From activists, to actors, to artists, to more, queer and trans Latinx people have been rocking our world forever. But queer and trans latinx people have rarely been recognized at the forefront of our culture. If you’re interested in getting to know more of us latinx folks on the LGBTQIA+ spectrum, start by following the work of these next few notables and remembering the legacy of those deceased.
Annie Segarra
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Annie Segarra (or Annie Elainey on social media) is doing incredible things in the world of content creation. Segarra herself is a disabled, chronically ill, queer latinx woman of color and she uses her platform to speak up and out about the intersections of her experience. Her YouTube channel alone boasts 16k subscribers who listen to Segarra talk about everything from her diagnosis with Ehler-Danlos Syndrome to her queer YouTube crushes to Miami’s epic gay pride parade. Oh, and those dope ass “The Future Is Accessible” tees you might have seen around? Her idea.
Bamby Salcedo
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Bamby Salcedo has been fighting for the rights of trans and latinx communities for years, most recently in her role as the president of the TransLatin@ Coalition. Before that, Salcedo worked as a Health Education and HIV Prevention Services Coordinator for Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, where she helped serve trans youth. The ever-impressive Salcedo wears many hats, as a community organizer, as a motivational speaker and presenter, and as an advocate for not only latinx and other people of color, and not only trans-folks, but also those whose lives are affected by things like HIV+ status, immigration status, and social class. Follow her actions on Twitter.
Favianna Rodriguez
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If you ask folks in the LGBTQ+ community to tell us about any queer latina off the top of their head, there’s a good chance they’ll immediately tell you about Favianna Rodriguez. The Oakland-based interdisciplinary artist and social justice advocate is doing amazing things for marginalized communities. Rodriguez is the Executive Director and Cultural Strategist for CultureStrike as well as a Senior Advisor for Presente.org (which she also co-founded). Follow her work on Instagram, where she posts about all her favorite topics, including sexual freedom, climate change, cultural equity, and self-care.
Indya Moore
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Indya Moore is a trans, afro-latina model and actress currently killing it on the FX show “Pose.” Hailing from the Bronx, Moore is also an outspoken advocate for the trans community, working to remind those in power that occasional inclusion is nowhere near enough when it comes to representation. As such, Moore’s Twitter feed is full of insight into the trans experience and highlights matters important to the intersections of black, latinx, and trans lives. She’s also just seriously delightful to listen to, and here’s hoping she keeps doing amazing things in Season 2 of “Pose” (out later this year) and other future projects.
Emma Gonzalez
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Last year, our nation experienced one of the most horrific acts of mass gun violence yet: the Valentine’s Day shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. One of the most outspoken voices in the aftermath of the tragedy was that of Emma Gonzalez. The young bisexual latina helped launch the March for Our Lives and has continued to use her activism to fight against the NRA and the politicians they bankroll, and toward a general call to improve gun control and essentially prevent another mass school shooting. 19-year-old Gonzalez is in college now, but she’s still very active on Twitter and we hope to see and hear more from her soon.
Johanna Toruno
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This list can’t go on without recognizing Johanna Toruno, the Salvadoran-born and NYC-based activist who uses her art to inspire others to do the same. Toruno is the creator of the Unapologetically Brown Series (a collection of posters aimed at celebrating queer, latinx, and black lives, and calling out social injustice in the streets). Central American latinxs face additional hurdles and are currently at the forefront of immigr;ation struggles here in the US, and Toruno isn’t afraid to confront these topics with her work, as well as broader issues like police brutality against and the mass incarceration of black and brown youth.
Natalie Morales
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Representation is important and lucky for us, we have queer latina actress Natalie Morales who is helping that happen by staying extra busy in Hollywood. You may remember her from her time on “Parks and Rec,” or maybe “Santa Clarita Diet,” “The Grinder,” “White Collar,” “Girls,” or even “BoJack Horseman.” Morales, who came out publicly back in 2015, is about to become the first Cuban-American actress to lead on a primetime television show. Abby’s, which premieres March 28, features Morales as main character Abby, who runs an unlicensed bar out of her own backyard.
Frida Kahlo
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The queen of Queer Latinas herself, Frida was a pioneer in the world of art. Despite being met with tragedy early on (a bus accident rendered her unable to bear children), Frida lived a full life as an artist, activist, and as an openly bisexual lover of many (including Georgia O’Keefe, Dolores del Rio, Diego Rivera, and potentially even Josephine Baker).
Sylvia Rivera
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A Puerto Rican transgender activist from the Bronx, Sylvia Rivera is someone we all should know. Rivera was a drag queen and sex worker as well as a founding member of STAR (an organization that helped young homeless trans folks, alongside her friend Marsha P. Johnson). Her legacy lives on via the Sylvia Rivera Law Project, protecting the freedoms of all trans people.
Chavela Vargas
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Costa Rican-born, Mexican singer Chavela Vargas didn’t officially come out until she was in her 80s, but she certainly lived her life exactly the way she wanted even from an early age. Vargas was mostly known for singing rancheras but gained additional notoriety due to the way she dressed in traditional men’s clothing and openly wooed women with her songs.
Sara Ramirez
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Sara Ramirez launched to fame as “Grey’s Anatomy’s” openly bisexual Dr. Callie Torres. The talented Mexican-American actress came out as bi herself in recent years. Catch her now on “Madam Secretary,” playing the role of Kat Sandoval (and sporting a wonderfully butch look).
Stephanie Beatriz
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Argentinean actress Stephanie Beatriz makes us all crack up as Detective Rosa Diaz on the series “Brooklyn 99.” Beatriz, who came out as bisexual in 2016, recently made a cameo as a closeted lesbian aunt on the queer-friendly show “One Day At A Time,” and we can’t wait to see what she does next.
Aubrey Plaza
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Eternally awkward Aubrey Plaza has been a poster child for sarcasm since her days on Parks and Rec, but she’s done so much since then. From stints on “Criminal Minds,” “Castle,” and “Legion,” to starring roles in “Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates,” “Ingrid Goes West,” and “The Little Hours,” the queer actress always stays busy. See her next up in the remake of “Child’s Play.”
