Today we’d like to introduce you to Ricardo Martinez.
Hi Ricardo, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, you could tell our readers some of your backstory.
In Mexico, my dad was a teacher, and my mom was a nurse. They left everything behind to wash dishes and clean houses in the US so their kids could get a quality education. When we moved, I didn’t lick English. But I had a talking buddy, Allison. She had bright red hair and spent hours talking with me when we weren’t practicing our dance moves. I fell in love with school and picked up the language quickly. On a school field trip in sixth grade, one of my teachers taught us about Act Up! and planted the seed of advocacy. Little did my parents know that those educational opportunities would keep me trapped in the education system for 20 years, leading to a graduate degree in Nonprofit Management. After graduation, I was committed to mission-based work. For me, having a purpose is what drives me. It’s a legacy that I inherited from my mom and my grandmother. Professionally, I focused on access to education and LGBTQ+ rights, which ultimately led me here to Equality Texas in 2019. It’s been an honor and a privilege to lead the resistance against the burgeoning anti-LGBTQ+ movement in Texas.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Being the middle child is always a struggle, but navigating higher education when there wasn’t a blueprint for it was a challenge. The idea of a career for a first-generation American is another struggle. My family encouraged me to grin and bear with any salary offer or any position. It’s been a blessing for my career to take its shape. I’m living out my 22-year-old dreams.
Thanks – so, what else should our readers know about Equality Texas?
Equality Texas is the largest statewide nonprofit organization dedicated to ending discrimination against the LGBTQIA+ community through education, political advocacy, and grassroots organizing. For over 30 years, Equality Texas has been a powerhouse in the Texas Legislature, working to defeat harmful legislation targeting our community. During the 2023 session, we helped block 95% of the anti-LGBTQIA+ bills. We also mobilize advocates across the state and help connect queer people with resources to navigate any challenges they may face in Texas.
We’d love to hear about what you think about risk-taking.
I’m down for risks. I left New York to go to Arizona and now Texas because I wanted to go where the fight was. Taking that leap led me to meet so many people who have been an enduring part of my life, and it has also taught me that progress is fragile.
Pricing:
- People can fund the fight for LGBTQIA+ rights by donating to Equality Texas
Contact Info:
- Website: equalitytexas.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/equalitytexas/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EqualityTexas
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/equality-texas/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/EqualityTexas
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@EqualitytexasOrg
Image Credits
Winston O’Neal, CCR studios (portrait)
