It is officially Hispanic Heritage Month and we at Avenir want to take this opportunity to celebrate the many Hispanic LGBTQ+ activists, authors, and political figures who have been trailblazers in the fight for queer liberation. We know that people of color are often sidelined in these conversations, but without their tireless contributions, the strides we have made as a community and as a society would not have been possible.
This Hispanic Heritage Month, we invite you to join us in learning about the past, present and future of this community, while finding new ways to celebrate and support their ongoing struggles. We have compiled educational resources and actionable items below to help you commemorate LGBTQ+ Hispanic heritage this month.
Immigration Equality
Immigration Equality has been cultivating a safe haven for immigrants facing discrimination based on their sexual orientation, gender identity, and/or HIV status for over 25 years. This organization strives for a safer future for LGBTQ+ and HIV-positive immigrants, by supporting them through direct legal services, impact litigation, and policy advocacy. Immigration Equality also supports LGBTQ+ undocumented immigrants in ICE detention, who are at risk for violence and abuse.
Check out more about Immigration Equality and get involved at https://immigrationequality.org today.
The Latinx Arts Alliance
The Latinx Arts Alliance is a Southern California based coalition of non-profit art organizations, hoping to develop a more equitable landscape for Latinx artists. Through advocating for inclusivity in major art spaces, LAA hopes to bring greater recognition to the role of Latinx artists in defining art culture. Despite their lack of visibility, artists of color have always been arbiters of taste and trends in art history, and LAA strives to bring mainstream attention to this robust history.
With many upcoming events and exhibitions, there are countless ways to support this organization this Hispanic Heritage Month, so visit their website at https://latinxartsalliance.org.
TransLatin@ Coalition (TLC)
The TransLatin@ Coalition (TLC) works to provide education and resources to empower leadership within the Trans Latinx community. This organization was founded in 2009 by Transgender, Gender nonconforming and Intersex (TGI) immigrant women in Los Angeles, California, in hopes of addressing the needs of their community by bringing attention to its unique struggles. Through extensive programming and outreach, TLC brings vital education and resources to the Trans Latinx community of Southern California.
Support the TransLatin@ Coalition (TLC) by visiting their website https://www.translatinacoalition.org today.
The Wall Las Memorias
The Wall Las Memorias is a community health organization serving the low-income Latinx LGBTQ+ population by providing comprehensive education to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS, reduce mental health stigma, bring awareness to trans and non-binary identity, and establish community building in underserved areas. The Wall Las Memorias has also brought continuous healing to the Los Angeles LGBTQ+ community, having erected the first ever nationally funded AIDS monument back in 2004, which has served beacon of remembrance.
Learn more at https://www.thewalllasmemorias.org/home today.
Thank you for joining us in learning more about organizations that are making an impact within the Hispanic LGBTQ+ community. As we continue to expand our awareness of prominent Hispanic figures and organizations throughout this month, we also take time to celebrate the Hispanic activists and community organizers who fought and died in the fight for liberation.
