​Charlie Ruíz Vazquez has many things in common with her mom, Mary Ruiz. Both are Clínica Romero health promotoras at the Ramona Gardens housing complex where they live, and both self-describe as very friendly people.

​Charlie, who identifies him/herself as a gender-fluid pansexual, learned about community service from her mother, a volunteer and co-facilitator at the Spanish-language PFLAG meetings at Mi Centro in Boyle Heights.

​Charlie Ruiz Vazquez (left) and her mother Mary Ruiz during recording session oF BHB workshop at Mi Centro LGBTBQ center in Boyle Heights. Photo by Antonio Mejías-Rentas for BHB.

Before beginning the recording session, 14-year-old Gavin Páez declared: “today we’re going to ask each other those questions we’ve never asked. It’s only been a year since he identified himself to his parents as a transgender boy and began speaking to them about his identity. Ricardo Páez and Alma Espinosa did not immediately understand the meaning of the word “transgender,” but never ceased to give him love and support.

​Gavin Páez, his parents Ricardo Páez and Alma Espinosa, and his sisters Citally, Lorely and Emily, during recording session oF BHB workshop at Mi Centro LGBTBQ center in Boyle Heights. Photo by Antonio Mejías-Rentas for BHB.

At 17, Alex Medina is the youngest of Mario and Candelaria Medina’s four children, with whom they form a very united family. Two years ago he decided to come out of the closet and spoke to his parents, who assured him that their love for him would never change.

​Alex Medina and his parents Candelaria and Mario during recording session oF BHB workshop at Mi Centro LGBTBQ center in Boyle Heights. Photo by Antonio Mejías-Rentas for BHB.