For Jonathan Sanz, being out is not simply about disclosure. It is about refusing to make himself smaller.
“Out & Proud means to live authentically and unapologetically. It means to occupy the space you deserve without feeling the need to be smaller or more palatable for others,” Sanz said. “To be Out and Proud is to challenge a world that calls you to fall in line and conform and say, "I'm here."”
Sanz, 35, lives in Fort Lauderdale and serves as president of the Gay Men's Chorus of South Florida, a role he has held for three years. He joined the chorus in 2020 and describes the organization as his chosen family.
His work with the chorus earned him the OurFund Foundation's Next Generation of Philanthropy award this year. He also served as one of the founding chairs of the Chic and Unique Ball, the chorus' annual gala.
Sanz sees those achievements as part of a collective effort to build a community that is open, accepting and welcoming to all. That work is also deeply personal. A proud gay Latino and son of immigrants, he credits his family and heritage with shaping the person and leader he has become.
“I think I really started living my life once I came out,” Sanz said. “To be out isn't just about sexuality - it's about being able to be my complete self - the goofy, sensitive, kind spirit who wants to give to the world and sing - with a little sass.”
His advice to LGBTQ youth begins with history. Sanz urges young people to connect with an LGBTQ adult or elder, listen to their story and learn about the culture and challenges that came before them.
“An appreciation for the past is what forges a brighter tomorrow,” he said.
He also encourages young people to build community and expand their circle of friends during times when the world feels lonely or cold.
“It's easy to be caught up looking for a relationship (or....other...hehe) but friendships are often where you will find yourself first,” Sanz said.
Through music, leadership and philanthropy, Sanz is helping others find that sense of belonging. His guiding quote, from Martin Luther King Jr., reflects the determination behind that work: “We shall overcome because the arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice.”
