COLOR

COLOR is a community-rooted organization dedicated to building a movement of Latinas, their families, and allies through leadership development, organizing, and advocacy to create opportunity and achieve reproductive justice.  Our vision is that Latinas and their families have the knowledge, freedom, and power to access a full range of opportunities for the health of their body, mind, and spirit. For more about Colorado Organization for Latina Opportunity & Reproductive Rights (COLOR), check us out at www.colorlatina.org.

[colorlatina]

Trans Day of Visibility 2023 #TDOV

This year, on Trans Day of Visibility, I carry with me a grief that seems compounded more and more every day. This day is about trans joy, but I don’t believe joy is antithetical to grief, or even to anger. Joy is so much more than we give it credit for, and as one of my favorite [QTPOC] authors says, joy is a politicized form of pleasure that goes beyond gratification to challenge the norms and social structures that incite violence against us. Trans day of visibility brings mixed feelings for me, knowing that increased visibility often leads to increased violence towards our community. But knowing, also, that trans existence is power. Trans joy is power. Trans people are worthy of love and protection. This day means so much more to me than just uplifting a handful of trans voices. This day, and every day, is a celebration and investment in trans joy. To me, that includes recognizing how reproductive justice (RJ) has always been queer and entangled with trans liberation, and that I carry my transness and and my investment in trans joy with me in the work I do. Even if the movement has not always explicitly worked to protect the rights of trans people (and I am glad it is finally moving in the direction of doing so), the basis of reproductive justice is rooted in anti-racism and queer and trans liberation.

RJ argues that it is not an accident that women of color are disproportionately impacted by acts of reproductive oppression; reproductive oppression is a deliberate tool in preserving and expanding white supremacy. The (re)production of white social, political, and economic capital relies on an exploitable population. For example, the state created pro-natalist policies for Black, enslaved women because their having children resulted in an increase in white wealth (property, labor, status), and it created anti-natalist policies for Indigenous women because their having children were a threat to white wealth (land, claims over resources, western cultural ideals). In order to justify their exploitation, people are dehumanized through a racialization process that includes their sexual and reproductive oppression. Part of this was by asserting that gender is a human characteristic, so only white men and women had access to gender. Black and Indigenous people were classified as not human in species—as animals, “male” and “female.” Thus, the construction of gender, and the way it functions in our society and in our laws, is intricately tied to how reproductive oppression is leveraged. Having or not having access to gender is reflective of our proximity to power, and trans people are undoubtedly a large part of who we fight for when we work to dismantle reproductive oppression. 

Even when racialized or gendered implications are not always explicit in the language of these laws, their interpretation (and thus, their implementation) disproportionately hurt Black, Indigenous, and other nonwhite women, queer, and trans people. Systems rooted in whiteness decided which mothers were "unfit" and which people were "socially inadequate."

This legacy continued through the use of privacy-based protections for reproductive rights, where privacy is culturally defined, and undoubtedly influenced by the legacy of these dehumanizing methods. Not only is privacy not enough to include access to people’s rights, but it also begs the question of whose privacy should be protected. In 1965, The Supreme Court argued that a violation of someone's right to privacy is an "indefeasible" right afforded to everyone as long as they do not commit a “public offense.” The problem in this premise arises when someone's identity is a matter of public offense. In practice, women of color, queer and trans people, immigrants, those with disabilities, etc, are not included here. That is why RJ is grounded in human rights, moving beyond privacy. We know how important this is now more than ever, since the Dobbs decision. 

Now we see laws targeting abortion care and laws targeting trans people surge so quickly, so violently, so brazenly, and they mirror each other. Bounty hunter laws, for example, like the ones in Texas, allow any private citizen (see where I’m going with this) to sue anybody they thought could have been involved with any part of an abortion after six weeks of pregnancy. Using the same bill language, another legislator introduced a similar bill that would allow people to sue anybody who hosts or performs in drag where any child is in attendance; in a society where existing as a trans person could be interpreted as drag. In both cases, a winning plaintiff can expect to be paid actual damages, attorney’s fees, and statutory damages. There are bills that criminalize “aiding and abetting” abortion and gender affirming care. Including even emotionally supporting trans children, helping with travel for either care, the reimbursement of the costs of an abortion through insurance or other means. 

