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ALMA event honors Chicago’s LGBTQ+ Latino leaders
On the evening of Oct. 22, the Association of Latinos/as/xs Motivating Action (ALMA) held its 5th Annual Community Reception at Barcocina Lakeview, at 2901 N. Sheffield Ave. A packed room of supporters, activists, and current and former ALMA board members were treated to an extended cocktail reception, award presentations and a drag performance featuring artist Angelise K LaRue.…
Art by LGBTQ+ migrants in ICE detention to be showcased at Chicago exhibition
Artwork created by LGBTQ+ immigrants in ICE detention will be featured at a Chicago exhibition Saturday, Oct. 24. The free event, “Stories in Action,” is organized by Chicago-based Migrant Support Collective (MSC) and will take place at Center on Halsted, 3656 N. Halsted St. It will feature artwork from an anticipated 20-25 artists experiencing detention,…
ALMA Chicago to honor two community leaders at 5th annual reception
ALMA Chicago will recognize Dan Ingram and Jessica Carillo-Guerrero with its 2026 ALMA del Líder Awards during the organization’s fifth annual Community Reception. The reception, scheduled for 6-9 p.m. Oct. 22 at Barcocina Lakeview, 2901 N. Sheffield Ave., will feature food, drinks, a live drag performance and recognition of community leaders. The event also celebrates…
Public health activist Julio Flores on supporting Chicago’s LGBTQ+ youth
Julio Flores didn’t have a traditional educational path into public health. He went straight from high school into volunteer and full-time work. Nevertheless, in recent years, he has becoming a formidable force for queer advocacy in Chicago. Now, he’s in his fourth year as program director for Alliance, the branch of the Public Health Institute…
Activist Lluvia Ramirez on her journey of HIV advocacy and community activism
For activist Lluvia Ramirez, helping out others has always been a constant. Her activism extends to various communities, many of which she belongs to. At the root of it all, her intersectional identity drives what she does. Ramirez is currently the senior program manager for public health at the AIDS Healthcare Foundation; president of FLUX…
Chicago advocates highlight housing challenges for LGBTQ+ Latiné youth
“My brother lives around here … in a beautiful house with four bedrooms, they even have an extra room … And I don’t live with them because they’re homophobic. They are Christians … and they tell me homosexuals are going to hell,” said one LGBTQ+ Latiné Homelessness in Illinois: Structural Drivers of Inequality report participant who is…
FILM ‘Castaway’ seeks to create intergenerational dialogue for Latinx audiences through storytelling
An upcoming short film, “Castaway” by director and writer Nathan Marquez, shines a spotlight on the intersectionality between being queer, growing up Latinx and Catholic and learning to find community. The film is currently in pre-production with Z Marc Productions both producing and supporting funding for the short film by hosting the Queer Creative Lounge…
Christian Díaz becomes first openly queer person on Metra board, aims to create more equitable transit
From growing up in a transit-rich community to working in Chicago’s transit network itself, Christian Díaz is all about connecting both people and places. Appointed to the Metra board in April 2026, Díaz is its first openly queer member. He comes with a background of public service, and hopes to put all his experience into…
‘Celebrate what makes you different’: Why Chicagoan Mario Treto Jr. chose a life in public service
Mario Treto Jr., who is Illinois’ secretary of the department of financial and professional regulation, said that he’s reassured by the frequent calls he gets for advice from agency heads in other states. “We’re doing it right if we’re being looked at as a beacon of hope,” said Treto, whose agency oversees licensing for professionals…
Latino queer youth are facing a unique mental health crisis: Chicagoans are fighting to reach them
Something as large-scale and daunting as the modern youth mental health crisis could never be solved overnight. Considering queer Latino youth are part of two communities which are underrepresented, underserved and under attack by the federal government, their challenges are especially unique. In a 2024 report by the Human Rights Campaign, over 70% surveyed queer Latino youth…
Meet the En La Vida newsletter writer
Lu Calzada
Pronouns: They/Them
“Lu loves to cook new recipes, read manga and explore the city with their beloved roommates. You’ll hear from Lu every second Wednesday of the month in our En La Vida newsletter.”
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