Meet Pato Arquero

In the southern hemisphere, there is this long and narrow country with an amazing 6400 km coastal line, one could think that this country would have a long history of surfing. It doesn't. Surfing here had its tiny start in the '70s, but never really took off until about 2010. Pato was convinced to try out surfing by some colleagues in 2014. They are not the typical surfer being teachers, surfers in Chile are often more wealthy, cool, world-traveled people. They are masculine hetero guys and have picked up the surf lingo and carry themselves with cool swag. For those that are not in that group, they might look a bit intimidating. Pato still finds them intimidating. His favorite wave is at a beach break, it's an easy wave for beginners. The vibe there is friendly and safe, both physical and mental. There is no strong current that will bring you way out or any rocks that you could get smashed on. Just over to the corner there are some competition quality waves, and more advanced surfers, those that are a bit more intimidating. Both the surfers and the waves. Pato had hoped that he would connect with more queer surfers, but over the years that he has surfed, he hasn’t connected with any other queer people in the lineup, or elsewhere.

Coming out

He was only a kid when he realized that he was gay, but coming out wasn’t easy. He was fighting to not care about what other people were thinking. In this conservative surrounding, everything seemed to guide him into something he couldn’t identify as. He had to fight the false expectations in his mind, and trust his inner voice. The one that told him to seek the creative. He was never a loud person, he was the quiet one, with maté in his hand. His voice came through his paintings, his music, and his embroidery. He found a way to express himself, and little did he know, that this would be his career as well. Not all kids are into creative arts, but the ones that he helps express themselves through the art gives him a purpose, and it inspires him to live honestly with his feelings.

Chile has been one of the most conservative countries in South America, but the later years have changed for a more progressive politics regarding LGBTQ rights. Pato has luckily never faced any negativity, but he still misses the community. His group of friends are mostly straight guys and girls. Looking to find love or just other gay guy to connect with is difficult. He is lonely in a way where he misses other guys that understands him, in a way straight friends never can.

Queer Tango

He is walking through narrow roads between colorful houses that make the footsteps reverberate between the buildings and the pavement. The sunset adds an extra warm orange color to the houses and mountains. The streets are filled with a delicious smell of spices and all the different food that the restaurants are preparing. He can hear and see people coming together for dinner, there is lively chatter all around him. People have their group, just like he also wants. He arrives at an old building and as he is walking into the room with a wooden floor, most of the people are turning their heads towards him. They all smile. Friendly faces. Safe space. People are already dancing. Almost floating across the room. Legs intertwined, holding around each other, close. They can feel each other's heartbeat. These two guys are moving like one person, on beat with the music, passionate looking into each other's eyes. It doesn't take long before Pato has found his partner. He puts his hand between the shoulder blades. His partner put his arm on his shoulder. First, they just stand a little, breathe. And when the music hits the beat they move. It is almost like surfing. Connecting with the ocean, being on a wave, moving as one with the ocean, listening to what he can do on the wave. The heart beats fast. Adrenaline rushes through the body, both in surf and tango. But it also clams him down in a way. It transports him out of his normal workdays. He has to be in the moment, not care or think about the everyday struggles, just be present. In a way, both of these activities give him peace of mind, almost mindful.

Creating the community through queer tango makes him happy. More people are joining and it keeps growing. Most of the people of Chile are supportive of the queer community and that makes it easier for the younger generation to live honest as who they are. Patos love of the ocean brings him back to the surfboard, back to the waves, he will never stop that. As surfing is a young mainstream sport in Chile, there aren’t a lot of openly queer surfers in Chile, or maybe there is, he just hasn’t found them yet.