Jotxs y Recuerdos

Rubén Garza, a Non-Binary Trans poet and artivist from Edinburg, TX, discusses their work with Voces Unidas, a collective that fosters community in the Rio Grande Valley through healing justice and capacity building and Las Imaginistas, an art collective focused on creative placemaking and community engagement.
In this episode, they reflect on their journey of self-discovery, highlighting his struggles with toxic masculinity and internalized homophobia but also the transformative power of writing, queerness, and community.
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Recorded and released in 2022

Esteban Silva, a queer Latino from Pharr, Texas, discusses his journey growing up in the Rio Grande Valley, where he faced challenges hiding his identity due to religious and societal pressures. He recounts a pivotal moment at age seven when his mother explained that same-sex marriage contradicts the Bible. Despite support from teachers, he felt isolated and struggled with his identity. Esteban came out accidentally during his first day at college and found acceptance in Oklahoma, where he pursued a bachelor's in fine arts with a minor in Gothic literature. He also shares his experiences with brujeria, passed down by his grandmother, and reflects on the changes in the Valley's acceptance of queer individuals.
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Recorded and released 2017

Kimberly Sanchez, is a trans woman from San Juan, Texas. She aspires to become a physical therapist, motivated by her mother's 1999 accident. Kimberly shares how she came out at 17, initially hiding her identity due to bathroom access issues and misgendering. However, because of her supportive mom she was able to live her truth. In the tail end of the episode, Julie Sanchez, Kimberly's mom offers advice to other parents with queer and trans children. She says, "I would say that it is kind of hard [to accept them] especially if they are your first child. But they are your children. And they do come from you. You are the mother so accept them the way they are, because, any way they are, they're special."
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Recorded and released 2017

Anel Flores, a queer/lesbian Chicana story maker, discusses her inception and impact of La Otra Taller Nepantla Artist Residency, held February 2021 in Arroyo City, a town in the Rio Grande Valley. Inspired by Gloria Anzaldua's 1995 residency, Flores paid homage to the nurturing environment for artists to create freely. Anel re-created the residency to provide a safe, supportive space for queer, BIPOC artists. In this episode, residency fellows shared their experiences, highlighting the importance of community, feedback, and the healing power of nature.
https://anelflores.com/la-otra-taller-3
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Recorded and released 2022

Allyson Duarte is a queer Latina from McAllen, Texas. She is also a DACA recipient, activist, and graduate student in Philosophy at Texas A&M University. In this episode, she highlights the intersectionality of issues like immigration, queer rights, and environmental racism. Allyson also emphasizes the importance of representation in education, advocating for the inclusion of Ethnic studies in schools. This episode is an oral history and a call to action.
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Recorded and released in 2018