A quick note to our audience, the following episode contains descriptions of homophobia

and discrimination against transgender people that may be upsetting to some listeners.

In the Western Pacific region of Colombia, there's a vibrant Afro-Columbian community

in the state of Chocol.

That's Erlin Mena.

Thanks to him, Chocol also has a thriving queer scene with drag shows and queer street parties.

He's a proud or orgulloso member of this community.

Here, the LGBTQ community feels happy.

Here, a gay person is free to do what he wants.

But Erlin remembers that this area wasn't always so progressive.

There definitely weren't any drag queens around when he was a kid.

During Colombia's long civil war, this region was plagued with violence

between the government and the revolutionary armed forces of Colombia or the FARC.

We all went to the conflict victims.

The FARC used everything and they also used me because I was delicate and different.

But when Erlin grew up surrounded by war, he decided he couldn't live his life in fear.

He bought himself a wig, heels, an outfit, and a fan.

Bienvenidos and welcome to the Duolingo Spanish podcast.

I'm Martina Castro.

Every episode we bring you fascinating, true stories

to help you improve your Spanish listening and gain new perspectives on the world.

The storyteller will be using intermediate Spanish and I'll be chiming in for context in English.

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