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“Living y Ready” means being ready for all the changes, experiences and challenges that come with life after seroconversion.
In this new short form series produced under LatiNation’s Queer pillar, we’re reframing the narrative around HIV through informative segments, candid conversations and queer expression.
Meets our guests
Alfredo Trejo is a queer scholar and artist, born and raised in Los Ángeles, with roots in El Salvador and México. He is currently a Ph.D. Candidate in Political Science at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). Alfredo has been thriving with HIV for over a decade, sharing his story and advocating for the rights of people living with HIV. He has worked with organizations like Positive Women’s Network-US and HIV Justice World Wide. Additionally, Alfredo and his friends have helped raise nearly $500,000 for HIV treatment and prevention in Los Ángeles by participating in AIDS/LifeCycle, a 7-day, 545-mile bike ride from San Francisco to Los Ángeles. Alfredo is an award winning filmmaker, and his debut film, Pedaling with Purpose, has been screened up and down California, at New York’s LGBT Community Center, and across the country thanks to the City University of New York (CUNY) and their CUNY TV Presents Series. He is also a Lambda Literary Emerging LGBTQ Voice Fellow, and is an alumnus of Tin House and Write It Out!
In his own words, Daniel G. Garza is the original Tex-Mex. His mother is Mexican, his father is Texan, and he is “as cheesy as the food”. As early as eight-years-old, Garza showed signs of being different from other kids in his Dallas elementary school. He was multicultural, creative, and—eventually—openly gay. A divide went up between him and his father as a result, so he sought that paternal validation elsewhere: from teachers, coaches, and—later—lovers. In 2000, he was serving tables in Houston, he weighed 110 pounds, and he thought he was hot. Little did he know, when he nearly collapsed at home one night, that he was dying of AIDS. Despite the initial familial shame, he almost instantly made a career out of living with HIV. For over two decades, Garza has traveled across the country educating, advocating, and running campaigns for the many HIV communities. Now 53-years-old, he lives in Laguna Beach, California, and has recently celebrated 12 years with his partner, Christian.
Back in Guadalajara, México, Fabian Quezada came out young. His mother, unwilling to accept her son’s gay identity, sent him to the seminary, where he was saturated in judgment and shame. So he ran away, not even 17-years-old. At a continuation high school in Long Beach, not long after crossing the United States border solo, Quezada was diagnosed with AIDS. Feeling helpless and without proper resources, he underwent homelessness and drug addictions. But his resilience proved stronger than these hardships. He got on medication, got sober, found purpose, and even became an American citizen. Today, after living with HIV for 23 years, Quezada is a successful Los Angeles hairdresser whose picturesque apartment overlooks the Hollywood Hills. His routine includes waking up early, walking his dogs, drinking his coffee, exercising, and full days in Beverly Hills working in a career he loves deeply.
For Felix Perez, being diagnosed with HIV was one of the best things that ever happened to him. The youngest of five siblings, he grew up in a relatively impoverished neighborhood in Houston where heteronormativity and Mexican machismo was expected. Fortunately for Perez, a sporty kid, traditional masculinity came naturally, even after being outed as gay his freshman year of high school. Long before he was diagnosed, he was well-educated about HIV. In his youth, his uncle contracted AIDS and his mother went to care for him. Out of school, he spent eight years working in HIV healthcare. But after his own diagnosis in 2011, he discovered that living with HIV was personal, emotional, and psychologically-challenging. Perez has not only overcome these obstacles, but made them his superpowers. Living with HIV has made him healthier, more open, and profoundly diligent when it comes to his goals and dreams. He’s currently going back to school to be a nurse practitioner and has recently moved in with his boyfriend in Downtown Los Angeles.
For Los Angeles native Ryan Wooten, having a positive mentality is the ultimate way to overcome obstacles. In his youth, he struggled to find his identity as a Black, Mexican gay man. As a young adult, when he was diagnosed HIV-positive, he struggled to find a viable path forward. In time, his status gave him the confidence to step up and advocate for his community, to help others find joy against even the hardest of circumstances. For Wooten, when life gets challenging, sometimes the first step is eating some ice cream. Just like anyone else, he hopes to start a family one day and continue living a healthy life grounded in self-love; all he has to do is take one pill each day. Wooten is the co-president of Impulse Los Angeles and a district manager for a coffee shop.
