As part of the celebration of June's Pride Month, the Chargers organization is highlighting the impact of game changers across the Southern California community. Claudia Monterrosa is up next.
What is your name and what is your title/organization you work for?
My name is Claudia Monterrosa and I am the Director, Policy and Innovation, at HACLA (Housing Authority City of Los Angeles).
How has your identity shaped the person you are today?
It has taught me that I should never hide who I am. It took me years to come out to my mother and my family. Once I accepted myself I've allowed myself to be who I am. There is not turning back.
What inspired you to work in your field?
I have personally experienced housing insecurity and discrimination in my own life as well as those close to me and whom I love. I have lived through civil war during my teenage years and have seen first hand the impacts of inequality, disinvestment and redlining in Los Angeles and communities across the nation. These experiences have guided my work on civil rights, immigration, community development, increasing LGBTQ+ representation, and over the last couple of decades, I have focused on affordable housing. My passion and goal is to continue to focus on housing and continue to identify and implement creative and innovative policies and programs to address the wrongs from the past, expanding the supply of affordable housing, increasing access to opportunities for vulnerable populations and low income families and removing barriers to safe, affordable, and sustainable housing.
What does Pride Month mean to you?
Acceptance, love, equality, and a reminder that we are here, we are strong and that we must continue to fight for our rights and for equal representation!
How do you celebrate Pride?
Participating in PRIDE celebrations, expressing myself and loving my wife of 30 years and blessed to have an amazing circle of friends and family that love and embrace who I am.
What message would you tell the next generation of LGBTQ+ community to help guide their efforts?
Fight and preserve what we have today. Our prior generations of LGBTQ+ brothers and sisters fought to secure the freedoms we currently enjoy. Do not take for granted that today we can celebrate who we are, who we love, our visibility and presence in this world. We are able to proudly celebrate PRIDE because of the sacrifices from the past. We cannot go back or take these freedoms for granted, especially now!
Tell us about a moment in history that shaped your career or life?
Prop 187 and Prop 8, plus the Woman's March in 2018.
