The 28-year-old artist and video producer was among dozens of undocumented immigrants featured on the 2012 cover of Time magazine who have “outed” themselves, talking publicly about their status. “As a queer individual, I know what it’s like to be in the shadows and have this secret,” Salgado tells Kurt Andersen. “And when I came out, it was alleviating, it was great.”

Salgado spent eight years getting his journalism degree from Cal State Long Beach while he paid the bills by doing menial jobs, the only type he could find without a green card. He and other undocumented activists created DreamersAdrift in an effort stay creative. Their video series Undocumented and Awkward has also become a viral hit, with skits that highlight the everyday shame that can paralyze undocumented immigrants. Laughing helps, Salgado says. “We didn’t think we were funny, but people liked [the videos] and started passing them on.”

This article was taken from: studio360.org