Jose Magaña was brought to California from Veracruz, México, when he was two-year-old. Growing up in East LA in a conservative household, he came into his pansexual identity in secret. That shame stopped him from being open about himself—from taking proper precautions to protect himself, too. The hardest part about being diagnosed HIV-positive was the rejection he faced from lovers who were uncomfortable and uneducated about the disease. This led him to therapy, where, for the first time, he discovered tools for embracing self-love. Today, his two kids bring him the most joy. As a parent, he encourages them to express themselves openly, honestly, and always, in ways he never could growing up. Next year, he will celebrate twenty years working for the US military.
Ongina was one of the original nine contestants for the first season of RuPaul’s Drag Race (also known as The Lost Season), as well as RuPaul’s Drag Race Allstars Season 5. She also made five appearances in the first and second season of RuPaul’s Drag U. Ongina broke several barriers for the franchise – from being a bald queen, the first AAPI contestant on the show, and one of the first reality TV stars to come out as HIV-positive on screen. Since coming out as HIV-positive she has used her platform to advocate for awareness for HIV testing and prevention, trans rights, and LGBTQ+ equality. She was the host for the online web show HIV and Me, a talk show featuring interviews with different individuals on how they live with HIV/AIDS. Ongina also was a spokesperson for OraQuick, one of the first at-home HIV testing kits, and amfAR’s online video series, Epic Voices – Countdown to the Cure Campaign which aims to reenergize the response to HIV among Millennial and LGBTQ+ communities. The campaign also aims to renew awareness of the persistent threat of HIV, the urgent need to support HIV research and amFAR’s leadership in the search for a cure. In 2021, Ongina was the host of The Walk Show for the Los Angeles AIDS Walk, and was featured in an accompanied televised special, Localish LA AIDS Walk Special.
Born and raised in Philadelphia, Louie Ortiz-fonseca (he/they) is a queer creative and storyteller living with HIV. louie is the creator of Gran Varones, a digital project that highlights LGBTQ pop culture history and community storytelling through a Black Latinx lens. louie also Director of LGBTQ Health & Rights at Advocates for Youth where works in partnership with young people living with HIV to combat stigma, and hosts a YouTube series for LGBTQ youth, Kikis with Louie. louie is a parent with a 20-year-old son. Lastly, louie worships the Patron St. Mariah Carey.
Jorge-Armando Diaz, a mental health clinician, activist, and leader. He received his master’s degree in Social Work at UCLA. Currently he is the Program Manager of the Nosotros VIHviendo programming at Equality California and a Patient Ambassador for SNOW Companies where he travels throughout the United States sharing his journey and lessons learned as a person living with HIV for 20+ years. Jorge-Armando has dedicated 18 years of leadership and activism addressing HIV, mental health, and a wide range of issues that impact the Latinx LGBTQ+ community. In 2010, he was named one of the 100 Heroes by POZ Magazine for his activism and leadership in Los Angeles. Jorge-Armando is a writer for Adelante Magazine, a Latino LGBTQ Magazine where he uses this platform to invite Adelante readers to have bold and honest conversations on a wide range of topics from machismo to toxic masculinity through his monthly articles.
Melody Torres is an elite hairstylist for Ulta Beauty. She has been in the beauty industy for 17 years. Melody serves her community by creating safe spaces and elevating the community to higher levels. Her hard work and determination to not be a statistic has driven her to succeed. Melody is a Los Angeles native and fully takes advantage of the beautiful views it has to offer. She’s seeking her way into diversity and inclusion work in corporate America. The best way to describe Melody is adventurous and willing to help out however she can, which brings her to FLUX – as the International Director of Health and Wellness. She is excited to bring a healthy way of life and a culture of wellness to the community. Melody has studied at Yale University for the Science of Wellness and she sees this as being given the chance to share her story, lead, and inspire her community.
