About Us → News & Events Stigma Warrior: Meet Ray Rico

Hi, my name is Ray Rico. I’m a Latin LGBT community leader and business person who lives in Memphis, Tennessee. My intersectional work with our LGBT publication, Focus magazine and my boutique marketing agency, Ray Rico Freelance affords me the opportunity to work with meaningful projects, initiatives, and advocacy for multiple communities like the Latinx and LGBT communities that I am a part of. Our campaigns, advertising, marketing, and promotions have been presented on a regional, national, and global scale. And we have had the pleasure of working on some really great initiatives that have had some meaningful impact. 

I am an HIV advocate and stigma warrior because we have work to do at home. 

In Memphis and Shelby County, Tennessee we have some of the highest numbers for new HIV transmissions. (Currently #2 in US for new HIV diagnosis.) Which presents opportunity for change and we have so many tools and resources to truly get status neutral. 

I’ve had the pleasure of being affiliated, working with, or serving on a board for several groups and organizations like Friends for All, St. Jude, End HIV 901, Ending the HIV epidemic. I was also a National Latinx conference scholar, the Southern AIDS Coalition community advisory group, ViiV grant recipient for our podcast “PrEPPED: sex stigmascience and the south”, and I serve as a social media consultant for HPTN096. 

I fight stigma in my daily life by being a resource for others and also by sharing factual information about HIV testing, treatment, care access, and prevention. Additionally, I produce a podcast called “PrEPPED: Sex, Stigma, Science, and the South.” Finally, I serve as the brand ambassador for the regions CDC Ending the HIV Epidemic campaign called End HIV 901.

It’s important to stand up to stigma because there are others who do not have voices or confidence or courage to say something when there are situations that arise that can cause difficulty accessing affirming care or have challenges at work home and with family. Dispelling myths is also helpful and sharing factual information for people who are still learning about HIV. I feel that treatment is vital but prevention is key. 

My genuine advice for folks who may be experiencing discrimination or challenges is to know that there are folks out there who are working and fighting for you. It’s important to make sure that you find your people when you find your safe spaces where you can be authentically yourself and have access to resources to help you live well. If anyone out there find themselves in a threatening or challenging situation it’s important to get out and get help and find a safe space. There are people that are out there that love you care for you and want you so please believe that.

One word that I think would describe me as a stigma warrior is courageous. I’m a born fighter and I’m pretty stubborn and dedicated so I do believe that in my heart I honestly will always fight for folks and try to make a difference in my community, even those who may not have the courage or strength to fight for themselves. I am also pretty resourceful and trustworthy so folks feel safe with me, and I can help direct folks to resources or help they might need because of my intersectional work.