Today we’d like to introduce you to Jorge Gallegos.
Hi Jorge, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
After finishing University in Mexico, I decided to move to the United States. I somehow ended up in East Texas, working in a fast-food restaurant. However, that taught me resilience and fueled my desire to achieve more. After almost two years there, I moved to Dallas. Within the first 24 hours of being in the city, I got a job working for a gay dating app.
My creativity and passion for photography allowed me to climb the ladder at that company – the new position took me to New York City – but I really wasn’t thinking of living there – it just happened. At first, I stayed with friends; couch surfed with strangers until I found my apartment.
Living in New York City taught me about hard work, dedication, and authenticity.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
There have been a lot of ups and downs. However, I’ve always had this idea of what I want my life to look like, so I’ve taken up every challenge with a lot of humility and perseverance. It sounds easy, but if you only knew what I’ve gone through to be in this country, you wouldn’t believe it.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’ve got a BS in Graphic Design, but I’ve been doing social media management and blogging for over ten years. At the beginning of my blogger career, I was trying so hard to “fit in” within the menswear scene, so I was dressing super dapper and going for that style because I thought that’s what the people wanted to see. But after leaving NYC in 2016 and returning to Texas, I started shifting my focus from menswear to lifestyle and LGBTQ travel and showcasing more of who I am.
I consider myself someone creative, fun, and always thinking outside the box. I’m glad the influencer industry is embracing all types of content creators because, back in the day, I was afraid of being ‘too queer’ or ‘too risque’ on my posts out of fear of driving brand partnerships away.
Nowadays, I share my personal queer experience and body without shame or fear because what I want my followers to see when they come to my page is someone confident with himself, who loves every single thing about him (flaws and all), in hopes that they start being unapologetically themselves and love themselves for that.
Thanks to that authenticity, in October of 2021, I was featured on WWD magazine’s list of “LGBTQ Fashion Influencers That Are Sparking Change,” That spirit got me my current job as the Content Marketing Specialist of the .gay domain. DotGay works as any other domain, but it’s gayer and safer – plus they donate 20% of revenue (not just profit!) to LBTQ+ organizations.
Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
Without a doubt, I couldn’t have achieved any of this without the support of my family. My parents have been highly supportive and the biggest believers in me. When my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2018, I told her I would go back to Mexico to be with her, but she told me not to. Because she knew I was pursuing my dreams, and she knew she would be fine. And she is! They came to visit me in October, and we celebrated my birthday together for the first time since I moved to the US twelve years ago.
My husband has also been an incredible partner, he pushed me to continue fighting for my dreams, even when I was ready to give up. So, thank you, Travis.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/manchic/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/manchic
- SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/houseofmanchic
- Other: www.manchic.gay
Image Credits
Jeff Eason
