First-generation gay LatinX Chicano model Elíseo Equihua is one of Rihanna's cosmetic brand faces

Born and raised in East Los Angeles, Elíseo Equihua is the first generation of gay LatinX Chicano artist, model, actor and DJ. His personal pronouns are He, Him, His. He comes from immigrant parents who started their own nonprofit to end starvation. Giving back is deeply interwoven into his identity. He believes people in the LGBTQIA+ community experiences mental health issues more often than the average person. Depression, PTSD, anxiety disorders, and thoughts of suicide are not uncommon in the community. His parents accepted him as he is, but wasn’t accepted by his peers in school. Time has changed since then, and he feels blessed to be where is now. Pride has an impact on his everyday life. Whenever he takes a walk around this city that he loves, he sees the Pride Flag and thinks how lucky he is to live in a time when it’s accepted to display the flag front and centre. Fashion is one of the many tools he uses to express art. He was recently seen covered for Rihanna's cosmetic brand. (Photos: Elíseo Equihua/ Instagram)