It may be the middle of October, but it is the last day of Hispanic Heritage Month– which begins September 15 and ends on October 15, to coincide with the independence days of multiple Latin American Countries. Here are four Hispanic activists from the past and present our team enjoined learning about and reflecting on this month. Check them out!
Sylvia Rivera
Sylvia was a gay liberation and trans rights activist. She co-founded STAR (Street Transvestite Action Revolutionaries) with Marsha P. Johnson and was present during the Stonewall Uprising, a clash between LGBTQ+ protestors and police outside the Stonewall Inn in New York City. Many see Stonewall as the beginning of the LGBTQ+ rights movement. Sylvia is remembered as an unapologetic advocate for trans people, during a time when most people, including those fighting for gay and lesbian liberation, were hostile towards trans people. Her legacy reminds us that Hispanic trans women have always led our movement.
Pedro Zamora
Pedro was known for being the first openly gay man with AIDS to be represented in the media. He had a role on the popular reality series, “The Real World” on MTV. He brought international attention to HIV/AIDS and was recognized by President Clinton as “humanizing” and “personalizing” people living with HIV. Pedro was also one half of the first same-sex commitment ceremony aired on TV when he exchanged vows with his partner, Sean Sasser.
Julio Salgado
Julio is an undocumented, queer activist and artist. His art focuses on the DREAM Act, migrant rights movement, activism and exposing injustice. He is the co-founder of DreamersAdrift, a media platform led by. undocumented creatives with the goal of taking back the undocumented narrative through videos, art, music, spoken word and poetry. He is also the Migrant Storytelling Manager for the Center for Cultural Power, a cultural strategy nonprofit that activates and mobilizes BIPOC artists to envision a world in which cultural, economic and political power are distributed equitably, and where all human beings can live in harmony with nature.
Elia Chino
Elia is the founder of FLAS (Fundación Latino Americana Contra El Sida). FLAS focuses on HIV/AIDS prevention, education, and provides the community with an endless amount of resources to help meet basic physical needs as well as mental and emotional needs.
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