jotxs y recuerdos

In this episode of Jotxs y Recuerdos, Carmen Castillo, a queer musician and artist from Reynosa, Tamaulipas/ McAllen, Texas, discusses her journey through various musical genres, including punk, hip hop, and ska. She also shares her experiences of coming out, dealing with misogyny, and the importance of community support in the Rio Grande Valley. Carmen emphasizes the role of music in advocating for social causes, such as her corrido for Bekah Hinojosa, a local environmental activist. She speaks the impact of external forces like SpaceX on the community and the need for resilience and resistance in the face of gentrification.         *Carmen is a member of the Chulita Vinyl Club (@chulitavinylclub)                  *Carmen is also a current member of the band Twin Eater                                        *Solo project is under the name Carmen Castillo                                                             -Previous Bands:                                                                                                                     The scarlet effectL@s Skagaler@sAngela & the exesBlight NightKRUX (w/a backwards R)Monstruo BohemioRotary WavesCaldo FríoContraceptors BasebornShanks & Chandeliers                                                                                                                            

In this episode of Jotxs y Recuerdos, Andrea Casares, a bisexual Indigenous-Chicana with Black ancestry from the Rio Grande Valley and a caretaker of the land, pays tribute to her Tía/Tío Mike (1961-2019), a queer elder whose influence shaped her creativity and her relationship with the tierra. She also reflects on her family's painful history of violence, including the lynching of her ancestors by John Closner, Tom Mayfield, and the Texas Rangers. Andrea shares her efforts to raise awareness about this history, including her role in organizing the upcoming "Save the San Juan Hotel" event on April 12, 2025. This community event will honor local history and provide a space for mourning and healing. The podcast explores the deep connections between queer, Indigenous, and Black histories in the Valley, emphasizing the importance of community healing. *You can find Andrea on Instagram @casita_casares– stay tuned for her upcoming projects and plantita (plant) updates!*Follow @save_the_san_juan_hotel-This episode is dedicated to Miguel (Mike) Watts

Michael Jones, a Black gay artist and poet with a background in philosophy, hailing from the northeast, relocated to the Rio Grande Valley (RGV) in 2006, where he discovered both creative freedom and a sense of belonging. In this episode, he reflects on his childhood, recalling moments like impersonating Diana Ross. He delves into his cruising experience at Archer Park, explores his intersecting identities, addresses the absence of Black queer representation along the border, and discusses his artistic journey, which often examines themes of race, sexuality, social justice, and ontology.-Recorded 2024, Released 2025

Send us a textIn this episode of "Jotxs y Recuerdos," host Alexandra Salazar interviews Kandi Kasket (also known as Roxanna), a non-binary/asexual Latina. Kandi discusses her journey of self-discovery, including her experiences with asexuality and drag, and the challenges she faced in coming out. She emphasizes the importance of queer spaces and representation, particularly in the Rio Grande Valley. Roxanna also highlights her work with "Drag Out HIV" to raise awareness about HIV and promote safe sex. --Recorded and released 2018

Send us a textEsteban Silva, a queer Latino from Pharr, Texas, discusses his journey growing up in the Rio Grande Valley, where he faced challenges hiding his identity due to religious and societal pressures. He recounts a pivotal moment at age seven when his mother explained that same-sex marriage contradicts the Bible. Despite support from teachers, he felt isolated and struggled with his identity. Esteban came out accidentally during his first day at college and found acceptance in Oklahoma, where he pursued a bachelor's in fine arts with a minor in Gothic literature. He also shares his experiences with brujeria, passed down by his grandmother, and reflects on the changes in the Valley's acceptance of queer individuals.- Recorded and released 2017

Send us a textKimberly Sanchez, is a trans woman from San Juan, Texas. She aspires to become a physical therapist, motivated by her mother's 1999 accident. Kimberly shares how she came out at 17, initially hiding her identity due to bathroom access issues and misgendering. However, because of her supportive mom she was able to live her truth. In the tail end of the episode, Julie Sanchez, Kimberly's mom offers advice to other parents with queer and trans children. She says, "I would say that it is kind of hard [to accept them] especially if they are your first child. But they are your children. And they do come from you. You are the mother so accept them the way they are, because, any way they are, they're special." -Recorded and released 2017

Send us a textAnel Flores, a queer/lesbian Chicana story maker, discusses her inception and impact of La Otra Taller Nepantla Artist Residency, held February 2021 in Arroyo City, a town in the Rio Grande Valley. Inspired by Gloria Anzaldua's 1995 residency, Flores paid homage to the nurturing environment for artists to create freely. Anel re-created the residency to provide a safe, supportive space for queer, BIPOC artists. In this episode, residency fellows shared their experiences, highlighting the importance of community, feedback, and the healing power of nature.---Recorded and released 2022

Send us a textNoe Gonzalez-Schwenneker, a queer woman from Pharr, Texas discusses what it is was like being queer along the border. Noe describes various queer spaces in the Rio Grande Valley (Montrose, Trade Bar, and Jackie O's), including bars across the border in Reynosa, Tamaulipas, Mexico. She also speaks on how the Orlando shooting impacted her. Towards the end of the episode, Noe's wife, Davia, a lesbian from Montana, shared her experience of coming out later in life and finding happiness in Houston's inclusive environment. Both emphasized the importance of being true to oneself. -Recorded and released in 2017. 

