Today we’d like to introduce you to Michael.
Hi Michael, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
In 2013, I experienced a loss that changed the course of my life forever. I had been working as a substance abuse therapist with a young man at a methadone clinic who had endured unspeakable trauma. His mother trafficked him in exchange for crack, and as a result, he became HIV-positive due to the assaults. As a way to cope with the abuse and the deep depression that followed, he turned to drugs and engaged in survival sex to obtain necessities like clothing. The clinic was his attempt at recovery, but tragically, he took his life after NYC Pride weekend.
This young man had a unique sense of style—he was often seen wearing a yellow Nike shirt that he loved, which became symbolic of his strength; he didn’t want to appear houseless. On the outside, he appeared fine, but I knew that deep down, he was desperately searching for something we all yearn for: love, acceptance, and belonging. His death hit me profoundly, and it ignited a desire to do something to honor his memory and help others facing similar struggles.
Not long after, I received word about three unhoused gay teens in need of resources who were couch-hopping at the home of a priest. I knew I had the background to offer counseling, but I also realized I had something else—an excess of nice designer fashion-forward clothing. I thought to myself, “Why not combine these two things?” So, I donated 30 items of clothing from my closet, and after dropping them off, I sat down with the teens and listened to their stories. In that moment, I knew I had to do more.
That simple act of giving was the seed from which Out My Closet grew. What started as a small, humble initiative to provide free clothing and resources to LGBTQ+ youth, especially those who were unhoused or underserved, has since blossomed into something far greater. Over time, we expanded our offerings—adding shoes, accessories, makeup, and even special occasion attire for events like prom, quinceañeras, and other important milestones. We created an elevated mobile pop-up boutique experience, where guests could choose clothing that matched their style and body type, offering them not only fashion but also empowerment and dignity.
Out My Closet is incredibly personal to me. It’s about providing the LGBTQ+ community, especially those who are marginalized, with the resources and support they need to express themselves authentically. It’s about letting them know they are seen, loved, and valued. We’ve gone from delivering those first 30 items to now, where we deliver at least 8oo articles per pop-up. To date, we have surpassed 60,000 hand-selected items chosen from our events. And every single delivery, every interaction, reminds me why we do this work.
Along the way, we’ve hosted special events like Trans Day of Resilience/Visibility, where we honor transgender women of color—acknowledging their struggles, but also celebrating their strength and resilience. These are the moments that drive me to continue pushing forward, knowing how vital this work is to the community.
Looking back on everything, I realize that this journey with Out My Closet is much more than just a response to a tragedy—it’s fulfilling a prophecy I received when I was 16. A deacon once told me that I would be a healer. At the time, I didn’t fully understand what that meant, but today, I see how this work—the act of bringing hope, light, and love to those who need it most—is exactly what he was speaking of.
We’ve made a real difference, but I know this is just the beginning. I’m excited about the future and the possibility of expanding Out My Closet into new regions like Central Florida, and up the East coast. Our mission is clear: to continue empowering, uplifting, and providing resources to those who need it most. And as we move forward, I’m deeply inspired by the resilience of the people we serve, and I’m more committed than ever to ensuring they always have access to the support and love they deserve.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
No, it hasn’t been a smooth road at all, but every struggle has been a learning experience, and it’s only made the journey that much more meaningful.
One of the biggest challenges has been funding and sustainability. Out My Closet started out as a small, grassroots effort, and while the need for our services has grown, keeping the momentum going financially has been an ongoing challenge. We are volunteer-based, and as the demand for our services increased, we realized that in order to continue growing, we needed more support—whether it was through partnerships, sponsorships, or access to larger corporate resources. There were times when I wasn’t sure how we would manage to keep the doors open or maintain the mobile pop-up shops, but the community and supporters who believe in our mission have kept us going.
Another challenge has been the emotional toll of the work. As much as I love what we do, it’s heavy. We’re working with people who’ve been through unimaginable trauma, and hearing their stories can sometimes be overwhelming. But I believe deeply in the work we’re doing, and I’ve learned to cope with the emotional weight by leaning on my team and taking time for self-care.
And let’s not forget about logistics—transporting thousands of items, managing the inventory for pop-up shops, and organizing events requires an immense amount of coordination and planning. There are times when it feels like a juggling act, but I’ve learned to take it one step at a time and ask for help when needed. Building a team of passionate and dedicated volunteers has been crucial in making all of this possible.
But despite these struggles, every challenge has only made us stronger. What keeps me going is the impact we’ve seen—knowing that we’ve been able to provide clothing, dignity, and hope to those who need it most. It hasn’t been easy, but it’s been worth every obstacle because I’ve witnessed firsthand the positive change we’ve made in the lives of the individuals and communities we serve. And I truly believe that with each challenge we overcome, we’re building a foundation for even greater impact in the future.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Out My Closet is not just a nonprofit; it’s an immersive experience that blends the power of fashion, philanthropy, and empowerment in a way that’s both unique and impactful. At its core, Out My Closet is dedicated to providing under-resourced and unhoused LGBTQ+ youth and adults with the opportunity to express themselves authentically through fashion. We offer free clothing, shoes, accessories, and even beauty products, but it’s the way we present these items that makes us stand out.