So what do we do? Part of what we’re doing is working to pass a bill that would provide civil and criminal protections for abortion and gender-affirming care providers, patients and those who support them. We know this is needed because of how this care is targeted across the country, and how it threatens not only trans people, but the people who love trans people, too. And even in sitting through the weight, and the grief, and the tears, and the anger of it all, in the hours of egregious testimony against our very existence, there is joy there too. I was surrounded by trans people and people who love trans people. I held the memory and the inextinguishable fire that radiates from all the trans people in my life. My mentors and my friends, my heroes and my ancestors. They were there, too. 

Trans joy is everywhere. Trans joy is so radiant, that it lingers even when we exit the room. Trans joy is the kindle in the fire of every social movement I can think of. Trans joy is proof that magic exists. Trans joy is alchemy. It is the warm feeling in our bellies when we decide to make something out of nothing; the is the in-between-ness that allows us to sew meaning from torn and stolen fabric, ...the re-stitched and recycled fabric of space and time we’re left with when we have no choice but to make new worlds; to be able to exist outside and within the one that is given to us. 

And as someone who is still pre-transition, I tend to not take up as much space, as I know I walk through life with the privileges of a cis person. And my decision to wait, as painful as it is, is my own. It is a decision I make every day. Everyday I wake up not feeling fully alive in my own body. Everyday I wake up with an overwhelming love for trans people. Everyday I wake up seeing more and more violence on my trans kin. Everyday I decide to have joy, deliberately and brazenly. Everyday I wake up wondering if I wait any longer, I might never get to transition at all. I also see the immense power trans people have in their capacity to honor their grief, joy, anger, love, and contradictions. To persist, and resist, and insist that we are right here, everyday, and we will always be. So I write this, on TDOV, knowing nothing I could write could be truly lighthearted, as a love letter to my trans kin, and a message to the people who love us. I see you and I love you. And we are here to stay, today and everyday. 

And in honor of highlighting the radical trans joy [and its visibility], I do want to highlight a handful of trans people/orgs you might consider following the work of and supporting, or use as a resource:

King Vaughnz (he/they), one of my very favorite Denver-based Latinx drag kings. Email for booking: [email protected]

Bri Hill (they/them), also known as ArtsyQ, one of my very favorite Denver-based Black trans mix-media poet and educator, who leads Sacred Voices Denver, an organization that offers culturally-responsive based poetry, education, and events.

Erin Reed (she/her), a “trans queer news and history content creator, lgbtq+ and repro legislation tracker, and activist trying to change the world to be a better place,” who not only testified on behalf of Senate Bill 188, but keeps track of track anti-LGBTQ+ legislation, updates an informed consent hormone therapy map so people know where to access care, and has a very comprehensive newsletter you can subscribe to, to stay up to date on all of the most important pieces of trans and queer news and legislation for the week.

The Black Trans Femmes in the Arts Collective, that “create spaces for the production and preservation of Black trans art and culture by building community with Black trans femme artists and providing them with the resources and support necessary to thrive.” 

The National Queer & Trans Therapists of Color Network, a healing justice organization actively working to transform mental health for queer, trans, Black, Indigenous, and People of Color.

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Blog post written by Mar Galvez (they/them), COLOR's Policy Associate

[colorlatina]

The impact of COVID-19 and the Vaccine in Colorado

By: Estrella Guerrero

The COVID-19 pandemic began in December 2019. In March of 2020, the world shut down as this new virus began to spread rapidly. The beginning of the pandemic was full of panic, fear, and worry. Countries closed restaurants, bars and nightclubs, hair and nail salons, schools and universities, and even borders. For those who were lucky enough, their bosses moved them to work remotely though many people found themselves unemployed. Quarantine pods, online learning, zoom events, and socially distanced events were the norm for a bit of time. As time passed we went from mask mandates to vaccine mandates to no mandates here in the United States, all while seeing one of the highest death rates in any developed country.

