Today we’d like to introduce you to Zackery Yarborough.
Hi Zackery, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
About two and half years ago, I had noticed there was no representation on social media for the Lgbtq+ community with the fandom of a Universal Studios theme parks. There were loads when it came to Disney, but nothing for the other parks. So I started building a brand and a community creating and reposting fans’ pictures while at Universal theme parks. Thus a community of LGBTQ+ fans became the Instagram page GaysofUniversal. Not only did I repost their photos, but also created local events like scavenger hunts, meet-ups, trivia nights online and fun photo competitions on Instagram. Also became involved with collaborating with small shops to show off their craft & brand to my followers on Instagram by working with them to do giveaways and sponsor contests. While that is a great hobby, on my personal Instagram WaltsApprentice I use that to showcase local eats & small locally own shops throughout central. I have a strong passion to make sure that their voice is heard over the big companies that get all the attention.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Overall, running a page like GaysofUniversal can sometimes be a little bumpy. I fall into small pitfalls of making sure to represent a diverse community not just always the same time of person. In the gay community there are more representation of one type of branch, while others get overlooked. So I always try to provide as much as I can from the photos I am tagged in. But most of the time there isn’t really drama, and the main focus is to just have fun with it and bring a positive fun vibe always.
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?
Well, ironically even though I run a page for fans of universal studios, I work for Walt Disney World. I work deep in the jungles of Disney’s Animal kingdom at Guest Relations. What I am most proud of majority the time is turning a situation around and making sure someone’s vacation goes correctly from thereon. What’s makes me perhaps different then others is my attention to detail, trying to think ten steps ahead for the Guest to make sure their trip is flawless and more enjoyable.
What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
What I love about our city is that it’s constantly growing and evolving and that the local life is slowly growing and thriving. Also that our city is so embracing to the LGBTQ+ community and making friendly environments for us to feel safe. What I dislike about our city besides the crazy traffic and always ongoing construction, is perhaps, there is nothing a central location like other cities that their are a strip of local bars, restaurants and stores that are lgbt run, like for example Wilton manors in south Florida or boys town in Chicago. Instead, it’s scattered throughout the city.
Contact Info:
- Email: Gays.of.universal@gmail.com
- Instagram: GaysofUniversal
- Twitter: GaysofUniversal
Image Credits
Dakota Sebastian, Steven Penn, Corina Linnette, Theo Mayhall.
