meet our crew: austin davis

The third installment of “Meet Our Crew” series features one of our wonderful volunteers, Austin Davis!

What motivated you to reach out and help the Center?
What motivated me to reach out to the community is that I wanted to share my life with the people who are close to me in my heart and is related to me in general. And I wanted to help out my community to make a better environment and to make this known than it already is.  

What’s your favourite thing about the Center? 
My favourite thing about The Center is it's home - it is a safe building to walk in and not get judged on. It is a great place to know people who actually cares about you and wants to sit and listen – a place to be open.  

What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?
I enjoy singing. I enjoy being educated with a lot of things. I enjoy writing.

Tell us your most favourite thing about Bakersfield? 
If I'm being honest, Bakersfield isn't really a good place to have fun because there isn't much to do here. But I do love going to the antique malls and getting inspired by things that are ancient and enjoying the times when I wasn't existed then.

What’s your favourite event/shop/restaurant in Bakersfield?
My favourite restaurant here in Bakersfield Uricchio's Trattoria, and my favourite event is every event that we (The Center) create as possible that we can for everybody to enjoy themselves. 
 
What place(s) do you enjoy visiting outside of Bakersfield? 
The best place is New York City, I love going to the Rockefeller Center and the Central Park. I have gone to Los Angeles, California as a field trip in elementary and we went to the Museum and I love every structure they have. Would love to go again one day. 

What’s on your playlist? 
If you meant music playlist, the musical “Kiss of the Spider Woman” has a song called “She’s A Woman” and that’s my all time favourite musical. And I have all sorts of mixed genres. 

Who’s your favourite musician and why?
I love Lady Gaga because not only are we the same but I love her because I can relate to what she's saying and the way how we both carry ourselves as human beings on this earth and how we express ourselves. 

What shows are you currently streaming on Netflix?
I don't have Netflix and I don't have a specific show that is on Netflix but I do love watching my favourite film “La Haine” by Mathieu Kassovitz in 1995.
  
What is your favourite movie of all time and why? 
I love “Wicked Woman” movie from 1953 because my favourite actress Billie Nash played Beverley Michaels. I love how she showed sexiness and how she was being a floozy and tried to get at Mister Bannister to leave to Mexico. Best way I can put it. 

 Is there a LGBTQ+ public figure that has inspired you? How so?
Once again I have to say Lady Gaga because she is a spokesperson activist in our community and she does all the best that she can to help the community to become the best people that we can be. Also, the messages in her music are so noticeable that it catches people’s eye. I cherish every inch  of her that God has made her to be.  

Tell us a unique feature about yourself! 
My unique is in the light – I am very enthusiastic with everything I do and that I will be doing in the future. My uniqueness is wordless!

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about the Author

R. Velasco is a Canadian writer new to Bakersfield. She is actively seeking ways to raise community consciousness about LGBTQ issues and topics, one blog post at a time. She is also part of The Center’s Women's Support Group.