In a time when understanding feels more crucial than ever, the "Proud to Be" project was born from a simple, urgent belief: the LGBTQ+ community of the Rio Grande Valley deserves to be seen, celebrated, and honored.

Growing up alongside friends in the community, I saw firsthand that love and identity are not grounds for exclusion. Here in the Valley, where culture and faith are so deeply woven into our daily lives, these stories serve as a powerful bridge to understanding. This series is a stand against being made to feel like an outcast, a declaration that every story is a human story.

This belief is woven into the art itself. Each portrait is intentionally crafted with cinematic lighting that brings the individual from shadow into light—a visual metaphor for stepping into the forefront with courage, authenticity, and pride.

We are honored to provide a permanent, safe, and empowering home for these stories. This is more than a gallery; it is a testament to resilience and a celebration of what it means to be unapologetically you.