Tony Alvarado-Rivera is a multi-issue community organizer working within an anti-oppression framework. A longtime face in the community, he has been nurtured by some of the greatest organizers and activists in Chicago. During his time in New York while working with the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN) national headquarters, he had the privilege of frolicking with some progressive trans people of color who helped make her the Chicano queer she is today. Before leaving Chicago, Tony was finishing up his years of work with About Face Youth Theatre and helping co-found PFLAG en Espanol, now known as Entre Familia.
Back in the Windy City, Tony is honored to be working with Howard Brown’s LGBTQQ Mentor Program, a new program in the community that builds healthy and positive mentoring relationships between queer youth and adults. He also continues to work with Entre Familia and the Alvarado-Garcia Scholarship and Leadership Program, a partnership with ALMA, which supports a Latino GBTQ young person seeking higher education.
When not working or lending his organizing skills, Tony can be found chilling in Logan Square walking his little man, Pepe de Jesus, or doing the dishes while listening to Juan Gabriel.
DID YOU KNOW? This is his fifth and final 30 Under 30 awards (due to the new rules), tying him with longtime friendly community rival Joe Hollendoner.