As of May 2022, the United States has had 1 million people die from COVID-19 according to the CDC. According to the APM Research Lab, 160,588 Latinos have lost their lives due to the coronavirus. This research has also found that “Indigenous, Latino, Pacific Islander, and Black Americans have higher mortality rates than white or Asian Americans once data is adjusted to account for age”. In Colorado alone, Latino/Hispanic individuals account for 3,213 of the 12,516 deaths. All of these numbers are disheartening and how the Latinx community, and other communities of color, have been impacted by this pandemic go far beyond these statistics.

As a Latina-led organization, COLOR saw the need to help support our Latinx community by understanding what was going on with the COVID-19 pandemic, educating about vaccinations, and providing resources for our community. We were intentional about making sure that our community had the right information to keep their families safe from the virus. 

This pandemic has highlighted the inequities that the Latinx community and other communities of color have always faced. The Latinx community and other communities of color have known about and experienced the inequity in the healthcare system for decades which is why the work we have done is vital to pushing for equitable and culturally competent care for all. We worked in conjunction with 9health365 and the Center for African American Health to provide necessary information on vaccinations and access to vaccinations for our communities.

Since July of 2021, we have held bilingual Facebook lives to discuss myths about the COVID-19 vaccines and how it is important for youth to get vaccinated. We interviewed 3 doctors, including Representative Caraveo, and were able to get youth from our communities involved as well to highlight their voices and experiences with COVID-19. We have utilized digital organizing to dispel misinformation, educate on the vaccines and new variants, and spread the word about the many vaccination clinics that were taking place across the state. We were also able to host a vaccine clinic in conjunction with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment and their mobile vaccine bus program. At this clinic, we successfully vaccinated 22 individuals!

As we continue to move forward in this post-pandemic world, it is important to reflect on how the lack of access to healthcare negatively impacts the Latinx population and other people of color. This not only includes a lack of access to a primary care doctor or regular check-ups, but a lack of access to necessary vaccines and a lack of access to reproductive care. During the traumatic events of the last two and a half years, politicians and institutions have focused on enacting more restrictive legislation on policing people’s bodies and limiting access to abortion and other reproductive care during a time when millions of people were dying across the globe.

If there are any takeaways from this pandemic: 

The healthcare system in the United States is not set up to provide care to those who need it, but to those who can pay for it.

Latinx Communities have suffered unimaginable losses from COVID-19 but remain one of the least vaccinated communities.

Access to accurate and understandable information on public health crisis are mainly in English, leaving Spanish speakers and other non-English speakers at a disadvantage to make informed decisions about their health.

As we move forward we need to push for access to healthcare and necessary information to help keep our communities safe and live healthy lives. 

[colorlatina]

Turning Anger into Action - My Story as a Texan in Colorado.

When Senate Bill 8 passed in Texas last year, I remember feeling not necessarily shocked, but sad. As a Latina born and raised in San Antonio, TX, I have always known that the climate around abortion rights and access in my state has always been threatened. I was sad because my friends who run abortion funds were going to have to work much harder to help people get abortions. If people really wanted, SB8 would allow them to sue them for their work. That itself is just scary.

But another emotion for me is anger. Anger is often presented as a negative emotion, and abortion abolitionists have used “angry” to characterize proponents of abortion as such. However, anger is an emotion that can guide us to action, especially among communities of color. When I switched my major to Ethnic Studies my sophomore year of college, I often found myself angry in response to what I was learning. A lot of the history of violence against communities of color, including my own, was new to me–I didn’t learn any of this in high school. But reading Audre Lorde’s speech The Uses of Anger: Women Responding to Racism in the spring helped me make sense of this anger.

Audre Lorde delivered The Uses of Anger in June of 1981 at the National Women's Studies Conference in Connecticut. She says, “Anger is loaded with information and energy…Any discussion among women about racism must include the recognition and the use of anger…rest assured, our opponents are quite serious about their hatred of us and of what we are trying to do here”. The hatred Lorde spoke about in regards to racism can also be seen in regards to the anti-abortion movement. On March 9th, the Colorado House Health & Insurance committee heard HB22-1279, the Reproductive Health Equity Act. During testimony very late at night, a representative asked a witness this question:

“You [the witness] referenced Jeff Durban, who…was in front of this committee several weeks ago. And through different news articles, became very clear that he believes women should be executed for having an abortion. I’m curious if you have that same belief.”

The witness responded:

“I am a Christian and I abide by God’s law. God’s law says that thou shall not murder, and the penalty for murder is death.”

