How do you feel as a gay person in this community? Do you feel welcomed?
As a member of the LGBTQ+ community and as a gay man, I find the City of Reading very welcoming. I have never felt excluded from this community, as in the past from other communities in Pennsylvania.
Are there enough places for you to be you in Berks?
I think “BEING YOU” is possible no matter where you come from or your sexual preferences; as long as you do it with respect, you should always be okay. Always be PROUD of who you are, and as soon you are confident in your skin, people will accept you and love you because of who you are.
Do you think there are enough resources in this community to help the LGBTQ+ community? And why do you believe there is enough or not enough?
Resources are never enough because as soon we think we got it; something always pops up. Here in the City of Reading, we have the LGBTQ+ Center, which supports this community. If we keep organizations like this, the community can always be better. I believe in my community, and like any other community, the need is in education. But we also need to educate ourselves to be better; before we do the talk, we have to do the walk. We can never think people that are not in our circle will understand us 100%. It’s also our responsibility to inform or educate others. If someone’s action or comment on something is not the right one, we should let them know, but let’s do it kindly and patiently.
Are there enough events?
We do have enough events at the national, state, and local level. We have Reading Pride Celebration has its annual celebrations (Pride, Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDoR), and many others). Most of these events bring the community together, and most people benefit from it. The organizations provide information on their services that can help and understand people of the LGBTQ+ community.
Being Gay was not a decision for me to make. I was born this way. “That was so Lady Gaga.” Being grateful for our elders, they are the ones who paved the way with sweat and tears. With their hard work, now we stand and have recognition in the Land of the Free. As our Elders pass away, we need to teach and encourage the young generations to continue to fight for what is right.
Gammy Nieves
