or sexual orientation, has the opportunity to reach their full potential. Other organizations should feel pride in showcasing their diversity and ensuring that everyone has the resources to be successful and feel as though they are being validated and valued. For me, this support is everything because at times you can feel as though you are going through this journey alone. It is important to have a group of colleagues who I can open up to when I need it. I strongly believe that ‘you can’t be what you don’t see.’ Not being able to move up in the Y as a gay Latino and not being true to myself is a disservice to the community I serve because to them it almost shows that being gay or Latino will get you nowhere.
Carlos, you are amazing. Thank you for all that you do!
