Page 12 - Adelante Magazine February 2021

JORGE DIAZ,
MSW, Director of Prevention Programs and Services - Bienestar Human Services
Over this past 10 months, I had a lot of time to reflect. A lot of alone time-that was scary. It was weird when
this first all started. I was always that guy who was always "busy" and never could make it and do everything.
I would miss friend’s outings and family gatherings due to work, social life or just poor time management. When
I would go out to a club or bar or WeHo-I would play the stare game. You know, just stare at guys and they just
look back. No chat, no going up to each other. Afraid of rejection.
I miss bonding and socializing. I plan to go and see family. I lost my biological father, an aunt and uncle due
to COVID. I still have not been able to give my brothers a hug for their loss or any member of my family for the
loss of our aunt and uncle. Not being able to be there for a funeral or passing was a new experience for me and
so many.
I plan on going out with friends and working on strengthening my relationships with them. Being single and not
being able to visit family or others due to COVID was really scary. I really want to bond with friends and make
relationships stronger than before. Going home to an empty apartment was lonely at times.
I used to think that we could only hang out in WeHo. During this pandemic and not being able to go anywhere-
I realized we can simply bond by going hiking, grabbing a bite to eat, gym or doing anything.
No more stare game. Wearing a mask for 10 months truly blocks who we are. COVID didn't give me the
courage to talk and smile at strangers in a club or out having a drink or anywhere. COVID made me realize how
valuable and rewarding it is to speak to others, smile at others, greet others and be in tune with their facial
expressions. I think I will be more social and not take for granted that a smile can change someone's day.

OCTAVIO POSOS ARI GUTIERREZ ARAMBULA ROLAND PALENCIA
Trainer and Activist Co-Founder, Board Treasurer & Secretary Community Benefits Director
After the pandemic more than ever I would Latino Equality Alliance L.A. Care Health Plan
continue taking care of my body to help my Photo: Ari Gutierrez Arambula visits San
immune system stronger. I would say thank Miguel de Allende with mom, wife and We are in the midst of grief, gifts, and contri-
you and ask them for their “names” to all the daughter. bution--all at once. I will continue my
people that interacted every single day in the commitment to healing and to rebuilding our
bank, grocery store and at the gym and be During these months of the pandemic we most impacted communities ravaged by this
more personable. learned to value our time together and pandemic and systemic racism. On a
I would love to also thank the nurses, doctors, realized how much we miss our family trips personal level, I will visit family and friends
and firefighters for all the GOOD they for the adventure and the bonding. who live in other cities and continents, read
give/gave to help Covid patients. I would love Although there is no place like home, after novels and poetry that nurture my soul, and
to have back the power of love with hugs and Covid we look forward to resuming family reflect on what just happened to us and our
kisses for my friends, family and dear friends. travel vacation traditions, visit familia in country given the multiple levels of abuse of
Finally, with my husband we would plan to fly Texas and get back to colonial Mexico, the past four years.
around the World... Europe, Hawaiian Islands and more!

PAUL CULVER
Photographer
After the Pandemic: I think the one thing I will look forward to the most is traveling. I know some people are
doing it now, but I don’t think getting on a plane with 150 other people for hours is a smart thing to do. Travel is
something I have always enjoyed and have met many people around the world doing it. I’m a little older now
so going to the bars and clubs hasn’t been as big an issue as it would have been for me when I was in my 20s
or 30s. I’ve been content to stay home and have luckily had some companionship for these last months. Also,
with today’s technology we can stay in contact with friends far and wide more easily than in the past, and it was
something I was already doing since moving to Colombia a few years ago. But I do miss the excitement of
going somewhere in the world.

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