Cisco Mejia could also be one of many few individuals who can actually say he’s dwelling his dream.
Mejia, an out, proud San Francisco 49ers superfan, has beloved the staff since he was 6 years previous, and he’s thrilled to characterize 49ers Pleasure, the staff’s LGBTQ fan group. The 49ers made NFL historical past in 2019 once they turned the primary staff within the league to formally launch an LGBTQ fan membership.
“I’m dwelling my dream,” he says, standing outdoors Splash, the long-lasting homosexual bar in downtown San Jose that he manages and that usually hosts 49ers watch events. A DJ, too, the 40-year-old makes use of his gleaming new Ford pickup — painted a shiny 49ers pink, in fact — to haul music gear for 49ers events and occasions.
A few of his homosexual mates don’t perceive his love for a sport related to an aggressively masculine supreme. And Meija acknowledges that NFL tradition has famously silenced gamers who have been something however heterosexual. It wasn’t that way back that gamers felt free to brazenly specific hostility to having homosexual teammates.
However he believes that the tradition of professional soccer is altering for the higher, led — not surprisingly — by the 49ers and the LGBTQ-friendly Bay Space. Now Mejia, who lives in Vallejo’s Glen Cove along with his husband, two cats and a tarantula, explains what this tradition shift means for the LGBTQ followers who love the game.
Q Have you ever at all times been a soccer fan?
A I grew up in San Jose, and soccer simply turned a factor after I was 6 or 7 years previous. My grandmother made me a 49ers blanket that I nonetheless have and nonetheless use right now. My household went to video games at Candlestick Park. I had a little bit gold chain after I was 9 years previous. It was the good factor on the planet.
Q Did you do sports activities as a teen?
A At Del Mar Excessive Faculty within the late Nineties, I wasn’t actually out. I performed soccer, hockey and baseball, however not for varsity. I simply knew I used to be a little bit totally different. My highschool soccer coach tried to recruit me. He noticed me play and knew I beloved the game, however I nonetheless wasn’t comfy. I used to be actually shy, and there have been a number of bullies.
Q How did you turn out to be a DJ?
A Again when MTV was round, I assumed, I wish to be a DJ. In 2004, there was (a now-closed) membership in Santa Clara referred to as Tinker’s Rattling. I went to fulfill the DJ within the sales space, and he or she’s this 60-year-old woman rocking out. I requested if she’d be prepared to coach me. I suppose I had this unhappy pet face, so she took me on.
Q Is that across the time you got here out?
A I got here out after I was a supervisor on the former Century 21 theater in San Jose. That was again within the day, when folks would camp out earlier than the most recent “Star Wars” or “Jurassic Park” film. I used to be extra outed than the rest. Most everybody accepted it (however) I misplaced some mates. My dad wasn’t very accepting of it, and we stopped speaking.
Quick ahead to final 12 months — he acquired most cancers. I ended up contacting him. We talked and all the pieces. In the present day, he’s most cancers free. Now we have an excellent relationship.
Q Did you and pa bond over soccer?
A My dad was at all times a workaholic, so it was extra my mother and my grandmother, and my brother truly performed soccer.
Q What's it concerning the recreation that you simply like?
A All the pieces. Simply the nonstop pleasure. You've gotten the bodily contact, the interceptions. All people getting out of their seats and yelling “Landing!” Folks consult with soccer as working like navy technique. You’re, like, going into battle with one another. With soccer, it additionally doesn’t matter should you’re homosexual or straight or any gender, faith or intercourse. You’re all bonded collectively and actually stepping into it. That’s the factor I like about soccer.
Q Do you may have homosexual mates who surprise how one can like such a brutal sport?
A Undoubtedly. I get prospects in Splash who ask why — however they’re additionally stepping into stereotyping. On the opposite aspect, when the 49ers introduced they have been doing 49ers Pleasure, you knew there have been individuals who wouldn’t like the concept — but it surely was extra optimistic than detrimental.
Q When former Las Vegas Raiders defensive finish Carl Nassib turned the primary lively NFL participant to publicly come out as homosexual, it was wonderful to see his staff, the NFL and different main gamers tweeting out statements about how proud they have been of him …
A It was a giant second. You've gotten an lively participant within the NFL who's out and feels he may be himself. Then you may have the 49ers representing the delight half. If that was occurring after I was in highschool, I most likely would have come out sooner.
Q What does having a 49ers LGBTQ group imply to followers personally?
A Not everybody’s out. But when they’re soccer followers and going to video games and carrying Pleasure apparel, it’s rather more straightforward and cozy for them to return out. Simply right now, I acquired an invite to a 49ers Pleasure Day at coaching camp. That was a pleasant factor to see on my cellphone.
Q Have you ever met any gamers?
A I’ve met (tight finish) George Kittle. He’s my No. 1 favourite. He’s precisely how he's on the TV and on the sector. He’s fairly a personality. I additionally met (quarterback) Nick Mullens, who’s now not with the staff. When he first began with the 49ers, he performed in opposition to the Raiders. I assumed, this man’s nice. He’s going to do nice issues.
Q Kittle additionally taped the video on the 49ers web site asserting 49ers Pleasure, saying, “We wish to have fun the eagerness of all of the Devoted. In case your staff is pink and gold, you belong within the 49ers household.”
A That was tremendous superior. You've gotten somebody who is that this big, manly, masculine determine speaking about Pleasure. That feels very welcoming for myself and the followers as effectively.
Q With the 49ers main on inclusivity for LGBTQ followers, what else ought to the NFL be doing on this challenge?
A I like how the NFL is changing into extra open, particularly with Carl Nassib and the Raiders. I simply want different groups have been doing what the 49ers are doing.