Jotxs y Recuerdos

Michael Jones is a Black gay artist and poet with a background in philosophy from the northeast but relocated to the Rio Grande Valley (RGV) in 2006, where he discovered both creative freedom and a sense of belonging. In this episode, he reflects on his childhood, recalling moments like impersonating Diana Ross. He delves into his cruising experience at Archer Park, explores his intersecting identities, addresses the absence of Bla...

In this episode of "Jotxs y Recuerdos," host Alexandra Salazar interviews Kandi Kasket (also known as Roxanna), a non-binary/asexual Latina. Kandi discusses her journey of self-discovery, including her experiences with asexuality and drag, and the challenges she faced in coming out. She emphasizes the importance of queer spaces and representation, particularly in the Rio Grande Valley. Roxanna also highlights her work wit...

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,...

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 w...

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 firs...

Dolissa Medina is a filmmaker, home-maker, writer, and organizer whose art practice centers around queer world mending in borderland spaces. Exploring themes of belong and home, she’s been making experimental films for the past 25 years inspired by the places she’s lived: San Francisco, Berlin, and her hometown of Brownsville, Texas. In this episode, she reflects on coming of age in Brownsville, a city along the border region and t...

Noe Gonzalez-Schwenneker, a queer woman from Pharr, Texas discusses what it is was like being queer along the border. Noe describes various queer spaces in the Rio Grande Valley (Montrose, Trade Bar, and Jackie O's), including bars across the border in Reynosa, Tamaulipas, Mexico. She also speaks on how the Orlando shooting impacted her. Towards the end of the episode, Noe's wife, Davia, a lesbian from Montana, shared her...

In this episode, Esther Martinez, a non-binary Chicana/Puerto rican punk discuss  the importance of representation, particularly in the music industry, and addresses issues of sexism and misogyny within the local punk scene. They also share their experiences with her band, Fantastico, and the impact of their music, including a song inspired by the Trans Texas bathroom bill. 
*This episode is dedicated to Carmen Altagracia Turul...

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 h...

Ayden Castellanos, is queer a Chicano activist and podcaster. In this episode, he emphasizes the importance of the deconstructing HIV/AIDS stigma and educating the public about prevention and treatment, including the use of PrEP. In addition, he highlights the vibrant queer community in the Valley, the challenges of machismo, and the significance of representation in media and local businesses.

*This interview is from 2018. Since th...

In this episode, host, Alexandra Salazar sits down with Angela Garza, a Chicana dyke from McAllen, TX, who played a pivotal role in shaping the Rio Grande Valley punk scene. As a member of bands like Angela & the X's, Inkbag, Dykes Interrupted, and The Follies, Angela reflects on her musical journey and the cultural impact of her work. They dive into topics like 'cunt rock'—a term coined by Letty Martinez, lead s...

Back from hiatus to discuss the ongoing genocide in Palestine. Join us for an urgent and critical conversation with Joy where we discuss settler colonialism in The Rio Grande Valley and Palestine. 
*edit: at 25min it is 5 generations instead of 5 years*

Joy (she/her) is a queer farmer and soil scientist who organizes for collective liberation. Texas born with roots in Palestine and Lebanon, she is able to draw connections betwee...

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 a...

Hilda and Tee, are a Black lesbian couple who have been married for 29 years and counting. Hilda, born in Louisiana, moved to California at 17 and came out there. Tee, from Detroit, also came out in California and faced challenges reconciling her sexuality with her religious beliefs. They met in the 80s at work, and after a decade of mutual attraction, they began a relationship. Hilda emphasized the importance of loyalty, communica...

Danielle Small, a writer based in Atlanta, discusses their journey from Jamaica to rural Wisconsin, highlighting their experiences as a queer, non-binary individual. They also recount the challenges of growing up in a conservative Christian culture in Jamaica and the traumatic experiences of racism in Wisconsin. In addition, Danielle emphasizes the importance of representation and community, particularly for Black immigrants. They ...

This live podcast is presented by the UTRGV Center for Mexican American Studies' Cafecito y Charla series. Join Alexandra Nichole Salazar as she moderates a conversation with Judy R. Pryor-Ramirez, Aimaloghi Eromosele, and Alexandra Hughes about Black history, the Black Lives Matter movement, and the ongoing fight against anti-Blackness in the Rio Grande Valley.
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Recorded and released 2020

Join us for our Bonus Episode where we explore Nepantla, Borderlands, and Queerness with Vickie Vértiz, a Queer Chicana Poet and Professor from California. 

"Vickie Vértiz was born and raised in Bell Gardens, a city in southeast Los Angeles County.

Her writing is featured in the New York Times magazine, the San Francisco Chronicle, Huizache, Nepantla, the Los Angeles Review of Books,  KCET Departures, and the anthologies: Open t...