Is a 35 y/o Latina, born in West Covina, California. I’m the second oldest child out of 7 kids. I grew up in the San Gabriel Valley. Dhegraduated from Sierra Vista high school. Miranda currently works as a Prep navigator. This is a position that helps people gain access to HIV prevention Medication. She describes herself as a chill and easy-going full of life girl. But it wasn’t always sunshine and rainbows. She is here today to open up about living her best life while being HIV positive.
Mallery Jenna Robinson is an AfraCarribean Transwoman and transgender and HIV Healthcare advocate in Los Angeles first working with The LGBTQ Center Long Beach from 2019-2021 as the Engagement Specialist and Service Navigator for their Transgender Health Program. In the summer of 2019 she began working at The LGBTQ Center Long Beach as the Engagement Specialist and Service Navigator for The Transgender Health Department. The duties of this position included: case management of clients, linkage to care, PrEP and PEP services, STI screening and HIV testing. While at The LGBTQ Center Long Beach Mallery implemented several successful essential programs such as: Rack and Roll (a clothes closet), Snack Shack (food pantry), TRANSport ( an essential items delivery service,) and events such as: Come OUT and Pose, ValenTrans Day, and a The T-Report Red Desk Diaries a panel for National Transgender HIV Testing Day. She has also presented several Transgender Empathy Trainings (TET Talks) presentations to Sony PlayStation, and Long Beach Vocal Rehab to list a few. Mallery has also spoken publicly for The Long Beach Transgender Day of Remembrance at Harvey Milk Park in November 2019 and for ALL Black Lives Matter Los Angeles and co-hosted several LGBTQ virtual award shows such as Unique Woman’s Coalition Our Honors Award. On Transgender Day of Visibility.
Jennifer Rodriguez is a 37 year old Latinx Transgender Woman. Born and raised in Los Angeles, she enjoys eating healthy, exercise, and meeting new people within the transgender community. Jennifer’s real passion is recovery and helping individuals struggling with addiction find recovery. Through her lived experience she wants to make a difference for the Transgender community because when she was trying to get clean, there was no representation in the recovery community. She believes that it is important for her to be out and visible to serve as a beacon of hope for Transgender individuals seeking recovery. She believes that recovery is a lifelong process and wants people to know that there is support and that we can do this together while having fun and enjoying a joyous, uplifting, and sober life. Jennifer has been working in the recovery field for over 3 years now and is committed to serving where she can. She currently serves as the Peer Recovery Specialist at St. John’s Well Child & Family Center, where she facilitates a successful support group called T.A.R.A. – Trans Addressing Recovery and Addiction, and well as co-facilitating Seeking Safety, another successful support group based on the Seeking Safety curriculum. She is currently developing a non profit organization that caters to trans people in need of recovery. Her ultimate goal is to create a therapeutic community where individuals struggling with addiction can find hope and healing. Jennifer firmly believes in the though put out by this quote: “One small step is worth more than a thousand planned.” For Jennifer, recovery means a series of steps on the journey rather than a race to the end.
Also known as “The Homo Homie,” originated from El Monte, California. He is one of eight siblings and the proud product of Mexican migrants and is first generation Mexican American. Currently Erick is the Host of his own podcast show “The Homo Homie Podcast.” Erick is an established individual who is well rounded in the arts and is known as a triple threat. He attended and completed a 3-year music conservatory program in Glendora, California at Citrus Community College. In February 2013 to 2014 giving you the daily sports report, he was the first, openly gay Spanglish (Spanish and English) on air sports correspondent known as ‘Erick-A, The Sports Homo Homie,” for Exitos 93.9 FM (Radio Centro 93.9 –KXOS) . Erick was an on air talent for the digital broadcasting platform DASH Radio for the Tattoo and the Crew Show (August 2019 – September 2019) . He was known as “The Homo Homie,” reporting on the Gay News every Friday from 7-10 A.M. PST on Ice Cube Presents BIG3 Radio. Not only has he worked in broadcasting but has also helped in establishing a 501c3 non profit started by RaqC called “Amigas 4 My Soul.” It’s an organization that he is proud to support that helps to inspire all women to live purposefully and courageously regardless of their background, age, financial status or sexual orientation and provide tools for them to build a better tomorrow. Throughout his life and career, Erick has been blessed enough to freely be himself and is proud of being a part of the LGBTQ+ community. His ability to connect with people, regardless of his sexual preference, has opened doors to allow room for safe spaces wherever he’s been. He’s not afraid to help others understand about his LGBTQ+ brothers and sisters and is helping to bridge that gap by creating inclusivity and creating allies. He is always willing to ask questions and learn from his community to help get a better understanding of what’s going on, all while continuing to learn about himself. What Erick is most proud of and is fortunate to be blessed with, is becoming a full time legal guardian to his niece. He took over legal guardianship when she was 5 in 2011 and has never been a prouder Guncle (Gay Uncle). Raising a life has been the greatest challenge and accomplishment that he has ever done and nothing will ever top that.
