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Anthony: Where in Philly did you grow up? Angel: I grew up all over the place. Originally I grew up in the Fairmount section. But then around 9 years old, my mom moved to the Northeast. So we lived near the Franklin mills mall for a while. Then I...

Anthony: Where in Philly did you grow up?

Angel: I grew up all over the place. Originally I grew up in the Fairmount section. But then around 9 years old, my mom moved to the Northeast. So we lived near the Franklin mills mall for a while. Then I lived in Orlando for three years between ‘04 and ‘07. Then in ‘07 I moved back to Philadelphia on my own because I kinda like hated it here. Things just weren’t working out for me. When I moved back to Philly, that is when I felt like I became an adult. I was on my own. I was doing my own thing. I finally got my own place. I felt independent. Philly is where I actually came “out”. Because for a while I was hiding who I was. I was ashamed, I was embarrassed. I didn’t want to be the way I am. Especially growing up in a church setting. So for a while I hated myself. I was just very depressed. But finally I decided to start accepting myself, when I finally realized that I am not going to change…that’s when I became my own person. That’s how I became who I am today. Yes, Philadelphia is home but it also has a special place in my heart because the community accepted me for who I am. I never felt that kind of acceptance before. So, yes Philadelphia isn’t perfect. There are issues within the community but at the same time, I am grateful for the people whom I met and the experiences that I had there because it’s molded me into what I have become today. So hopefully I am not terrible person. [LoL]

Anthony: How do you like here in Orlando the second time around?

Angel: Second time around, not so bad. I came to this city feeling very optimistic about the possibilities. I have a new attitude about what to expect when coming to Orlando. Because my first experience in Orlando wasn’t great, which is why I left. But I am a different person than I was in 2007. When I lived here I wasn’t “out”. I worked. I went home. I would play videos games and that was pretty much my life. So coming here this time around, I started off by making friends. There was one friend who I stayed in communication with, Jeff, who was with me that night at Pulse. So I reached out to him and we kinda picked up where things left off. So he showed me around downtown, took me to some clubs and introduced me to some of his friends. I was determined to enjoy the experience of living in Orlando this time around. I like Orlando. Even with everything that has happened. I like Orlando.

Anthony: I recently had a working lunch with someone from Melbourne, Australia and they showed me pictures of a massive vigil they had for Pulse. There were like 200,000 people there. How does that feel to get that kind of support from the world?

Angel: It’s amazing. On Facebook and Instagram, I have received messages from people from all over. People from Spain, Dubai, Australia, New Zealand, so it’s just incredible the amount of support that I have seen from around the world. Of course, within the United States, I have received messages from people from everywhere; the Midwest, the west coast, from home. You know, it’s been amazing. I’m hoping that with all the attention this event has caused, hopefully people will start to think about their actions, think about what is it that they say against the community, think about how they treat people within our community. Now people understand that we more visual now, people are more aware but it doesn’t change he fact that there are people who hate us for who we are and like that night, want to attack us for being who we are. So I am hopeful that with all the support out there will result in positive change.

Anthony: Do you regret moving to Orlando?

Angel: Believe it or not, no. Even after what happened, I don’t regret moving to Orlando. I am not one of those to say “Everything happens for a reason.” Because I don’t think everything happens for a reason. I do believe that some things happen for a reason. What happened at Pulse, I don’t necessarily think there was any good reason for that to happen, I really don’t. But the fact is that it did happen and as result, I am different person today than who I was on June 11th. So I have to try to make the best of my life going forward.

Angel Santiago Jr., Orlando

Interviewed by: Anthony Leon

Photographed by: Louie A. Ortiz-Fonseca

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Louie: How long have you been into filming making? Maarten: Well, let’s see. I think I started in 2010 - 2011 when I formed my independent company Purple Light Films. So not too long before I met you. Your “Start Rhyming, Stop AIDS” video campaign...

Louie: How long have you been into filming making?

