I wrote this paper to summarize my findings after spending a month in Ecuador, interacting with and getting to know members of disenfranchised communities. To make a long, 16 page story short, I learned a lot about the importance of pride in identity and belonging. All of these groups showed me how having pride in your roots and accepting the equal pride of other identities is key to living truthfully and meaningfully. This was especially salient in regards to my sexual orientation, which has been budding these past few years. The people of Ecuador inspire me to work harder everyday to take pride in who I am, and to encourage the people around me to do the same.