There was complete silence in the room after that. Only audio was streamed and I was listening at home, but even without the video, I just knew there was a chill in there. Even my mother–who is religious and against abortion–found that answer shocking.

This blatant hatred for myself and so many others who believe in the right to make decisions around family planning with dignity, of course, is angering. My favorite quote from The Uses of Anger is, “Anger is a grief of distortions between peers, and its object is change”. We grieve the inequalities, separations, and differences amongst the communities/identities we belong to caused by colonialism, slavery, systemic racism and violence, machismo, war, reproductive oppression, etc. But the anger resulting from this grief is comforting to me knowing that the object, or goal, is change.

As Latinxs, regarding our reproductive rights, we have lots of reasons to be angry. From the treatment of Mexican women at “well-baby clinics” in LA County in the 1920s-40s to the treatment of Latin American immigrant mothers and pregnant people at the US-Mexico border today, our rights have historically been violated by individuals and the state. This particularly highlights one tenant of reproductive justice–that we have the right to raise children in an environment free from violence and oppression from all these things. So much happening in the world right now that influences our decisions as Latinx youth to have or not have a family, and when, if so. In addition to simply not wanting a child and/or to continue a pregnancy, climate change, housing, access to contraception, and other issues are factors in those decisions. The safe and healthy environment children deserve is not always accessible to those who want them. Neither is an environment free from violence.

Some of us live in areas where our fundamental reproductive rights are protected, but even for those this applies to, those rights are threatened by the hundreds of abortion bans and restrictions that have been introduced across the US the past few years and continue to be, like Texas SB8. They are also threatened by two anticipated rulings from the Supreme Court that could overturn Roe v. Wade. In Colorado, reproductive rights have been well protected: it was the first state to decriminalize abortion in the late 60s. Despite this, Colorado ranks nearly last in its protections for abortion access. There is no state law that expressly protects this fundamental right, if Roe were to be overturned. This is why we need the Reproductive Health Equity Act now. In this current moment, RHEA can be that “object of change” for our anger. If passed, RHEA will cement in Colorado statute that “every individual has a fundamental right to use or refuse contraception; every pregnant individual has a fundamental right to continue the pregnancy and give birth or to have an abortion; and a fertilized egg, embryo, or fetus does not have independent or derivative rights under the laws of the state”, therefore protecting us no matter the Supreme Court decisions.

I think that sadness I feel from the situation in Texas represents the grief Lorde refers to in a way, because not only do I worry about my friends, but I also become increasingly more different than my parents and their beliefs–a distortion. But I’m proud to work with COLOR Latina as the Youth Policy Fellow because it allows me to use my anger from this to take action in one unique way. RHEA is an empowering bill, and now that it has passed the Senate and is on its way to the Governor's office, we should use the energy from our anger to fuel our support to be established as law. It will make a monumental impact on the protection of reproductive rights in Colorado, and it sure as hell can make an impact in Texas and the nation overall.

[colorlatina]

Día Internacional de la Mujer / International Women’s Day

*English version to follow*

El Día Internacional de la Mujer se celebra en casi todo el mundo. Mientras que las mujeres de todos los continentes, a menudo son separadas por fronteras nacionales y diferencias étnicas, religiosas, lingüísticas, culturales, económicas y políticas, pero eso si se unen para “felicitarnos” un día al año. Las mujeres han luchado por más de 100 años en pro de la igualdad, la justicia, la paz y el desarrollo; para que cada 8 de marzo solo nos digan “felicidades en su día mujeres”.

Recordemos que el 8 de marzo no es un día para celebrar sino para conmemorar y honrar la memoria de las 129 mujeres murieron en un incendio en la fábrica Cotton, de Nueva York, luego de que se declararán en huelga permaneciendo en su lugar de trabajo. Estas mujeres buscaban reducir su jornada laboral a 10 horas, un salario igual al de los hombres que hacían trabajo que ellas y mejorar las malas condiciones en las que trabajaban. El dueño de la fábrica ordenó cerrar las puertas del edificio para que las mujeres desistieran y abandonarán el lugar. Pero lejos de desistir murieron quemadas dentro de la fábrica. Ese mismo año, el 3 de mayo, se realizó un acto por el día de la mujer en Chicago, preámbulo para que el 28 de febrero de 1909 que en Nueva York, se conmemoró por primera vez el “Día Nacional de la Mujer”.

