Identity can be an interesting thing. We use words to describe who we are, where we come from and where we belong—but most of us don’t fit neatly into just one box. We carry a lot of different identities with us, and sometimes figuring out how they fit together is part of figuring out who we are.

  Here in El Paso, many of us grow up with a pretty strong sense of what it means to be Chicano, Latino or Mexican American. It's part of our families, our language, our food, our traditions—and simply part of living on the border. And for some of us, queer becomes part of that identity, too. We thought it would be interesting to talk about what happens in the space where those identities meet.

 Today we're talking with Borderlands historian  and head of the Chicano Studies Department at the University of Texas at El Paso, Dr. Irma Victoria Montelongo about being queer and Chicano, how each of those communities has shaped us, where we find belonging within them—and what it means to claim both as our own.

For more information visit www.queeronda.com

Across the country, gay men's choruses have long been about much more than music. Beginning in the late 1970s, LGBTQ choirs emerged in cities like San Francisco, New York, and Los Angeles, giving people the opportunity to celebrate who they were through song at a time when acceptance was far from guaranteed. They became places where friendships were formed, confidence was built, and communities found strength in raising their voices together. Today, hundreds of LGBTQ and allied choruses perform around the world, carrying on a tradition of visibility, connection, and hope. Now, El Paso is proudly adding its own voice to that tradition. The El Paso Gay Men's Chorus Plus isn't simply making beautiful music—it's creating community, celebrating authenticity, and proving that when people come together in harmony, everyone is heard.  In this episode,we talk to the  chorus founders, artistic director and members of the choir.

For more information visit www.queeronda.com

From the Stonewall Riots of 1969 to the frontlines of the LGBTQIA+ rights struggle of 2026, Pride continues to be one of our communities most visible assemblies. This is an account of the very first Pride protest.

For more information visit www.queeronda.com

Our guest in this episode is Sidney A. Alvarez, a television and brand journalist who opens the door to one of life’s hardest truths in his debut book, Your Soulmate Expired, And That’s OK. We talk with him about some of the complicated realities of LGBTQ+ dating, and how happiness doesn’t always begin with finding “the one” — sometimes it begins with finding yourself.  Sidney shares his intimate journey through the shock, fear, and pain of losing a 23-year relationship, and how he came full circle by learning to empower others on their own emotional journeys.

For more information visit www.queeronda.com

Documenting queer life through photography is an act of visibility, preservation, and resistance. For generations, LGBTQ+ stories have been overlooked or erased. Photography not only affirms our everyday experiences but also captures the milestones that shape our community. Publishing these images helps build a visual history in which future generations can see themselves reflected. By telling these stories authentically, we challenge stereotypes, celebrate diversity, and ensure that queer voices are seen, valued, and remembered. 
   In this episode, we talk to Nitro Dresden, a freelance photographer and publisher of the Messenger group Events & Stuff, a local community resource. Nitro can be seen behind his camera lens, from Pride celebrations to intimate community gatherings. Here is his story.

For more information visit www.queeronda.com

In the early years of the HIV epidemic, particularly in the 1980s, an HIV diagnosis was often considered a death sentence. Without effective treatments, it was a terrifying, stigmatized, and rapidly fatal prognosis. Today, it is managed as a chronic, treatable condition. Still, there are many misconceptions about HIV treatment, and many patients still struggle with the perception of the stigma attached to their diagnosis. 

For more information visit www.queeronda.com

Joining us for an enlightening and sometimes funny talk is holistic healer Juan Francisco Estrada, founder of Massage N Spirit in Central El Paso. Juan’s work blends touch, energy, intuition, and lived spiritual experience to help people reconnect with themselves on a deeper level. And in times like these — when uncertainty, stress, and constant political noise surround us — his perspective feels more necessary than ever

For more information visit www.queeronda.com

Marriage equality has been one of the major political and social issues facing LGBTQ people in the US but on the other side of the coin is the freedom for gays and lesbians to embrace a life without a partner. Our guest,  Danny Casillas is a drag performer, actor and a retired civil employee for the City of West Hollywood. His blog, ‘ Die alone with me.com’ embraces the many facets of being a single gay man. Adding to the conversation is our own Izzy Mora who shares his own experiences as single gay man in his fifties here in El Paso.

For more information visit www.queeronda.com

For more information visit www.queeronda.com

The recent government shut down has shone a bright spotlight on food insecurity. While some families SNAP benefits are being reduced or cut altogether, many organizations and community groups have stepped up to help provide helping hands.
   In addition to the myriad of services and events at the Borderland Rainbow Center for the   LGBTQ community the BRC helps alleviate hunger in the El Paso community in an environment of respect, care and hospitality. The food pantry serves everyone from low-income families, single parents, senior citizens, unemployed individuals, disabled veterans, working poor, and anyone else that comes to the pantry. And they need your help.
   In this episode we talk to Amber Perez Executive Director of the Borderland Rainbow Center and Julie Lucas, Directors of the Food Pantry at the BRC who tell us about how we can all do our part.

For more information visit www.queeronda.com