Daniela Ramirez

Professor Jen Byrd

WGST 2310-001

13 November 2017

Outspoken Event Reflection

On October 16th Gen-X attended and volunteered at the annual outspoken event that

showcases LGBTQ speakers and provides a space for people to discuss the issues that plague

this community. This years speaker was Julio Salgado who is a queer artist from California that

also has Mexican heritage. He talked about the issues that he has with his sexual orientation,

identity, career, and the fact that he is one of many undocumented people living in the United

States. Even with all these barriers he had to overcome Julio still kept his head high and focused

on what would make him successful, which was being an artist that advocates for queer

undocumented youth.

Going to this program had made me feel like I wasnt alone, like there were people who

had similar situations as me and those I love. Even though I myself am not undocumented, I have

very close family members and friends who are, and this event reminded me that no matter how

scary it gets that its going to be alright if we work together. This event was closely related to

our class and learning community because it is a form of activism. Julio even described himself

as an activist. He was using his voice and experiences to bring awareness to an issue that not

many think about, which is the fact that there are undocumented people that are also queer. He

also uses his art as a form of activism and to tell his story.
 This program taught me many things that will definitely stick with me for a very long

time. I learned that even though undocumented people are aware of the looming danger they face

with the prospect of being deported, they arent always looking to cry. He said that many times

people search for the sob story within these people, but they dont want that, they want to be able

to spread awareness and live their lives in peace. Even though this may seem like a very basic

idea it is something that people need to pay attention too and I had never thought about it until

that day.

During his presentation Julio also showed a picture of a group of high schoolers dressed

in their caps and gowns that waited in a politicians office. They were protesting the fact that

they could not move on to higher education because of their legal status. That picture is very

famous in the Latino community because it showed how undocumented youth were standing up

for their rights. What I did not know about that picture was that some of those students identified

as queer. Many times when the Latino community speaks about issues such as deportation they

leave out details that do not seem relevant or that are taboo in our culture, one of those being

Latinos that identify as a member of the LGBTQ community. Knowing that some of those

students identified as queer opened my eyes about the constant scrutiny and erasure they face in

a community that is supposed to have their backs.

When Julio spoke about his experiences in school, it really resonated with me. He said

that it took him about nine years to get his degree in journalism and that he faced many obstacles

just to get there. Issues like poverty, being scrutinized by his professors, and even failing a few

times. His experience in school made me realize that everybody works at their own pace, and

that we will have to overcome many barriers when trying to reach our goal. Even though it took
him a while to get there he still made it to his final goal and his hard work was what made it all

worth it.

The last thing I learned from the event was something that I should already know, but am

not told because I am conditioned to be afraid of a danger that my friends and family could face.

Everything is going to be okay. Ever since I was little I have known that my family members

could be deported, and that has happened before. When I was eight my moms best friend was

deported and I watched her cry for days. That was when I knew of the danger that my friends and

family members faced and I had to be angry. But as I get older I realize that continuing to use

your voice for awareness and just overall being a good person will keep you in a safe place.

Hearing Julio say that everything was going to be okay almost made a weight come off my

shoulders. I finally felt at peace knowing that those I love are going to be okay of I stick by their

side.

This event has given me the chance to reflect on issues that I have seen my whole life.

Coming from a family of immigrants I have learned from a very young age that we are not

granted the same rights as other people. Identifying as a queer person I have learned the same

thing and also that sometimes my own community is going to turn their backs. But this event has

made me think about how being compassionate and working hard will clear the way. Julio

embodied an identity that many people are too afraid to discuss and will hopefully open the door

to new conversation.