A Sexual Health Specialist With A Passion For Fashion: Meet Pablo Herrera
Our Creative Associate Director, Choya Randolph, caught up with Pablo Herrera, a Sexual Health Specialist at Metro Inclusive Health in Florida, to discuss the importance of sexual health and his love for serving a fire look.
You are a whole ass model. I don’t care what nobody say! When did you realize that you had a passion for fashion?
OMG THANK YOU! It took a while to step into my power, but I’m HERE! I think it all started in August of 2019. I was working the kink event for Metro and I was required to dress for the occasion. Since the event was showcasing the kink community (bondage, pole-dancing, leather, all that fun stuff), I wore a leather harness, fishnets, 4-inch patent leather heels, and a leather hat. I was practically naked, but I didn’t feel out of place. Oddly enough, I realized that I feel the most comfortable whenever I stand out.
Seeing the support I got from people after I posted a picture of that outfit was my lightbulb moment. Not that I needed a nod of approval from anyone, but seeing the overwhelming amount of support and acceptance from people was nice. It let me know “Hey, we see what you’re doing, and it works!”. This night highlighted that my expression shouldn’t be confined to the gender binary, and I should start having fun with my looks.
How would you describe your style? Also, where do you shop so fellow bad bitches can go there too?
I would describe my style as a glamorous bisexual cowboy on the back of a horse’s skeleton while covered in glitter and rhinestones.
I shop at a variety of thrift and shoe stores, but here are my favorites:
@slyfoxthrift
@eclecticrevival3
Goodwill
Avalon Exchange (Tampa & Winter Park)
Revolve (St. Pete & Ybor)
Call It Spring
Onlymaker
Fashion Nova
ASOS
As a sexual health specialist, why is promoting good sexual health important to you?
Promoting sexual health is important because it’s a fundamental part of our development that is overlooked by public school systems. We also tend to forget that sexual health is still an important component of our overall health. Rates of STIs are higher for people ages 15-24, and this is due to the lack of education and the stigma associated with sex and STIs. This, in turn, will keep people from wanting to explore their sexuality or seek testing and educational resources. I’m thankful that I have a career that helps close the gap between people and sexual health resources.
What’s something about sexual health that you wish everyone knew?
I wish more people knew about their local sexual health resources! There are so many STI clinics that offer full testing services at little to no cost. Even if you don’t need to get tested, there is no shame in visiting your local center to start the conversation :)
With it being National Hispanic Heritage Month , are there any Hispanic and/or Latinx people who inspire you as it pertains to fashion or sexual health?
Selena Quintanilla is one of my favorite fashion inspirations lately. She really embodied the western glam look that I’m going for. I still draw inspiration from old performances. The cow print? The studded bras?? RHINESTONES??? Sign me up.
My recent inspiration for sexual health is Andrea Meza, AKA Miss Universe 2020. She recently spent a day at GMHC (a non-profit health center) in New York City. There, she was tested for HIV and shared her experience on Instagram. She used her massive platform to highlight the importance of testing and how simple the process was. She even mentioned the resources available for people living with HIV! With one post, she was able to clarify any misinformation about HIV to her 2.1 million followers. She also looked incredible while doing all of this, so that was also inspirational.
Please plug yourself! Don’t be humble!
Of course! If y’all have any additional questions regarding sexual health or wanna see my latest looks, follow me on Instagram @pabloherrerajr. Thanks for reading my thoughts, and thank you for the questions, Choya <3