Send us a textDolissa Medina, a queer Chicana filmmaker, writer, and multimedia artist. She's been making experimental films for 25 years, inspired by the places she's lived: Brownsville, San Francisco, and Berlin. In this episode, she reflects on coming of age in Brownsville, a city along the border region and the importance of preserving meaningful stories. Follow her work: http://dolissamedina.com/-Recorded and released in 2018.

Send us a textIn this episode, Esther Martinez, a non-binary Chicana/Puerto rican punk discuss  the importance of representation, particularly in the music industry, and addresses issues of sexism and misogyny within the local punk scene. They also share their experiences with her band, Fantastico, and the impact of their music, including a song inspired by the Trans Texas bathroom bill. *This episode is dedicated to Carmen Altagracia Turull (also known as Alta), a loving mom and La Mera Mera Chignona, (1948-2019). -recorded and released 2018 

Send us a textAyden Castellanos, is queer a Chicano activist and podcaster. In this episode, he emphasizes the importance of the deconstructing HIV/AIDS stigma and educating the public about prevention and treatment, including the use of PrEP. In addition, he highlights the vibrant queer community in the Valley, the challenges of machismo, and the significance of representation in media and local businesses.*This interview is from 2018. Since then, Ayden created Susto, a spooky podcast focused on Latine folklore. Here is more information about the podcast: Ayden Castellanos is the creator and host of the podcast, Susto. Spanish for fright, Susto is a cultural illness in which some believe the soul separates itself from the body after experiencing trauma. Castellanos titled his podcast Susto because it is centered on paranormal folklore from Latin American and Hispanic cultures. Susto has been independently produced since 2019, featuring classic legends like La Llorona, La Lechuza, and The Girl Who Danced with The Devil. Castellanos emphasizes that Susto is his contribution to the long-standing tradition of oral storytelling. Each episode is narrative-driven followed up by analysis of the legend. Castellanos attributes his affinity for all things spooky and storytelling to his upbringing in the Rio Grande Valley, on the Texas-Mexico border, a place where the paranormal and folklore were part of family gatherings and in his classrooms.Susto is available on every podcast platform and you can follow @SustoPodcast on every social media site or by visiting www.SustoPodcast.com.

Send us a textAllyson Duarte, a queer Latina from McAllen, Texas who holds a philosophy degree from the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. In this episode, she highlights the intersectionality of issues like immigration, queer rights, and environmental racism. Allyson also emphasizes the importance of representation in education, advocating for the inclusion of Ethnic studies in schools. This episode is an oral history and a call to action. -Recorded and released in 2018

In this episode, Alexandra Salazar talks with Angela Garza, a Chicana dyke from Mcallen, TX who shaped the Rio Grande Valley punk scene. She was in bands such as Angela & the X's, Inkbag, Dykes Interrupted, and The Follies. In this conversation, they discuss cunt rock (coined by Letty Martinez, lead singer of Angela & the X's and now singer to FEA of San Antonio), queer valley history, and the heartache that comes from losing loved ones. 

Back from hiatus to discuss the ongoing genocide in Palestine. Join us for an urgent and critical conversation with  Joy where we discuss settler colonialism in The Rio Grande Valley and Palestine. *edit: at 25min it is 5 generations instead of 5 years*Joy (she/her) is a queer farmer and soil scientist who organizes for collective liberation. Texas born with roots in Palestine and Lebanon, she is able to draw connections between the need for land sovereignty and lack of access to freedom of movement. Joy lived in the RGV between 2018-2021, completing an M.Sc. in Agroecology from UTRGV. Most recently, Joy has been an active organizer with the Viva Palestina Orchestra (linktr.ee/vivapalestinaorchestra), playing Palestinian resistance music in the face of the ongoing genocide. She farms in upstate NY and runs her own soap business which started in Edinburg in 2020 (@saboonmaazeh), supporting humanitarian relief efforts in Palestine and Lebanon. To support families fleeing Gaza, Click Here: https://linktr.ee/fundsforgaza https://linktr.ee/jotxsyrecuerdosFilm mentioned: https://www.cinemapolitica.org/film/pinkwashing-exposed-seattle-fights-back/TikTok mentioned: https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTLuKFdCh/ 

Rubén Garza is a Non-Binary Trans Poet and artivist from Edinburg, TX. Tune in to hear their Valley manifesto! 

Meet Hilda and Tee, a lesbian couple who have been married for 29 years and counting.  Hilda is originally from Louisiana and Tee is from Detroit but they met in California while working for an Aerospace company. Tune in to hear their story.

