Hello, my name is Antonio Robledo. I have always been passionate about creating a community that offers alternatives beyond commercial options for the LGBTQ+ community in my hometown, Tuxtla Gutiérrez, Chiapas, Mexico, where there are limited resources to create safe spaces for vulnerability and discussions on mental health, sexual health, expression, and other community concerns.

In 2020, I organized a support group by securing a venue and the necessary materials, and I invited two professionals: a psychologist and a doctor, to help with the presentations. It was a wonderful experience, and we managed to gather about 15 participants over roughly nine weeks.

At the end of those nine weeks, the challenge was that participants wanted to continue, but it became complex for me due to my other personal commitments. Therefore, I decided to hold monthly online meetings, since the pandemic had just begun, and we moved everything to a virtual format.

Over time, we experienced ups and downs, with some members joining and others leaving. It has been a volunteer effort, funded by my own resources, and although it has been challenging to balance with personal projects, the group has persisted.

This year (year 5), I decided to add more structure by forming a committee with individuals responsible for communication, training, and member recruitment, ensuring the community continues to grow and remain active.

However, the platform has been an obstacle. Jitsi Meet, which we’ve been using, is not stable and causes frequent disconnections, making our sessions difficult.

Therefore, I have decided to raise funds to purchase an annual Zoom account, providing us with a more reliable and professional virtual environment. Additionally, we want to offer materials and resources that will enrich our members’ experiences.

We are more than 20 members now and the numbers continue to grow little by little, and fortunately, the participants are very happy with the group. More and more individuals are joining this alternative, DiVeRsIa offers them meaningful connection and support.

I deeply appreciate any support, from one dollar to whatever you can contribute. This cause is very close to my heart, as Tuxtla Gutiérrez is my home, and I want to give back to the community that raised me.

Thank you so much for your support and for joining this meaningful effort!