Charlie Ruiz Vazquez dreams of helping homeless LGBTQ+ youth

​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.