I’ve had a deep passion for fashion and fine fragrance development for many years. Before founding Out My Closet, I was heavily involved in fashion philanthropy, working with an organization to bring high-quality fashion and education to underserved communities through NYC Fashion Week. My background in cosmetic R&D/Fine Fragrance Development further helped me understand the art of crafting elevated experiences. I’m particularly drawn to the details—the way a fragrance can evoke emotion and create a lasting impression, just like a carefully curated fashion collection can. This understanding of the finer things in life has shaped the way we run Out My Closet.
I also attended the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT), where I studied Media Communications with a focus on advertising and marketing. The skills I gained at FIT have been invaluable in my approach to Out My Closet. I’m a stickler for presentation, for the visual storytelling that happens when you walk into one of our pop-up boutiques. Fashion isn’t just about clothing; it’s about creating a narrative, an experience that transports the person walking into our boutique. I wanted our boutiques to reflect that level of sophistication and intentionality.
What sets Out My Closet apart is the experience we provide. We don’t just throw clothes onto racks; we create an elevated, curated shopping experience that celebrates art and fashion. Our pop-up shops are carefully designed to feel like a high-end boutique. We use mannequins to display key looks, ensuring that each piece has its own moment to shine. Each boutique is meticulously arranged, with clothing grouped by color, season, and style. It’s a carefully thought-out layout designed to make each individual feel like they’re in a store where they’re truly valued, where the clothes are not just handouts, but curated selections chosen specifically for their unique tastes and identities.
The attention to detail in our displays, the lighting, the careful arrangement of clothing and accessories—it’s all done with the aim of creating a sensory experience that makes each person feel like they’re stepping into something special. This isn’t just about providing clothes; it’s about elevating the experience so that each person can walk away feeling not just supported, but also seen and celebrated. We believe that clothing, like fragrance, should make a statement, and our boutique setup is designed to reflect that philosophy.
One of the things I’m most proud of is how far we’ve come in making high-quality fashion accessible to people who otherwise wouldn’t have access to it. We’ve helped countless individuals dress with dignity, allowing them to feel empowered, express themselves fully, and walk into the world with confidence. Whether it’s through our daily deliveries or our special events like Trans Day of Resilience, we’re providing more than just clothing—we’re offering empowerment, community, and a sense of belonging.
What truly sets us apart is the belief that fashion is transformative. It’s not just about looking good—it’s about feeling good. Our carefully curated pop-up boutiques are designed to give every person the space to choose clothing that resonates with them, clothing that affirms their gender expression, their identity, and their sense of self. And when someone walks out of our boutique, they don’t just walk away with clothes—they walk away with a renewed sense of pride and self-worth.
This work, this vision—it’s more than a job; it’s a passion. And as we continue to expand, I’m excited to bring that level of thoughtfulness, craftsmanship, and empowerment to more communities across the country.
If you had to, what characteristic of yours would you give the most credit to?
The quality I would say is most important to my success is my “Get It Done” attitude combined with an unwavering drive. When I set my mind to something, there’s no “no” in my vocabulary. I always find a way to make it happen. There are challenges, there are obstacles, but my mindset is to keep pushing, keep improving, and always make things better. Whether it’s refining our systems, making our pop-up shops more efficient, or ensuring the experience we provide is even more beautiful and meaningful, I’m always striving for progress.
I’m not just a “get it done” kind of person—I’m also deeply creative. I’m always thinking of ways to elevate what we do, whether it’s through new ideas for our events, enhancing the look and feel of our boutique setups, or improving our outreach strategies. I thrive on creativity and innovation, and that’s one of the driving forces behind Out My Closet.
But it’s not just about doing things quickly or making them pretty—it’s about being strategic. I’m a very contemplative person; I like to take a moment to think about each decision carefully. I look at the big picture, consider all the angles, and plan my next steps strategically. This thoughtful approach has been key in building Out My Closet into what it is today.
At the same time, I am deeply empathetic. I truly feel the struggles of the people we serve, and that emotional connection drives me to do everything I can to make a positive impact in their lives. I care deeply about every person we help, and I approach each interaction with love and compassion.
But I’m also a bit of a comedian—I love to laugh and have fun (DAD JOKESTER reputation). There’s a balance I strive to maintain: I’m a driven, focused individual, but I don’t take myself too seriously. I believe humor and silliness help create an atmosphere of joy and ease, which is so important, especially in the work we do. People need to feel comfortable, safe, and supported, and humor is an incredible tool to break down barriers and create connections.
In the end, my passion for improvement, creativity, empathy, and fun—all of these things—are what fuel my drive to continue pushing Out My Closet forward. It’s not just about what we do, but how we do it, and how much love and care we put into every step. That’s what I believe makes all the difference.
Pricing:
- www.outmycloset.org (donate here), we are trying to raise $60k+ to complete our years’ work and match/exceed our 2024 reach of having conducted 31 POP-UP events.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.outmycloset.org
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/outmyclosetorg
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/outmyclosetorg
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/18732375/
- Twitter: https://x.com/OutMyCloset
- Other: https://vimeo.com/outmycloset
Image Credits
Cristina Acosta
