by Jessica Carreras
Oscar Alejandro
Oscar Alejandro is a tireless volunteer in the LGBT community. The 30-year-old Dearborn resident has helped out at Affirmations, Steppin' Out and is a member of Detroit Latin@z.
1) In what ways have you contributed as a volunteer for Affirmations?
I've been a proud volunteer at Affirmations since October of 2008. I started by working the front desk and have since moved on to volunteering on the Affirmations Helpline with two of the best mentors, Rachel Crandall and Dave Ferger. I'm looking to expand the Helpline work I do to include a Spanish line to serve our growing Latino LGBT community. Working closely with Tysha Rodriguez, I'm also involved in a planning committee for the Affirmations volunteers which outlines goals/objectives for new Affirmations volunteers.
2) You also do some work for Steppin' Out. Why did you decide to get involved with them?
Steppin' Out is another organization close to my heart. At the beginning of 2009, Affirmations had many patches of the AIDS quilt on display at the center and I had a chance to have look at them for the first time. There was one patch in particular that drew me in: one of young man about my age who died a few years back. It re-enforced the idea that AIDS is still a formidable force, not just in the LGBT community but outside of it as well. People my age and younger are still getting infected. For this reason, I wrap gifts, stuff envelopes, walk in the AIDS walk, donate as much of my time and money as I can to find a cure. I do this for those that are living with this disease, for those who have been claimed by AIDS…I do it for that young man on the quilt.
3) You're a member of Detroit Latin@z as well. Why is participating in the LGBT community important to you as a gay Latino?
Being an openly gay Hispanic male, I understand how difficult coming out and living an out life can be. I am very fortunate to have a very supportive and loving family. My parents are very accepting, but I know that always isn't the case for many. Many people generalize Hispanics as having this "machismo" bravado, but it's true in every culture that distinction between masculine/feminine has always been very well defined. For me, the main reason I joined was to make a difference in my own community and hopefully get more information about the many types of resources for the Hispanic LGBT population of southwest Detroit. My goal is for there to be a LGBT community center like Affirmations in the Mexicantown area; I see very few people from this area visiting the community center in Ferndale.
4) What doors has volunteering opened up for you?
In my many hours of volunteering, I have met many interesting people. While volunteering at Affirmations, I met Chris Taylor of (the) fundamentalists. His band was looking to add vocalist/keyboardist to the line-up, and I signed right up for it. Within a few months after joining, we played Motor City Pride and Milwaukee Pride, as well as several gigs around the Detroit area. Also, this summer, during the Affirmations retreat in Alpena, Chris Gerlach offered me a chance to audition for a roll in The Rocky Horror Show. I accepted the roll of Dr. Frank N Furter and the play opens Oct. 15 at Clutch Cargos.
5) Why would you recommend that others get involved in their community?
I have discovered that volunteer work isn't work at all! It's one of the most rewarding things I've done and am truly grateful for the existence of organizations such as Affirmations and Steppin' Out. Volunteering helps ground me and gives me a better sense of worth…not just my own worth, but the LGBT community, as a whole. It's a great feeling when you can say you helped make a difference in someones life.
To learn more about Detroit Latin@z, visit http://www.myspace.com/detroitlgbtlatinos_as.
