P. STONEWALLFOUNDATION
W. STONEWALLFOUNDATION.ORG

Stonewall is an international organisation based in New York that emerged in the 1980s in the tragic context of the AIDS crisis. It was at that time that its founders created a foundation where loss could inspire a legacy and the power of individual giving could be amplified. Stonewall was born as a collection of donor funds and, as the local landscape evolved, so did its identity.

The foundation prioritises ending the criminalisation of homosexuality, gender nonconformity and poverty; lifting up all communities of colour and transgender, gender non-conforming and non-binary people; embracing disability justice; working to end racism and anti-blackness; and collaborating with advocacy and labour organisations that serve undocumented immigrants and people involved in survival economies.

P. PERIODISTA Y ESCRITOR
IG. JUANARCONES

Juan Arcones is a Spanish journalist and writer. Among his publications we can highlight Alguien para ti, Alguien para mí and Alguien para nosotros (“Someone for You”, “Someone for Me” and “Someone for Us”), a trilogy of love stories that revolve around homosexual adolescents. 

Arcones says that his work focusing on the gay community began to emerge several years ago in the face of “the need for new generations to feel represented and supported by literary references.” Decades ago, this was certainly not the case, but today this has changed. 

Juan feels he has reached many adolescents with his saga, providing a safe place and a point of reference, which for him is undoubtedly “the greatest success.” The first of the three books, published by Random Comics, is now in its 5th edition.

Juan Arcones is a Spanish journalist and writer who, among several of his titles, stands out for his own personal experiences, which are his true source of inspiration. In his latest saga of books, he focuses a lot on his teenage years, although, as they say, "inspiration can come from anywhere. From an afternoon at the cinema to listening to a Taylor Swift album," he says.

In response to HOFF's last question - how would you define your work for the community in one sentence - Juan wants to explain himself well: "I don't know if I would define what I do as work for the LGTBI community. I really try to be sincere with what I do, and if along the way I can help people feel less lonely, that's good. Because, to be honest, we often feel that we are alone, especially when you are an LGTBI teenager and, I insist again: you are not alone. As a character in my book, Pablo Bernabé, would say: 'You are fucking perfect'".

P. COACH QUEER
IG. GENDER.SPECIALIST
W. GENDERSPECIALSIT.COM

Rebecca Minor is a specialist in gender and sexuality studies who, working from the United States, offers individual therapy, parent/caregiver training and group therapy with a focus on trans and gender non-conforming adolescents and adults. Her goal is none other than to try to take on some of the emotional work of her clients, being a guide for them, their parents and the community.

Her journey here began with reading Kate Borenstein's memoir, Hello Cruel World. It was then that she decided to dedicate herself "to supporting people living their authentic truth before I even understood my own homosexuality," she says.

So far, her work has led her to spend more than eight thousand hours in session with trans youth while continuing her activism to ensure that children across the USA have access to gender affirming care. The LGTBQ+ community, especially young people, are a source of inspiration for her. She tells us that some of the people closest to her are trans or gender expansive for whom "I will never stop fighting for them to live in a world that affirms and supports them".

Looking to the future, Rebecca aspires to make an impact on a larger and larger scale for each person she deals with and to continue to join forces so that gender affirming care can be accessed for those who need it. Through HOFF, Rebecca sends a strong and clear message: "It's never too late to explore and come into the fullness of who you are!

IG. @MICHAELEDWARDSTEPHENS
W. WECREATESPACE.CO

Michael Stephens is the founder of We Create Space, a global platform for self-empowerment, consultancy and community for those who want to drive positive change and growth for LGTBQ+ people around the world. After spending 10 years working for some of the world's most respected British brands (including i-D Magazine, Vice Media, Liberty London, Ted Baker and Virgin Atlantic), Michael diverted his career path after overcoming a series of life-changing mental health issues. He was clear about his goal: "I really wanted to create a community platform and consultancy that addressed both the personal and professional needs of queer people; to celebrate the development of our unique strengths and talents. The rich diversity of backgrounds, histories and experiences of our collective aims to represent identities across the queer spectrum".

Growing up queer in a heteronormative society that lacked self-care tools to promote healthier ways of relating to one another motivated Stephens to bring visibility to the importance of self-care and personal growth within LGTBQ+ communities. In the UK, he says, "more than a third of LGBTQQ+ people still hide the fact that they are LGBTQ+ at work for fear of discrimination. Although rights have progressed enormously around the world, there are still many forms of violence, oppression and other human rights violations against queer people around the world".

With the money the platform raises through consultancies with large companies, We Create Space provides free events, resources, wellbeing solutions and support to the global queer community. "In the last three years we have built a global community of 16,000 members, hosted over 1,000 events, collaborated with over 100 companies and invested over £350,000 into the community by creating paid work opportunities," he reveals.

Michael is clear about his goal, to educate, support and inspire all people to engage in personal growth, healing, leadership development, active partnership and community wellbeing. Through it, he sends a message: "Don't be afraid to take up space. When we take up space, we empower ourselves and model a way forward for other queer people who have not been reflected in the media or society".

P. DIRECTOR DE CINE
IG. @DAVIDMPORRRAS

David Martín Porras is a Spanish film director whose work includes the Netflix series Smiley, the latest of his great successes. It is precisely this series that has allowed many members of the LGTB community "to enjoy a story in the mainstream full of light and optimism that talks about our reality in a light-hearted way. We need more LGTB content that gives hope", he tells us.

David defines himself as a member of the collective who has grown up in a very conservative and homophobic environment, an experience that, in part, brings his work to life: "I have experienced discrimination first-hand, which is why the series was born. I want to contribute to changing society so that the children and young people of the future can develop freely.

He reveals that his personal life has always been a great source of inspiration in his professional career. But, in the case of the Netflix series and being a romantic comedy, Nora Ephron has been very present in her references. After its success, she would like to make a second season and she does not miss the opportunity to share a powerful message: "We must not lose hope and illusion for a better future. After the storm, there is always a rainbow".