Category: Gran Varones Fellows
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Stephen Acosta
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I want to start this off by saying, I love this little guy right here. I remember this exact moment at 6 years old, and in the first grade. The school photographer had just posed me and said, “Smile!,” and I did just what I knew how to do best.…
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Today, I am 28.
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In this photo I was 4 years old on this day, I was happy. That smile in this picture was intentional and I can remember like it was yesterday. On March 19th, I turned 28 years old, so my childhood is a little fuzzy. But that day sticks with me.…
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LISA ISADORA CRUZ (LA GINGER VALDEZ)
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La Mujer Boricua! Lisa Isadora Valdez was born in la isla del encanto Puerto Rico on September 23, 1958. Most people will know her by her stage name of “Ginger Valdez.” She began performing in Puerto Rico when it was still illegal to walk around looking like the “opposite” sex.…
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A Love Poem by Ryan West
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Why does it feel so real? That it feels like I’m juiced up with my favoritefantasy. I wish my ancestors felt this type of safe. The shackles that are on my feet released.You love way i talk my shit, you see me running the shit. Planted our conversation like seed,…
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#TransphobiaIsASin
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For the past four years, we have proudly participated in #TransphobiaIsASin, a social media campaign. Below is more information about the campaign and how folks can continue to support. FROM @TheBlackTransPrayerBook: Okay, Jan 15th is over, but I still have questions and/or want to know how to support the #TransphobiaIsASin Campaign and…
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What I Wish Someone Told Me When I Tested Positive
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as AIDS awareness week comes to a close, we continue to stand in our commitment to amplify the histories and stories of black and latinx lgbtqia folks living with HIV all year round. it is in this commitment that we continue to build community and serve as a reminder that…
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Grandma’s Hands (Our Story) | Rolando Rjay Aguirre
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Unfortunately the interview was done via phone since I’m exposed daily to C-19 and have refrained from frequent visits. But her story has to be told! Since the pandemic hit her mental health has declined and “Dementia” took over. It has progressed pretty quickly but one thing she has not…
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Flashback Friday: Stephen Acosta
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I remember this picture because I took it during one of my last shifts working as a delivery driver for Amazon, right before I resigned. I place this selfie mid-February of 2021. Simply put, I was exhausted with that job, but in hindsight it was so much more than that. …
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Throwback: David Sell
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Growing up, I was apart of a very small family, my household consisted of myself, two sisters and our amazing mother (may her soul continue to rest in paradise). In order to get my sisters and I more accustomed to my father’s side of the family (and to get a…
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Deandre Bryant | Washington, DC
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My name is Deandre Bryant and so this picture is Me as an infant I was born with a full head of hair and my hair was so long that my hair would cover my eyes. So when the nurse came and brought me to my mother she moved my…
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Throwback Thursday: Milani Varela
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Picture this: Humboldt Park in Chicago, IL The year is 1993, at that time it was me, momma, dad, and my greñuda little sister living in the basement of my family’s building. That’s me pictured in the shades. I felt so cool with wearing those glasses. I don’t know exactly…
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I Forgive Myself (A Poem) | Ryan West
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I forgive myself. I forgive that child that didn’t know he just wanted his momma to say she loved him at 10. I forgive that child for not knowing it wasn’t his fault his daddy–who was drug dealer to the hood–didn’t know how to love his queer child. I forgive…