As we approach the gayest holiday of the year, we talk about why Halloween is so ghoulishly celebrated in the LGBTQ community and we also share info on a couple of wicked events coming our way this month.

For more information visit www.queeronda.com

 While queer rights have leapt forward over the past decade, we are currently once again facing multiple threats to our very existence. Our fight for equality remains an ongoing struggle.

Some politicians have targeted LGBTQ rights. Republicans often use fear tactics to vilify trans and queer people to motivate their voters. We must counteract these measures by voting and encouraging our friends and loved ones to vote with our rights in mind, as well. Our guest in this episode is Wesley Lawrence, the founding member of the Stonewall Democrats in El Paso. He is a member of the LGBTQIA+ community and serves as the State Democratic Executive Committeeman for Congressional District 23. Wesley is also running for the City Council District 4 seat.  We talk to Wesley about national, state, and local political issues.

For more information visit www.queeronda.com

Unlike many other migrants, queer migrants often lack eligible family members to sponsor them on the other side leading to heightened risks of detention and increased rates of violence within detention facilities.

In  this episode we talk to Jennifer Babaie who is the Director of Advocacy and Legal Services at Las Americas Immigrant Advocacy Center here in El Paso. She is joined by Gabriela Lopez who is a legal assistant at the organization.

For more information visit www.queeronda.com

For more information visit www.queeronda.com

In this final spotlight, we turn to our own Izzy Mora, Ceci Marquez and Ted Escobedo as they talk about how, through working on the Queer Onda podcast, they have learned about the  many types of family people can create. Including theirs.  

For more information visit www.queeronda.com

For more information visit www.queeronda.com

The relationship between mother and child is perhaps one of the strongest bonds two people can share. In this episode we continue our spotlight on families as we talk to Melissa and Paul Urenda. They share their story about how Paul first came out as gay but still was not completely sure about his identity. It was his mother Melissa who suggested that Paul had a ‘feminine soul’ and that insight helped Paul to later come out as transgender. Their story is an inspiring one filled with love, understanding and compassion.  

For more information visit www.queeronda.com

During PRIDE month Queer Onda El Paso is spotlighting some of the many kinds of families in our community. In this first episode we talk to Dina and Bea Perez. Balancing life, careers, marriage and the demands of raising two children is just all in a day’s work for this couple. Queer Onda talked to them about their family, how they maintain their personal relationship and how a chance meeting at the front door resulted in a lifelong commitment.

For more information visit www.queeronda.com

Owning a business can be both rewarding and challenging. In this episode we talk to Marina Ardivino who has grown up in her family business, came out as lesbian and now runs Ardivino’s Desert Crossing with her brother. Marina shares their family’s story, why being a visible supporter of the LGBTQ community is important and how in return, members of our community can become more supportive of gay and gay-friendly businesses. We also speak to David Villanueva who works to bring events and Ardivino’s Desert Crossing to life. He talks about the PRIDE Market which will be held at the property on May 25.

For more information visit www.queeronda.com

Issues of equality, acceptance and the rights of transgender and nonbinary people have become part of a national conversation. These issues can involve words, pronouns, ideas and identities that are new to some – even to those of us in the LGBTQ+ community. In this episode we talk to June Contreras and Brandon Merritt about the Bloom Education Series which is a collaboration by UTEP and the Borderland Rainbow Center that focuses on gender affirming care and self-advocacy. June not only shares her personal story as a trans woman, her and Brandon both help us better understand the trans experience and how we can become more inclusive of trans people. 

For more information visit www.queeronda.com