Maarten: Well, let’s see. I think I started in 2010 - 2011 when I formed my independent company Purple Light Films. So not too long before I met you. Your “Start Rhyming, Stop AIDS” video campaign was the third project I had ever worked on.

Louie: Oh yeah, I forget that the first time we met in person was the day you filmed me - under a pissy bridge at that!

Maarten: Yup. You were spittin’ your poetry and I was like “Wow! So this is who Louie is.” Then the minute we finished, your ride was there and you were out. I was like “This is so Hollywood” [LOL]

Louie: Oh my gawd! Yes! I forgot about that. It was raining and I did not want to get wet. I also think I was rushing to catch a bus to Baltimore.

Maarten: Well, it was a great experience.

Louie: What got you into film making?

Maarten: I came to the states from Peru with my mother and my sister when I was 4 years old. I think the first film I saw was the “Rocky” film and it stuck out to me because it was shot in Philly. Then I saw “Philadelphia” being filmed in Philadelphia. I watched Tom Hanks and Denzel Washington at work. I remember standing in a crowd for 5 hours watching the filming of the scene where Tom Hanks is rolled out in a gurney. I was so fascinated by the cameras and the work it took to get the perfect shot. That’s when I knew I wanted to do film. When I watched the film after it was released, I was blown away that it was about a gay man. I had not known. It was the first time that I was exposed to that narrative. I knew of LGBTQ people growing up but I didn’t know them. “Philadelphia” was my first exposure.

Louie: Where in Philly did you grow up?

Maarten: Man, I was lucky enough to grow up at 6th and Tioga.

Louie: Yes, hunty! That is North Philly down!

Maarten: Yeah, I grew up with the bombas and bodegas! If I could do it all again, I would. I mean, I heard and seen a lot young eyes should not see, but it has kept me humbled, strong and street smart. I know that sounds cliche be it’s true.

Louie: I totally understand. Who did you live there with?

Maarten: My mother worked a lot when I was younger so I was raised my grand parents, specifically my grand mother. She taught me alot. When she talked, I listened. I miss her every freakin’ day of my life. Wish she could have been here during these last couple of years to ground me but I channel my thoughts and prayers into her memory and that provides me support.

Jose Maarten Oyala, Philadelphia

Interviewed & Photographed by: Louie A. Ortiz-Fonseca

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Carlos: My name is Carlos Mejias and I am from Easton Pennsylvania, about 45 minutes to an hour outside of Philly;  a small city, pretty diverse town. Growing up it wasn’t so diverse. I was the minority but it’s gotten a lot better.

Rafael: So I know that’s pretty close to Allentown and Bethlehem. So was that your first exposure to the gay scene?

Carlos: I’d say yes but not really realizing it as a kid. It was family’s friends that had children that were in their 20’s and 30’s that were[gay]. I kinda knew they were different but didn’t know exactly what it was.

Rafael: So what was it like for you growing up? What was your personally journey like?

Carlos: Growing up, I always knew I was different. But not just because of my sexuality, I also grew up with a lot of medical issues. So I always knew that I was the “oddball.” And I was cool with that. It wasn’t until I hit my teenage years. Everyone goes through their awkward stages; different types of clothing, different social groups. I was the person that hung out with everyone. I had good friends that stood up for me. I’m now 33 and I don’t think I became completely comfortable with everything until I was about 25. On my 25th birthday, my mother made one of those posters things that show me from baby until now. And looking it, I just lost it and started crying because it was one of those things, like “you are your own worse enemy” and you put yourself down so bad and I did that because of my medical issues and everything in life. It that moment, like an enlightening period, I was like “are you kidding me?” There’s nothing wrong. Looking at my photos, I didn’t look ugly but I felt it growing up. From 25 to 30, every year I work on something to make myself feel better. Get into hobbies that I like, keep busy, work with community. Once I hit 30, it was like “I’m still here, keep pushing at it.”

Carlos Mejias, Easton PA

Interviewed by: Rafael E. Alvarez-Febo

Photographed by: Louie A. Ortiz-Fonseca

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