Happy National Coming Out Day!
La Pescaderia - Condesa mexico city
Friends,
That’s right, it’s the one day of the year when closets everywhere collectively shudder, rainbows spontaneously appear, and—for a moment—everyone’s inner diva shines just a little brighter. And so, in the spirit of authenticity (and a splash of good humor), I want to share a story that swings from awkward teenage schemes to heartwarming full-circle moments.
A Summer in Guadalajara & The Lessons of Love
It all started in the summer of 1995, right before high school. Picture this: I’m in Guadalajara, expertly dodging my family’s wild mix of religious tradition and telenovela-level drama. One night, my uncle’s (undeniably fabulous) neighbor invited us to a local nightclub. My parents, determined to let their teenage son taste the nightlife, pulled a classic move: they enlisted my slightly older cousin to pose as my “girlfriend” so I could get past the bouncer. Yes, I was smuggled into a club under the most awkward teenage pretense ever. (Thanks, Mom and Dad—I owe you one… or maybe therapy!)
Once inside, I was dazzled by the live show. The performers? Let’s just say their wigs were higher than the tequila was strong. I turned to my dad, wide-eyed, and asked about the performers—realizing, in my 90s innocence, that they were transsexual, a term we all used back then. I shrugged, kept dancing, and honestly, had the time of my life.
Fast-forward to my first day at a private, all-boys Catholic high school in East L.A. Over those four years, I made friends for life (many of whom were gay), and built bonds with professors I still talk to today. Back then, I didn’t care about labels—I just knew these were amazing people.
That’s really the heart of it: I learned to see people as people, long before I understood any of the labels. It’s why I’ve always stood by the LGBTQ+ community. Love is just… love. And sometimes love is also karaoke night, questionable dance moves, and a little eyeliner (don’t judge!).
Family reunion December 2024
To bring it all full circle: In December 2024, my wife Prisca and I returned to Guadalajara and visited my uncle at the very same house (built with his own hands, because apparently, in our family, HGTV is a personality trait). We ran into that same neighbor, Gustavo—who’s still the life of the party, still part of the LGBTQ+ community, and still able to out-dance anyone within a five-mile radius. We ended up at a block party and family reunion, reminiscing about the good old days and laughing until we cried.
And as if the universe wanted to give us an encore, in the summer of 2025, Prisca and I found ourselves at a similar performance in Mexico City at La Pescadería in Condesa—proving that some things (like glitter, great stories, and acceptance) never go out of style.
So, on this National Coming Out Day, if you’re thinking about coming out, know this: you’re not alone, you’re loved, and the world is a heck of a lot more fun (and fabulous) when you’re your authentic self. Whether you’re busting out of the closet or just peeking out to wave, you belong here.
Happy Coming Out Day! Shine on—you never know who you’ll inspire with your truth (or your dance moves).
In Solidarity,
Gamy Enriquez, MPA
