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— latinogaypride •—
JULY 1,20)1
WWW.JUSTOUT.COM
Filling A Void
In 2009, a small group decided that some
thing needed to be done about the stigma of
being gay in the Portland Latino
community.
That group became SOMOS, whose goal
was to be the first social and educational
organization for Latinos. The word usom os”
roughly translates to “we are all”—as in “we
are all Latino, we are all gay, we are all les
bian,” says Cesar Pecori, one of SO M O S’
founding members.
The group is relatively new, but it’s trying
to get its name—and purpose—to the mass
es. SOMOS has had a vibrant presence in
the Pride parade with a Carnival-inspired
float, flamboyant headdresses, balloons,
feathers and dancers.
SOMO S seeks to be a household name in
the Latino population because its very mis
sion is to connect the community. W hen it
was established two years ago, there was no
specific group that targeted LGBTQ_Lati-
nos, Pecori explains.
In his community particularly, Pecori says
he noticed many people were becoming in
creasingly isolated.
i------------------------------------------------------------
SUBMITTED PHOTO
SOMOS connects a previously ignored population
The word “somos” roughly translates
to “we are all”—as in “we are all
Latino, we are all gay, we are all
lesbian,” says Cesar Pecori, one of
“Young Latino men were coming out and
didn’t know where to go,” he shares. “People
wanted to know any other gay men or lesbians
whom they could talk to.” So SOMOS was cre
ated to provide support to others who weren’t
connected or involved with the community.
The founding members also thought it
was important that the organization be one
by and for Latinos. They envisioned a place
where folks could feel comfortable and have
no fear of discrimination.
“We wanted others in the community to
see that the group was led by Latinos,”
Pecori says.
SOMOS holds meetings in the offices of
Educate Ya, a nonprofit for the well-being of
the Latino community. SOMOS organizes
events, parties and support groups, and it also
serves as a bridge to other resources. For ex
ample, sometimes Latinos need help finding
medical or legal services geared toward them.
The group offers bilingual assistance to help
RO N M ILLIGAN
PRINCIPAL BRO KER
SOMOS’ founding members.
point individuals in the right direction.
SOMOS has several events planned for this
summer, including a sex education and STD
prevention workshop July 15, a potluck July
30 and a hike at Multnomah Falls August 13.
Visit groups.google, com/group/somos-lgbtq-latinos.
— A aron S pencer
re f t adventures
king Ordinary and Making Extraordinary
Int Schrader, President
Oregon's SBA Commumy Sank of tfw Year
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