Jerry Cantu is a native of the Coastal Bend Area, and was born and raised in Sinton, TX. Upon graduating high school, he did relocate to Houston to pursue a career in Veterinary Medicine, while minoring in Finance. After becoming a Certified Veterinary Technician, he held position with Veterinary Clinics & hospital in the Greenway and Rice University areas happily for the duration of his time in that city.
While there, Jerry is very proud of becoming an advocate / volunteer for local organizations such as AIDs Foundation of Houston, HRC (Human Rights Campaign), and Pride Montrose Group. Which, entailed; sit-in demonstrations, volunteering at local shelters, fund raising, and peer counseling for individuals who may not otherwise have had access to such resources.
During such volunteer events, Jerry did meet and become engaged to his fiancée at the time, Chance. Both delighted not only being activists in the Houston area, but often traveling to the Texas State Capitol to be part of gay rights leaders’ demonstrations pushing for change and more protections for LGBT+ people. (Especially for gay marriage). After a forced decision on Jerry’s part, to relocate back to South Texas to assist with ailing parents, both decided to end their engagement for many reasons, one mainly having to do with the inequality strongly felt in Texas at the time. They do still remain close and often times see each other, as their time spent together rallying behind the causes of our community largely shape the individual Jerry is and hopes to become.
Coming home Jerry is happy to be surrounded by generations of family. He did however want to continue the fight and growth for our LGBTQ+ community that he so vigorously championed in Houston. Wanting to be a voice and source of solace for the forgotten, the abandoned, the unloved and the marginalized. Shortly after returning Jerry joined the Board of the Coastal Bend Wellness Foundation. Being a part of and being able to see a lot of their efforts and good works being impactful to the benefit of our LGBTQ+ brothers and sisters.
Since returning to the area Jerry has spent over a decade in the banking industry. In November 23’, Jerry celebrated his 5th year anniversary with current company Rally Community Credit Union (formerly NavyArmy) Starting first as Member Service Rep / Lending Officer, now holds position as Quality Assurance Coach, ensuring the best service to improve lives and drive possibilities for their members. Jerry is proud to say, for the asking of support, Rally has contributed in the past to Coastal Bend Pride Center and Pride Corpus Christi events and hopes to further that support with his company.
Jerry also as a side project and in the service of friends, does assist local establishment The Hidden Door, the premier gay bar in Corpus Christi, opened since 1980. He provides time and effort to promote their events and shows, along with contributing to maintain their social media. The decision to assist also stemming from their countless fundraising events to donate and support to several non-profit organizations. Jerry was happy to have represented, riding along with The Hidden Door in the Pride Parade ’23.
To date Jerry continues to sit on the board of CBWF. He ambitiously hopes to utilize his affiliation with The Hidden Door, CBWF, and now Pride Corpus Christi to foster a symbiotic, cohesive relationship between them, as all 3 organizations have continued to serve the needs of the LGBTQ+ community in the Coastal Bend area.
In a time where we see and feel the impact of growth and change in South Texas, Jerry’s want is to be part of a Legacy that helped contribute historically to progressively moving our community forward. Promoting inclusivity & equality to such an end, that all LGBTQ+ individuals and allies in our area and beyond, know and feel the message: “that all are welcome at our table”. With the help of Pride Corpus Christi, Jerry hopes to make this world a happier place.
