“I knew I was living a double life.” – Aldo Badillo on gaining your own voice
Wearing a mask means ignoring a part of yourself. Taking it off means letting go of a world you know – at least for Aldo Badillo, Customer Service Digital Specialist at Hapag-Lloyd, it did. Growing up in Mexico, in a culture shaped by religious traditions and conservative values, there wasn’t much room for difference. He kept his homosexuality a secret. But then he made a radical decision to drop the mask. In this Interview, Aldo speaks about what it cost to stop performing. But also, about what he gained: a voice of his own. And the courage to show up – not just as part of the LGBTQI+ community, but as someone no longer willing to hide.
Hi Aldo, thank you for taking part. You grew up in a religious environment in Mexico. What was that like for you as a young homosexual man?
I always felt that something was different about me, but I didn’t have the language for it. In my family, we went to church every week. My grandparents met in church. Some relatives are pastors. Faith was everywhere – and so were expectations. I tried to be the person they wanted me to be. I dated girls, stayed quiet, and hoped it would all go away. But it didn’t.
You decided to come out, even though it meant risking your relationships. What was the turning point?
At university. I was around 22. I couldn’t sleep, I cried at night. I knew I was living a double life. On the outside, I was the good son, the churchgoer. Inside, I was lost. Then came a moment when I realized I was not only lying to myself but also hurting people by pretending. Especially someone I was close to – she had feelings for me, and I couldn’t keep pretending. That was when I knew: I had to stop hiding. Not just for me, but for others too.
Aldo Badillo, Customer Service Digital Specialist at Hapag-Lloyd
"It reminded me that being true to yourself may cost you something – but it also attracts the people who really matter."
How did your family react?
It was hard. My mom was in shock. My brother and sister-in-law didn’t speak to me for a year. Friends from church disappeared. I had sung in church, been part of the community – suddenly, I was out. And I was alone. But in that space, something new started: I was finally honest. I knew I was brave. And that gave me strength.
What helped you through that time?
Friends. Real friends. People who saw me, not the version I had to perform. One friend from university worked with me later at Hapag-Lloyd, and he kept telling me how strong I was for choosing truth over comfort. That meant a lot. It reminded me that being true to yourself may cost you something – but it also attracts the people who really matter.
Was there a moment when things began to shift?
Yes. My family came back. My brother said sorry. I got to know my nieces. It took time, but we reconnected. And at work, I found friends who supported me. That was a big shift: realizing that I wasn’t alone. There are people who will stand by you when you’re true to yourself.
Today, you speak out as part of Hapag-Lloyd’s LGBTQ+ community. What changed?
For a long time, I stayed quiet at work too. But one day, I thought: if I don’t speak, who will? So we started a video campaign in Mexico for Pride. It was the first time we ever had something like that in our office. Some people were skeptical. Others joined. That’s how it begins: not by waiting for the perfect moment, but by showing up. And by inviting others in. This created a ripple effect. Since then, the support from Hapag-Lloyd has grown. Our local Pride activities became part of a broader diversity strategy, and we now have stronger regional networks and allies. It shows that when you take the first step, the system can move with you.
What does having a voice mean to you now?
It means being honest – even when it’s uncomfortable, being visible for those who can’t be, it means saying: you don’t have to hide. You’re not wrong. That’s what I would have needed to hear back then. And now, I can be that voice for someone else.
Love is not one-size-fits-all. We all deserve to live without fear. When we accept each other, we create a better place for everyone. It starts with listening – and with letting people speak. And sometimes, it just starts with one person saying: I’m here. This is who I am.
Thank you Aldo for your courage and the inspiring story you shared with us!
© Hapag-Lloyd AG