Meets our experts
Ray Fernandez grew up in Baldwin Park, CA in the San Gabriel Valley. He is 5th generation Chicano on his father’s side and Yonsei on his mother’s side. He came out as gay at age 15. Ray graduated from UCLA with a B.A. in Women’s Studies and a Minor in Chicana/o Studies and has an M.A. in Clinical Psychology from Antioch University. He has worked in the field of HIV/Education and prevention for the last 20 years. He is currently an AMFT and is a patient care manager on a Medical Care Coordination Team working with HIV positive clients.
Natalie is a third generation Mexican-American born and raised in the San Fernando Valley. She is a two time BRUIN with a Master in Public Health degree from UCLA’s Executive MPH Program and holds a Bachelor degree in Sociology. She is well-known for her work as creator, Executive Producer, and writer of the award-winning telenovela web series “Sin Vergüenza” which addresses HIV in Latino communities. Natalie has created and led some of the largest and most successful multicultural HIV campaigns as well as implemented a combination of public health strategies to reduce HIV infections in Southern California. Sin Vergüenza, Ask Me About PrEP, Free to Be campaigns have become prominent HIV educational tools among community health organizations across the country aimed at reducing HIV health disparities. She is not only a leader in HIV but has broken into the film industry where she has used film for public health messages and has created a space showcasing Latinos and LGBTQ persons as main characters in their own lives. Natalie is the Director of UCLA Family AIDS Network where she manages a network of providers serving women, infants, children and youth living with HIV in Los Angeles. She is the community co-chair of the California Planning Group on HIV and STDs and is a planning member of the National Latinx HIV Conference.
13 years of volunteer work in the HIV/AIDS arena, of which I’ve been serving as the Founder/President of Impulse Group International, a volunteer group spanning over 12 countries, 25 chapters and over 375 volunteers. I also previously served as a Board Member of AHF for 4 years. Prior to joining AHF, I spent 16 years of service in the retail industry, 12 of which with Target Corporation, starting my career as the Executive of Guest Experience and progressing into a General Store Manager. I earned a bachelor’s degree in Psychology with an emphasis in Cognition and an MBA with a focus on Management and Organizational Behavior.
Dr. Hilda Sandoval is an experienced leader and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who has focused her career on addressing social and health inequities experienced by marginalized communities. She has over 19 years of experience with nonprofit organizations focused on eliminating health disparities for the Latinx, African American and LGBTQI communities. Her work expands from direct program oversight, leadership development, project development and capacity building. Currently, she is serving as the Director of Behavioral Health Programs at JWCH Institute, Inc. which provides critical mental health services to the Skid Row and other low-income areas throughout Los Angeles County. Dr. Sandoval has co-written and produced successful public health campaigns focused on HIV prevention, including the nationally recognized series Sin Vergüenza, a bilingual telenovela focused on addressing HIV in the Latino community. She draws from her training and experience when developing campaigns to raise awareness on issues that continue to negatively impact the community, helping to raise social consciousness and bridge cultural gaps. She co-founded Social Exchange Institute which aims to create innovative media and research through the promotion of social justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion. Dr. Sandoval holds a Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology and a Master’s Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy.
