40 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY JUNE 5-11, 2025 www.montereycountynow.com FACE TO FACE Sam Gomez of Soledad is deeply involved in the community. Gomez, who is nonbinary and uses they/them pronouns, helps LGBTQ+ residents across Monterey County through their work at The Epicenter, a youth nonprofit that began in Salinas, where they are the deputy director. Gomez is also an activist who has participated in different local movements supporting women’s, immigrants’ and Black rights. Gomez was involved in the Soledad referendum, Measure P, a resident-led movement that overturned the council’s decision to create a five-district map with a rotating mayor in 2024. They grew up in a multi-generational home in Salinas with their mother, sister and grandparents—a deeply Christian Mexican household. When they were 17, they were outed by a relative, turning Gomez’s life upside down. “I didn’t really have the chance to come out,” Gomez says. “I had to leave my mom’s house because of just my identity and wanting to be myself. Not having that support was a very tough time.” Happily for Gomez, their mom’s side of the family came around after a few years. “It was very beautiful how they shifted their perspectives and made amends with me and said that they were wrong,” they say. Gomez and their partner now regularly participate in family gatherings. The Weekly spoke to Gomez as Pride Month (June) got underway. Weekly: You were outed not on your own terms. What should people know about that experience? Gomez: I think for somebody to come out—that’s deeply personal, and it’s a choice that the individual should have. If you want to find a way to be supportive, I would say just by being there and saying, “Hey, if there’s anything you ever need, I’m here and I accept you for who you are.” That’s a very important and critical piece because you never know who you may be outing and what the impact would be on them. It was something that did impact my housing at 17, where I felt like I couldn’t live this lie anymore, so I had to leave. Ultimately that’s what helped me find myself and be OK, because if I would have stayed, I would have lived a lie and that wasn’t being true to myself—and that ultimately would have harmed me in so many different ways. It’s thinking about what the impact is, about their mental health, thinking about their housing stability and their safety. I’ve seen you participating at protests supporting different issues. How did that start? One of my first protests was Black Lives Matter in 2020. I was really inspired to help co-organize Black Lives Matter protests in Soledad, which was the first of its kind. We had never had anything like that, and that was something that I’m very proud of, that the community was able to come together. If you could talk to your younger self, what would you say? Oh, my goodness. Oh, my little Sam. I really love to think about my inner child sometimes, and try to be gentle and very soft, because a lot of what I went through as a child—as a teenager—I didn’t have a lot of self-esteem. I would tell myself that it’s OK. I love you and I accept you. We’re gonna be OK, you’re gonna make something of yourself. It’s hard right now, but just hold onto that hope, because it gets better and life is so beautiful. You will find community, which is priceless. Why is it important to bring visibility to the LGBTQ+ community? It’s so crucial, especially our young people, to see that it’s safe to be here. I think in addition to visibility—which is amazing that the county is having so many different Pride flag-raising ceremonies—I think also being able to provide that support to our community members by creating these spaces where they have to be able to get together and feel safe, feel included. What do you do when you’re not working? I volunteer with Salinas Valley Pride, which has been amazing. I just gravitate toward building community, and that is an organization that I’m very proud to be a part of. I’m also with National Alliance on Mental Illness, with their LGBTQ program. That sounds like work. I also like swimming. Arroyo Seco, the Gorge, it’s probably one of my favorite places to go swimming. It’s about a three-mile hike, and you get to go see a swimming hole. It’s so worth it. Once you get there, it’s pretty deep, it’s beautiful, crystal clear water, and not a lot of people go to it. Community Found As an activist, Sam Gomez is dedicated to helping others feel welcome and accepted, whoever they are. By Celia Jiménez Sam Gomez with their 5-year-old yorkie, Koko, who has become a de facto team member at The Epicenter. Gomez has worked at the nonprofit over the past decade. CELIA JIMÉNEZ CAN YOU HELP? You’ve toyed with the idea—now is the time to act! Save the life of an older cat by becoming a foster parent! As the only older-cat-exclusive rescue in Monterey County, we simply cannot help these cats without fosters. By opening your home and heart, you become a lifeline for an older cat in need. We’ll handle the supplies and vet care—all you need to provide is love and a safe place to call home. Be a hero. Be a foster. Save a life today! Will you help cats like Tilly get that Second Chance at a new beginning? Would you like to learn more about our adoptable cats, become a foster or sponsor our next ad? Please call 831-200-9232 or email info@gocatrescue.org for more information. 831.200.9232 PO Box 683 Monterey, CA 93942 www.gocatrescue.org Peach Want to meet Peach? Please fill out our online adoption questionnaire. Things to love: approx. 9 years old - 6 lbs - female - Chihuahua mix She is a quiet, gentle soul who loves lap time and staying close to her person. She enjoys being carried, naps peacefully in her crate, and gets along well with people and other dogs. This sweet, low-key companion is crate-trained, and rides well in the car! Ad sponsored by M.B.W.W.C. www.GoWhales.com If you’d like sponsor our next ad, give us a call. 831-718-9122 | www.POMDR.org P.O. Box 51554, Pacific Grove, CA 93950
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