Aquí Estamos RGV

WE ARE POSTPONING OUR CONFERENCE:
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Aquí Estamos is announcing a brief postponement of New Date: Aquí Estamos 2017: 3rd annual lgbtq+ conference, originally scheduled for the 22 and 23 of September, to December 1 and 2 2017 at the STC Cooper Center in McAllen, Texas.

This year so far has proved to be a true test of the tenacity and resilience of our q***r and trans immigrant community, that has seen a non-stop onslaught of assaults by both our federal and state governments. From trying to stop another border wall being built in our backyard to defending the trans community’s right to exist and use public facilities peacefully, defending DACA as well as responding to natural disasters made worse by neglect and outright disregard of science by our government leaders, this year has proved to be almost overwhelming for us at Aquí Estamos RGV as we know it has been for you.

We say almost overwhelming because we know that while right now we need a little more time to regroup as a community to come back with strategies, it won’t be long before we are able to adequately reconvene and strategize to build the world in which we can truly and authentically reach liberation.

To do so, we want to build a space that our community deserves to be able to grapple with difficult questions and connect to accomplices we haven’t met yet. We ask that you have patience while we try to do so and also that if you’re moved to help us get there, to please not hesitate to help us build this world together.

For any questions, please email us at [email protected].
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Aquí Estamos anuncia que estamos posponiendo nuestra conferencia LGBTQ+. Las fechas originales eran el 22 y 23 septiembre. Las nuevas fechas son el 1 y 2 de diciembre del 2017 en STC Cooper Center en McAllen, Texas.

Esta año ha sido un año de muchos obstáculos y pruebas para nuestra comunidad, ya que el gobierna federal y estatal han lanzada muchos ataques en contra de nuestra gente. Pero sabemos que seguiremos resistiendo y organizando para proteger a nuestra comunidad.

Para hacer eso, queremos hacer nuestra conferencia lo más accesible y poderosa que se pueda, así que estaremos trabajando en planes más grandes para nuestra conferencia que ahora llevará cabo en diciembre. Les pedimos su paciencia ya que somos un equipo pequeño de voluntarios y que nos sigan apoyando para construir este mundo nuevo juntxs.

Cualquier pregunta, no duden en mandarnos un mensaje a [email protected]. ¡Aquí estamos, y no nos vamos!

Presenting one of first keynote speaker for Aquí Estamos 2017: 3rd annual lgbtq+ people of color conference: Joe Colon-Uvalles II aka Beatrix Lestrange!

Joe is an intersectional q***r Latinx community organizer and Dragtivist (drag queen activist) from Brownsville, TX. Joe currently works for VAC South Texas as a Risk Reduction Specialist I in downtown Brownsville doing outreach, education and providing HIV /STI testing for high-risk communities. Beatrix is well-known for advocating, fundraising and hosting events for community organizations such as Texas Freedom Network, Planned Parenthood Texas Votes, STEP South Texas Equality Project, and Aqui Estamos RGV. Beatrix is the producer, host, and creative mind behind CVNTS, a now established progressive, alternative drag r***e that promotes diversity, inclusiveness, and self-love. More recently Joe worked with Brownsville City Commissioners to officially proclaim June Pride month, a historical first in South Texas, and as Beatrix was named one of two Grand Marshals for PRIDE in the PARK, the RGV’s biggest Pride celebration. Joe was recently the recipient of a micro-grant from UT to start a program called “Drag Out HIV!”, to train up to 12 other drag queens to be “dragtivists,” and was also recently named “RGV Millennial of the Year 2017” by RGV Millennials. Joe is also a contributor to Neta, has two cats, and loves eating tacos.

Register now for at aquiestamosrgv.org/register!