EQUALITY COLLECTION

MEET THOMAS.

Thank you so much for coming down to the studio and letting us interview you! Okay, so what is your name, where are you from, and where do you live? 

 I am Thomas Cara, and I grew up always in Orange County. I went to high school in San Juan, and I still live there.

Described to me your sexual orientation or gender identity, and how long have you known?

I've always known, probably since as long as I can remember. I just never liked girls. I am gay, but for me it isn't a huge thing. It's just kind of just me.

How many siblings do you have? 

Three!

And what was is that like?

My older brother always was super nice about everything, didn't make me feel different. He never pushed around for it, about it. Same with my other brothers as well.

What are some challenges the LGBTQ+ community experiences in the USA today?

So to be honest, I've been blessed. I don't think that's anything has really stopped me from doing what I want to do because of my sexual orientation. I think maybe in elementary school, I remember I always felt like there wasn’t anybody telling me that being gay was an option. I was just friends with girls and sometimes the boys would push me around for it. But, I've been really blessed, I haven't really had a lot or any challenges.

What are some common public perceptions that an LGBTG+ person would find offensive?

Thing is, I don't really get offended by a lot. I think sometimes it's funny, when someone wants a gay best friend to go shopping with.

What advice do you have for parents that don't know what to do?

Educate yourself and talk to other parents that have gone through the same thing. They probably have a lot more wisdom about having a child who has a different sexual orientation other than straight. Read articles and books as much as you can. Just don't make your kid feel different, my dad is always just treated me like one of the other boys. That is like a huge blessing because my parents are really supportive of what I want to do.  I guess I haven't even really thought about it, and now like wow, like I really have been really blessed. And it's definitely not everybody's situation. I mean, you hear horror stories of people with their especially their parents, just like you know, kicking them out or you know, telling them that God isn't going to love them or you know, those types of things. 

So what are some things that people can do to support the LBGTQ+ and support the youth as well?

Just to make them feel not different, especially in school and when they're growing up. I was lucky in high school, the boys were are always very nice to me and they didn't treat me any different. I just think that is really important to not single people out and to treat others you'd want to be treated. We are just like everyone else, people are people and there doesn't need to be a label on everyone.

As an artist, especially in today’s political climate, I am so happy to that we celebrate everyone’s uniqueness. In celebration of LGBTQ+ I wanted to create a collection of my representation of the rainbow. Each work of art has its own color, and a layer of that color stacked on top of each other. Each colored piece is unique, and tells its own story, and like Thomas’ story, I have friend who identify with the LGBTQ+ community that have only recently found acceptance in their world. Shop Equality Collection here .

I was raised in a deeply religious community and the rhetoric was always very negative, yet I never understood how people could view others as less than or not deserving of a life of love/marriage with whomever they choose. I stand with all humans and want the best, happiest and healthiest life. I am an ally for the LGBTQ+ and with that cannot identify with any community or organization that stands against. In celebration I did this collection, and I am donating the profits of the pieces to The Trevor Project. If you would like to read more about the organization click here. Sadly, LGBTQ+ youth find themselves in crisis or even feeling suicidal, this organization helps prevent and intervene.