December 2, 2010
By: Joe Siegel/TRT Reporter
Coco Alinsug has served as Executive Director of North Shore Alliance of Gay and Lesbian Youth (NAGLY) for 8 years and has been the Recruitment Manager at The Fenway Institute at Fenway Health for the past 5 years.
He recently took some time to speak to The Rainbow Times about his work for the Boston LGBT community.
TRT: What needs to be done to increase awareness of the importance of funding for HIV/AIDS (LGBT rights in general)?
CA: Many people are now aware of the dangers of HIV, and yet each year millions of people become infected with the virus. It is therefore vital that HIV and AIDS education goes beyond simply providing information and that it is supported by other prevention efforts such as providing condoms and clean injecting equipment, and making testing facilities available and accessible.
HIV and AIDS education needs to motivate people by making them aware that what they are learning is relevant to their lives. Empowerment is also crucial, as people must be in a position where they are able to take control of their sexual behavior or methods of drug use. Education is a crucial factor in preventing the spread of HIV. Given the huge numbers of deaths that might still be prevented, the importance of effective education cannot be overestimated.
Everybody has to do his or her share. It might be a small contribution or devoting your life to this cause. Shouting at rallies or going to candlelight vigils is not sufficient enough; we need strong financial support from our government. My dream is to see the end of HIV and AIDS and to see people regardless of their sexual orientation live in peace and harmony.
TRT: Which people in the LGBT or allied community have been most influential in your life?
CA: There are a lot of influential people both in the LGBT community and personal experience. Let me start with my mom Esther Alinsug who taught me the values of patience, understanding, love and giving. Growing up in the Philippines, my mom has always been there for us, taught me and my sibling about giving back to the community and be understanding about situations and challenges in life. She is a very religious person and a devout Catholic but in spite of her religious background that did not stop her for accepting me and my sexuality. She even flew from the Philippines to Boston a couple of years ago and marched with me at the 2008 Boston Pride Parade. As far as the LGBT community is concerned, my greatest influence is my friend Kirsten Freni and my partner Peter Cipriano. Kirsten works at the Gay and Bi Men’s Health Program (GBMHP) in Beverly. She has been my partner in my mission to serve the queer community. Both of them are always there in every activity I have for the community. You can see Peter carrying my outreach bags every time I have major events and you can always see Kirsten co-hosting me or assisting me in all speaking engagements or projects for the LGBT community. We support each other.
TRT: How can the average member of the LGBT community make a difference in our struggle?
CA: Start with full understanding about the challenges of our community. Educate yourself, friends and family. Stick up for each other and be reminded that the battle for acceptance is not over yet.
TRT: What is the best advice you have ever been given to do the proactive things you do today for our community?
CA: Patience, Patience, patience.
TRT: What have you done for the LGBT community individually or collectively that you are proudest of?
CA: I could say, I make every LGBT youth be proud of who they are and stand up for what they believe in. As Executive Director of NAGLY for 8 years now, that has been my role as the guardian, the mother, the father, the big brother to any youth who steps in to the NAGLY premises, to listen to what they say, understand, and provide a safe space for them to be themselves. I always tell them that I am here to understand and welcome them in regardless. Aside from my NAGLY work, I also work as the Recruitment Manager of The Fenway Institute at Fenway Health for 5 years and work closely with clinical trials with the hope of finding a cure for HIV.
TRT: What motivates your work within this community?
CA: Growing up in a different culture and without support from organizations like NAGLY, it has been a challenge for me not being accepted within some members of my immediate circle. I have always strived hard to just to be accepted, and it has been very difficult. I soon realized that my approach was wrong; I then learned to really please myself first. I have to accept myself and have to accept the fact that I am special, and in this way, it was easy for me to deliver my message and to serve my community.
TRT: What can be done about teen suicides that happen as a result of bullying or anti-gay sentiment?
CA: Everybody must work; everybody must do his share and his part. We must demand from our political leaders that sufficient legislation be addressed. Education is another vital piece which is not only crucial to teachers and school administrators but to each and every household as well. We should promote a stronger support system.
TRT: What are the top three issues that affect our community the most? How can we each make a difference?
CA: There should be more than 3, or probably a top 20 but since you are only asking for three, then here’s my 3:
First, we need fFull Trans Inclusion to Approve a Trans Bill. Most often, some of us forget that we have our brothers and sisters in the trans community that are still fighting for what is right. We sometimes complain about the littlest things that we tend to forget that others have even more problem/s than we do. As what my mom always told me “Always count your blessings.” Let’s advocate for them.
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TRT Heroes Continued
Secondly, civil rights is a long overdue problem. Though some legislation has been passed, no total civil right bill has been passed for our community. LGBT people face the same family issues as their heterosexual counterparts, but that is only the beginning of their struggle. The LGBT community also encounters legal barriers to government recognition of their same-sex relationships and relationships to their own children. Policy issues affecting LGBT families addresses partner recognition, parenting, issues affecting children of LGBT parents, health care, discrimination, senior care and elder rights, and equal access to social services.
Lastly, there needs to be increased financial support to all HIV-AIDS related providers, patients, education, etc.
TRT: Do you consider yourself a hero for the LGBT community?
CA: This is a question that you should be asking to somebody else that knows me.
TRT: Will full LGBT equality be achieved in this country during the next 10 years? 20 years? If yes, how?
CA: This is a tough one. Though it is everybody’s dreams and wishes to achieve this the soonest possible time but I want to be realistic here, we need to strive hard, we need to work hard and continue addressing our problems and issues one step at a time and hopefully we could see the rainbow sometime soon.
