As a Filipino man who identifies as both queer and gay, Alex Maravillas strives to make a difference in the LGBTQA+ community using his own personal experiences and identity as a way to build bridges with individuals in need of guidance.

Six years ago, Maravillas discovered he was gay after battling with himself on whether or not it was just a phase or if it was who he is.

Growing up, Maravillas was raised in a very religious atmosphere and knew that coming out would take some time for his family to approve, but there was only one person he knew he could confide in—his mother.

“She said everything you should not say when someone comes out … But she assured me she loved me and was, on some level, okay with it and understood I couldn’t be the person I  was if I wasn’t [true to who] I am,” said Maravillas.

But not long after their conversation, his mother reacted by praying for him and begging him to open his heart to God. Maravillas’ father on the other hand, did not take the confession lightly.

“My dad was wailing and screaming and asking what he did to deserve this,” he said.

After all was said and done, Maravillas had had enough and ran away from home, but found himself returning back home, only to be met with hate and discontent resulting in him suffering from anxiety and contemplating committing suicide.

Maravillas’ decision to come out to his family was not a positive experience, but the experience itself is the reason why he is actively involved in the LGBTQA+ community and has shaped him into the person he is today.

“Just recently, a friend of mine who shares the same identity as me committed suicide two days before his 19th birthday. He was gay, going through depression and an abusive relationship. He didn’t even get to graduate high school, experience college life and it saddens me that we both had very different outcomes,” said Maravillas.

“Having the intersection of identities that are marginalized makes me aware that I will be discriminated against because of my identity. Being API and queer, I have multiple experiences that a lot of queer people of color usually face, like oppression, racism, homophobia and the list goes on.”

On campus, Maravillas is a Peer Educator at the Pride Center and is the Editor of a student-
initiated magazine, “The Queery,” which focuses on LGBTQA+ topics.

Maravillas’ end goal is to have a position in the student affairs profession and is currently looking into a graduate program at SDSU and aspires to be an advocate.

Given his coming out experience, Maravillas encourages students to own who they are, regardless of the what people may think.

“It’s tough to come to terms with your identity and being able to be yourself is very liberating. I would suggest finding a support system that is open, a person who values solidarity, equity and inclusiveness.”