11:01am | Editor’s note: The following is the third installment in a new series of interviews with emerging LGBT leaders.
Armando Vasquez-Ramos is a product of Long Beach. Born and raised here, Vasquez-Ramos grew up immersed in the city’s public service realm as his family spans the scope of employment; he counts academics, firefighters, social workers and union organizers among his family members. He works for the office of Fourth District Councilman Patrick O’Donnell as the field and legislative deputy.
The 29-year-old grew up with two highly educated parents, both of whom were among the first graduating class of Cal State Long Beach’s Chicano/Latino studies program. Their activism as radical Chicanos, as well as their professional successes, have given Vasquez-Ramos a unique perspective on activism, Long Beach and identity.
Q: What effect did your parents’ academic success have on you?
A: In my family it was not an option to not go to college. We were kind of in the minority of Chicano families in that I personally did not come from humble beginnings. I grew up in College Park. My sister grew up with very high expectations of academic success, and I think we both chafed under the pressure a little bit. We got our degrees, but it took longer than the standard four-year plan.
Q: Do you consider yourself a radical?
A: My parents were radical enough for everybody. They fought the good fight. I am the poster child for the saying, “I fight so my children can have it better.” I was lucky enough to have been born into a life of opportunity; mine is not a story of struggle. I am very grateful for all that my parents have done for me, and I understand the difficulties faced by others who happen to look like me.
Q: How did you become involved in city government?
A: I got my job in city government almost by chance. My degree [from Long Beach State] was in journalism/public relations and I wanted to work in public relations because I thought it would glamorous and fun. After a few bad experiences with corporate public relations, I learned of an opportunity in Councilman O’Donnell’s office and I took it. I actually ended up being very good at it, so I stayed on.
Q: How do you transfer your interest in journalism to your work in Councilman O’Donnell’s office? 
A: When I was hired by Patrick…along with being his field deputy and legislative deputy, one of my jobs was to manage his press. I write his press releases, update his website, respond to press inquiries, and manage his social media. What I really like about this job was that it included a PR component, which is what I studied in school. What I enjoy most is that it I am not one in a sea of dozens like when I worked at corporate public relations; I am the only one handling this one person.
Politics is also not that different from politics. A great [Long Beach State] political science professor once told me that politics is all about who gets what, when, where, why, and how. Those are the five W’s of journalism.
Q: Do you think your ethnicity or sexual orientation gives you a unique perspective on Long Beach?
A: I do, as a matter of fact. I think it adds a layer to my perspective because Long Beach is supposed to be one of the most diverse cities in the country. On top of being an ethnic minority, I am a gay minority, all of which gives me another level to analyze our city. That being said, I do not need to be entrenched in any cause whether gay or Latino to know what I am. It does not make me more gay or more Latino.
I was born and raised in this city; diversity has always been the status quo. Growing up, I never heard a racial epithet hurled at someone because we were not raised to do that. People come here and are amazed at how open and accepting Long Beach is to everyone.
Editor’s Note: Armando Vasquez Ramos serves as the executive vice president of Communications in the Long Beach Lambda Democratic Club.