For our first episode of 2021, we interviewed Danielle Small, a non-binary writer from Jamaica. Join us as they talk to us about their intersecting identities, fashion, and creative projects. @qtpoccreatives *bonus ep* 

For this episode, we interview Eddie Piña, your favorite gay Tio. Join us as he talks to us about his farmworker experience, the Valley club scene in the 2000s,  HIV, and veganism. ---Episode Edited by A. Ramirez 

In this episode, we interview Adrian Melgar, an organizer and teacher from the RGV. Join us as he talks to us about being trans in the borderlands, creating resources for the community, and teaching during a pandemic/hurricane hit. If you would like to support RGV families and students directly you can donate to Adrian's classroom wishlist, venmo, or cashapp. Link: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/2QK07A0ZXNTD0?ref_=wl_shareVenmo: @adrianwaddyCashapp: $AdrianWaddyListen to his full story on all podcast platforms. 

Join Jotxs y Recuerdos & UTRGV Center for Mexican American Studies for a live podcast (via: Cafecito y Charla) about Black history, the Black lives matter movement, and fighting anti-Blackness in the RGV. All tip jar money will go to the brilliant panelists: Judy R. Pryor-Ramirez, Aimaloghi Eromosele, and Alexandra Hughes-Venmo: @jotxsyrecuerdosCashapp: $jotxsyrecuerdosPaypal: paypal.me/jotxsyrecuerdos-

***First Episode of 2020***Join us for our Bonus Episode where we explore Nepantla, Borderlands, and Queerness with Vickie Vértiz, a Queer Chicana Poet and Professor from California. "Vickie Vértiz was born and raised in Bell Gardens, a city in southeast Los Angeles County.Her writing is featured in the New York Times magazine, the San Francisco Chronicle, Huizache, Nepantla, the Los Angeles Review of Books,  KCET Departures, and the anthologies: Open the Door (from McSweeney's and the Poetry Foundation), and The Coiled Serpent (from Tia Chucha Press), among many others.Vértiz's first full collection of poetry, Palm Frond with Its Throat Cut, published in the Camino del Sol Series by The University of Arizona Press won a 2018 PEN America literary prize. Get a copy here.Vickie is a proud member of Colectivo Miresa, a feminist cooperative speaker's bureau, her first poetry collection, Swallows, is available from Finishing Line Press. She teaches at the University of California, Santa Barbara."

Fish Fiorucci, a non-binary supermodel from Brownsville, TX who modeled in Lady Gaga's Haus Laboratories Makeup Campaign, shares their story with us. TW: Depression, Suicide, and Anorexia. 

In this episode we interviewed Anel Flores, a butch tejana/chicana/mexicana writer and artist whose home is the Valley, San Antonio, and everything in-between. Listen to her share her coming out story, her experience as a mother, and the time she took a writing workshop from Gloria Anzaldúa. 

We connected with Gume Laurel III, a gay Latino writer from Weslaco, TX. In this episode, we talk about chosen family, Valley representation in Literature, and machismo. You can purchase his books online! 

In this episode, we interviewed George Longoria, a Latinx/Brujx. They are a non-binary pansexual who believes that chisme saves lives! 

For PRIDE month we interviewed Alonzo Amaya, a gender-fluid makeup artist from Pharr, TX. Listen to Alonzo talk about gender, depression, and the importance of practicing safe sex. 

In this episode, we interviewed Nancy Gonzalez-Cruz, a queer tejana who was born in Mcallen, but raised in Pharr, TX. She spoke to us about what it was like raising two kids in a border town.Listen to her story in the link above.

In this episode, Rey Vasquez, a trans man from Mission, TX talks to us about being a farm worker, a part of the circus, and coming out. Rey says "the Valley doesn't let you forget where you came from." Listen to his story in the link below. 

In this episode, Eduardo Martinez talks about Queer Cinema, the Pharr Riots, Aqui Estamos, Fuerza Del Valle, and Valley history. Listen to his story and about his community organizing. 

In this episode, we interviewed Elizabeth Michelle Salinas, a former bartender from P B D's Lounge, a gay bar in Mcallen, TX. She shared what it was like to be a part of H.U.G.S (Helping Unite Gays and Straights), a now-defunct organization at Nikki Rowe High School, about the gay club scene along the border, and being a parent. Listen to her story.  

*FIRST EPISODE OF 2019* In this episode we interview Yvonne S. Marquez, a queer chicana writer from Mission, Texas who shares her story with us. Yvonne S. Marquez is a writer and editor living in Dallas, Texas. She's a former senior editor at Autostraddle, a forward-thinking, feminist online magazine for queer and trans women and non-binary people. Yvonne writes about social justice, politics, activism, and other things dear to her heart like Selena and tacos. Since graduating from the University of Texas Austin with a degree in journalism, Yvonne has dedicated her career to telling the stories important to LGBTQ+ people. She was born and raised in the Rio Grande Valley. Listen to her story.