NASA Proud! Justin Bautista is an ally for all
2016-06-27
For Pride Month, Johnson Space Center is honoring a few employees whose character, courage and commitment have helped shape them into the people they are today.
Justin Bautista, an electronics engineer at JSC, doesn’t think of himself as “anything too special.”
But to many in the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender community, what makes this modest secretary for the Out and Allied Employee Resource Group (ERG) at JSC an invaluable ally is his intrinsic belief that we are all equals.
“I’m just a person concerned about the well-being of others,” Bautista said. “I believe very much in the ideals enshrined in our Constitution. I suppose that has a lot to do with my upbringing … but I never understood bigotry.”
One moment that stands out to Bautista is his experience at the San Diego Pride Parade back in 2014.
“It was my first Pride Parade, and I just felt this overwhelming feeling of empathy and joy,” Bautista said. “This is before the marriage equality ruling from the Supreme Court. And I saw families being who they were, expressing themselves without any fear of retaliation, hatred or bigotry. I was with my friend, and I started crying, I was just so overcome with emotion. It really sank in after [the] Orlando [nightclub tragedy] that all the gay clubs that I go to, or the drag shows that I go see … these are safe places for people to be themselves when they can’t be themselves anywhere else. I have the privilege of holding hands with the person I love, and showing affection, no problem. Other people don’t.”
Even in the wake of a tragedy as overwhelming as Orlando, Bautista is encouraged by the progress being made around him, especially at JSC.
“I think the fact that the ERGs exist really shows that we have a supportive and accepting culture,” Bautista said. “I can’t speak for other centers, but I know the climate around here is very welcoming.”
Last year, the Out and Allied ERG, along with JSC Director Ellen Ochoa, marched in Houston’s Pride Parade. This year, JSC Deputy Director Mark Geyer showed his support at the parade and festival.
In addition to Bautista’s personal crusade to make the world a better place, he’s also doing his part to make improvements in the realm of human spaceflight. One such project is a 5 x 2015 fast-track flight hardware project, the Personal Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Monitor (PCO2M).
“I am so proud and honored to have participated and successfully completed a flight project this early in my career,” Bautista said. “I talked to a lot of engineers in my directorate, and a lot have told me how they have been here for 20, 25 and 30-plus years and have not have the opportunity to work on a flight project.
“After working full-time for about six months, I was put on the PCO2M project and was able to see the project from the beginning to the end. It was successfully launched and is currently being used by the crew,” Bautista said.
Another potential feather in his cap? He’s also working on a Class I-E project for 2016: the Advanced Passive Thermal Experiment.
When he’s not at JSC, you’d most likely find Bautista hiking, exploring or riding his motorcycle, which he likens to a meditative experience. When he gets the opportunity, he also enjoys traveling and concerts.
“Music concerts and traveling kind of go together hand in hand with me,” Bautista said.
Interested in becoming an ally? There’s a training for that, which Bautista himself has taken and recommends. The Out and Allied ERG is proud to bring the course Become an Ally in the Workplace to JSC on June 29 from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. in Building 12, Room 134. This class will be taught by Lowell Cain, director of Purdue’s LGBTQ Center.
This seminar explores the unique needs and concerns LGBT people face in the workplace and builds each participant's knowledge, skills and abilities for creating a more inclusive and affirming community. Topics include LGBT terminology and symbols; history; concepts of privilege and identity development; and commonalties between various targeted groups.
Registration for this training is required. Please register via SATERN.
Catherine Ragin Williams
NASA Johnson Space Center
Justin Bautista, an electronics engineer at JSC, doesn’t think of himself as “anything too special.”
But to many in the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender community, what makes this modest secretary for the Out and Allied Employee Resource Group (ERG) at JSC an invaluable ally is his intrinsic belief that we are all equals.
“I’m just a person concerned about the well-being of others,” Bautista said. “I believe very much in the ideals enshrined in our Constitution. I suppose that has a lot to do with my upbringing … but I never understood bigotry.”
One moment that stands out to Bautista is his experience at the San Diego Pride Parade back in 2014.
“It was my first Pride Parade, and I just felt this overwhelming feeling of empathy and joy,” Bautista said. “This is before the marriage equality ruling from the Supreme Court. And I saw families being who they were, expressing themselves without any fear of retaliation, hatred or bigotry. I was with my friend, and I started crying, I was just so overcome with emotion. It really sank in after [the] Orlando [nightclub tragedy] that all the gay clubs that I go to, or the drag shows that I go see … these are safe places for people to be themselves when they can’t be themselves anywhere else. I have the privilege of holding hands with the person I love, and showing affection, no problem. Other people don’t.”
Even in the wake of a tragedy as overwhelming as Orlando, Bautista is encouraged by the progress being made around him, especially at JSC.
“I think the fact that the ERGs exist really shows that we have a supportive and accepting culture,” Bautista said. “I can’t speak for other centers, but I know the climate around here is very welcoming.”
Last year, the Out and Allied ERG, along with JSC Director Ellen Ochoa, marched in Houston’s Pride Parade. This year, JSC Deputy Director Mark Geyer showed his support at the parade and festival.
In addition to Bautista’s personal crusade to make the world a better place, he’s also doing his part to make improvements in the realm of human spaceflight. One such project is a 5 x 2015 fast-track flight hardware project, the Personal Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Monitor (PCO2M).
“I am so proud and honored to have participated and successfully completed a flight project this early in my career,” Bautista said. “I talked to a lot of engineers in my directorate, and a lot have told me how they have been here for 20, 25 and 30-plus years and have not have the opportunity to work on a flight project.
“After working full-time for about six months, I was put on the PCO2M project and was able to see the project from the beginning to the end. It was successfully launched and is currently being used by the crew,” Bautista said.
Another potential feather in his cap? He’s also working on a Class I-E project for 2016: the Advanced Passive Thermal Experiment.
When he’s not at JSC, you’d most likely find Bautista hiking, exploring or riding his motorcycle, which he likens to a meditative experience. When he gets the opportunity, he also enjoys traveling and concerts.
“Music concerts and traveling kind of go together hand in hand with me,” Bautista said.
Interested in becoming an ally? There’s a training for that, which Bautista himself has taken and recommends. The Out and Allied ERG is proud to bring the course Become an Ally in the Workplace to JSC on June 29 from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. in Building 12, Room 134. This class will be taught by Lowell Cain, director of Purdue’s LGBTQ Center.
This seminar explores the unique needs and concerns LGBT people face in the workplace and builds each participant's knowledge, skills and abilities for creating a more inclusive and affirming community. Topics include LGBT terminology and symbols; history; concepts of privilege and identity development; and commonalties between various targeted groups.
Registration for this training is required. Please register via SATERN.
Catherine Ragin Williams
NASA Johnson Space Center