“Roleplaying Straight Just to Fit In”: How Mentorship Helped Fabio Jimenez Embrace His Queerness

Growing up queer in the South Bronx isn’t always about danger or rejection. Sometimes, the story is about subtle silences, hidden interests, and the quiet decision to just blend in—until something or someone makes it possible not to.

Fabio Jimenez, 23, grew up in the South Bronx and spent years learning how to hide parts of himself. But with the help of a mentor and a growing support system, he slowly began to find comfort in authenticity. His story reminds us that queerness doesn’t always have to come with tragedy—and that joy, safety, and expression are radical forms of survival.

Meet Fabio

Name: Fabio Jimenez

Age: 23

Hometown: South Bronx, New York City

Five Words to Describe Childhood:

Curious, fun, free, social, hiding.

Fabio’s childhood was filled with curiosity and connection, but also quiet masking. “There was always a part of me that was hidden,” he said.

When Did You Realize You Were Queer?

“Middle school. I was introduced to gay porn, and that was the first time I really understood something about myself.

At first, I didn’t think much of it—it felt like a ‘whatever’ moment. But the fear hit me after, when I realized people around me would shun me if they knew. That fear stuck. I didn’t fully accept myself until my senior year of high school, when I finally came out to my friends as bisexual.”

What Was Coming Out Like?

“Scary. I didn’t want to be treated differently. I wasn’t sure if my friends would still accept me. But the biggest shift came from a mentorship program I joined called Summer Search—and the mentor I had was queer too.”

The Power of Mentorship

“My mentor really changed my life. She helped me accept myself. She never pushed me, just listened and shared her own experiences. That space gave me the courage to come out to my close friends.”

On Hiding and Code-Switching

“I haven’t faced a lot of direct discrimination, but I’ve heard the slander. Before I came out, I had to ‘roleplay’ being straight.

I couldn’t talk about loving female pop stars. I couldn’t act the way I wanted to around certain people. That constant code-switching—that was exhausting.”

What Helped You Heal?

“Honestly? My mentor and my friends. Once I realized they accepted me, everything changed.

I started buying clothes I actually liked. I stopped hiding my interests. I was open about who I was, especially in college. That freedom to just be myself—that’s what helped the most.”

Queer Safe Spaces Fabio Recommends:

Summer Search – “It’s an amazing mentorship program for high schoolers entering 10th grade. They’re accepting and affirming, and they even pay for trips—like kayaking, hiking, and international travel. Every school should partner with them.”

The LGBT Community Center (The Center) – “Located in Lower Manhattan. They host events, workshops, and have tons of resources for queer people. It’s a great place to find community.”

Why Fabio’s Story Matters

Fabio’s story is about quiet resilience—the kind that builds slowly in secret until it finds space to bloom. Not every queer story has a dramatic “coming out” moment or public reckoning. Sometimes, it’s about the small choices: buying the shirt you really want, saying you love Beyoncé out loud, trusting a mentor, or telling a friend the truth.