September 15th through October 15th marks Latinx Heritage Month, a month of celebration and recognition of the Latinx community. This Latinx Heritage Month, and all year round, MHF celebrates the diversity of the Latinx community and culture through honoring the rich and complex histories held by our teammates at MHF. Since its inception in 1988 as “Hispanic Heritage Month,” this month and the term “Hispanic” have been widely debated both inside and outside of the community. We recognize both the complexity and shortcomings of the term “Hispanic” and for this reason, have chosen to celebrate Latinx Heritage Month in order to encompass all of the intersections of the Latinx identity. In addition to this, we utilize this inclusive language to extend to the LGBTQ+ community, to represent the identities of gender nonbinary, non-conforming, and intersex communities. Throughout this month, MHF is excited to share the stories and words of our teammates on their experiences with their Latinx identity as we continue to uplift the conversation around this topic.

Felix Perez

Business Development Associate

“I’ve had brown skin for 35 years; I’ve been a practicing homosexual since age 18 and I’ve had HIV since May of 2011. As a kid, I didn’t want to be Mexican, as a teen I didn’t want to be gay and as an adult, I haven’t wanted HIV – but alas all three are a part of me. Men’s Health Foundation affords me a safe space to be gay, brown, and ‘positive’, but this reality is not true for every person living with HIV. We must all do our part to end HIV stigma and address the disproportionate impact of HIV on at-risk communities. Today, I am fortunate to work with an organization that supports and fuels my passion to touch and work with members of my community and so, I feel proud to be gay, brown, and ‘positive’. 

Dr. Manuel Pardo

Primary Care Provider

“National Hispanic Heritage Month recognizes the achievements and contributions of Hispanic American champions who have inspired others to achieve success. I feel the strength of our community daily, and strive to build upon the success of those who came before me. It is an honor to be a healthcare provider, and I too hope to inspire our community. I am a proud Colombian-American.”

Sergio Hurtado, PA-C

Physician’s Assistant

As a proud Latino, it is important to honor and celebrate Hispanic heritage to help ensure that patients from all backgrounds receive the best possible healthcare and this is exactly why I love working at Men’s Health Foundation."

Rosemary Ramos

Medical Assistant

“This is my story: I was born to Mexican immigrants. At the age of 12 and 13, my parents crossed the Mexican border to pursue the American dream. Not knowing one word of English— feeling afraid, nervous, and embarrassed but determined, they went to school every morning. At the ages of 17 and 18, my parents became parents. Having no other option, they both dropped out of high school and both had 2 jobs. My father worked at Farmers John slaughtering pigs and his second job was at a seafood warehouse. My mother worked at Sears as well as at a warehouse assembling airplane parts. I remember not seeing much of my parents because my grandmother (the mother of my father) practically raised me. I would get up at 4 in the morning to get dropped off at my grandmother’s house and would then be picked up by my parents picking me up late at night, only to do it all over again the next day. I remember my father getting home very late at night— I clearly remember him walking into our tiny one-bedroom apartment with just a few pieces of furniture and a mattress soaked from the rain. He rode a bike to and from work daily and then the next morning, he would wake me up early in the morning to dress me up and comb my hair and send me off to school as my mother was at work by that time. At the age of 30, my mother decided to go back to school and get certified as an accountant. My father also went back to school and got his Class A license because he always wanted to be a big rig driver. My father says he loved playing with trucks as a kid and would dream of driving one someday. At the age of 35, my parents became homeowners for the very first time. I remember the excitement we all felt that day. My father is now an out-of-state truck driver and is currently working on building his second home in Rosarito, Mexico on a hill overlooking the sea where he plans to retire in a few years. My mother, unfortunately, passed away at the age of 50 from metastatic breast cancer but before she passed, she started her own business assembling airplane parts along with her business partner (her brother) my uncle who still runs the business in memory of my mother. My mother left behind 8 grandchildren but overall, we are blessed! My parents taught me that everything is possible and they taught me respect, to always be grateful, loyal, honest, to stand up for those who can’t stand up for themselves, to treat others the way I would want to be treated, and to never take no for an answer. I now implement this on my daughters— 6 of them to be exact— my oldest is currently working as a drug and alcohol counselor and soon will graduate as a psychiatrist at age of 24. My second oldest is a US Army soldier/ LVN at age 22. Not bad for a teenage mother growing up in the heart of South-Central LA. I am proud to be Mexican-American! And blessed with the parents’ God has chosen for me.”

Anthony Quintero

Medical Assistant

“My story would start with my grandparents having to come to America to provide a better life for my father and his brothers my dad was enrolled in normal school and having to work with my grandpa landscaping other people’s houses. Our family didn’t have much money and my dad (being one of the oldest) had to help my grandpa finish work to provide for the family along with studying and doing homework. Then, once I was born being first-generation Mexican-American my dad would work even harder to provide for my siblings and me. He didn’t want us to have to work as hard as he did while he grew up and wanted us to have a life he couldn’t have. Even though he was tired he made time for us and never let it be shown to us he was exhausted. Today I wake up every morning ready to work and always remind myself to work hard in life and improve myself every day so his sacrifices aren’t for nothing. Until this day my dad would work every day knowing all his kids have moved out and have their own families to raise. Hispanic heritage months means to me is to never forget your roots, where you come from, and how hard your family had to work to be where you are. I’m proud to be Mexican/American and will always stay true to myself and remember how Latinos before me and that is with me work hard to provide a better future and change the world for the better.”