Taking up space: Pride Month Edition

My UO family, I can’t say enough how grateful I am to check in with you every month to have transparent conversations about the wide world of wellness and self care. Sharing and learning about experiences other than our own is so important for our collective growth. We all come from diverse backgrounds and circumstances but our common thread is that we take pride in fostering diverse and inclusive spaces for BIPOC/POC/AAPI/LGBTQIA+/TGNC people in our communities. We stand up in solidarity for our friends and family that make up these communities against any kind of hate towards them. This first Pride Month in our wellness space together I want to highlight an amazing person in my life, Diego Santana. 

Diego is the assistant store manager at my location who unapologetically takes up space in numerous ways. From NY to OC, he has been apart of opening 9 different stores and works in Cross Divisional visual merchandising, operations, and talent acquisition. What can’t he do?! I had the chance to sit down with Diego and ask him a few questions.

-What does community mean to you? UO and beyond. How do you unapologetically take up space as a creative? 

D: As a gay man, I grew up acting as a version of myself that sacrificed truthfulness and authenticity while apologizing for things that made me unique. These experiences have helped me foster a community at UO where I try to help others find out who they are and live their truths freely, while continuing to chip away at those roles I created to protect myself. I’ve learned that when you do what you love that shines through the work you produce. 

-Your message to fellow LGBTQIA+ members and allies this Pride Month?

D: Pride to me is all about community and acceptance. We wouldn’t be here today if it wasn’t for the trans POC who marched the streets and protested, fought back, and took a stand. Now, we have to keep fighting for a society that values equality and that starts within our own queer community. As soon as one of us rises up, doesn’t apologize for taking up space, and embraces who they truly are, the rest of us flourish. 

With so much love,

Sophia Valenzuela 

@sophiav_