Así que este día no es solo para felicitar a las mujeres “por su día”, este día es una oportunidad más para agradecer, fortalecer, reconocer y respetar los aportes que hacemos las mujeres a este mundo, por que no solo somos dadoras de vida, también somos profesionistas, amas de casa, hijas, esposas, amigas y por qué no decirlo muchas somos el sostén de nuestras familias. 

 El día internacional de la mujer se ha prostituido, se ha hecho toda una celebración para hacer eventos, mandar felicitaciones en redes sociales, regalas flores, etcétera; cuando la intención de conmemorar este día es para agradecer y reconocer a todas aquellas mujeres que lucharon por que nosotras tengamos derecho al voto, tengamos derecho a ocupar un puesto público, tengamos derecho a ser libres, entre muchos otros privilegios del que gozamos las que estamos vivas.

A muchas de las mujeres luchar por todo esto les costó la vida y como olvidar a las mujeres que están luchando por sobrevivir en países en guerra o en países donde aún las mujeres son tratadas como nada, tampoco olvidemos a nuestras mujeres que están tratando de cruzar la frontera para que sus hijos tengan una oportunidad ya no de ir a la universidad, sino una oportunidad de seguir con vida, y por último no olvidemos a nuestros ancestros mujeres que vivieron en épocas más difíciles que nosotras. 

Agradezcamos y reconozcamos la contribución de mujeres y niñas de todo el mundo que están liderando la carga en la adaptación, mitigación y respuesta al cambio climático, para construir un futuro más sostenible para todos.

Estas palabras las dedico a mi madre, a mi abuela y a mi bisabuela que a pesar de no haber tenido las oportunidades que yo he tenido, nunca se rindieron e hicieron lo mejor que pudieron con los poquísimos recursos que tenían, también se lo dedico a mi hija, que con su alegría, inteligencia y resiliencia me a ayudado a ver la vida con otros ojos, con los ojos del amor y de la esperanza.

Gracias a todas las mujeres que de una u otra manera han tocado mi vida. 

 Con amor y agradecimiento Gina.  

For more information about the HERstory of #IWD22, click here.

International Women's Day is celebrated almost everywhere in the world. While women from all continents are often separated by national boundaries, ethnic, religious, linguistic, cultural, economic, and political differences, people come together to "congratulate" us only one day a year. Women have fought for more than 100 years for equality, justice, peace, and progress; so that every 8th of March they can say to women "congratulations on your day, women".

Let us remember that the 8th of March is not a day to celebrate, but to commemorate and honor the memory of the 129 women who died in a fire at the Cotton factory in New York, after they went on strike. They decided to stage a sit-in, in the factory. These women sought to reduce their working hours to 10 hours per day, a salary equal to that of the men who had similar jobs and improve the poor working conditions. The owner of the factory ordered the doors of the building to be locked from the outside to force the women to retract their demands and leave. But far from giving up on the demands, they burned to death inside the factory. That same year, on May 3, a manifestation was held for Women's Day in Chicago, preamble to February 28, 1909 where in New York, the "National Women's Day" was commemorated for the first time.

So, this day is not only to congratulate women "for their day", this day is another opportunity to thank, support, recognize, and respect the contributions that women make to this world, because we are not only life givers, but we are also professionals, housewives, daughters, wives, friends and in many cases we are the sole breadwinners of our families.

International Women's Day has been misconstrued, it has been shown with celebrations and events, congratulations on social networks, and with flowers, etc.; when the intention of commemorating this day is to thank and recognize all those women who fought for us to have the right to vote, to have the right to occupy a public office, to have the right to be free, among many other privileges enjoyed by those of us who are alive today.

Many of the women fighting for all this has costed them their lives and don’t forget about the women who are struggling to survive in countries at war or in countries where women are still treated like nothing, let's also not forget our women who are trying to cross the border so that their children have a chance not only to go to university,  but an opportunity to stay alive, and finally let's not forget our women ancestors who lived in a much more difficult time. 

Let us thank and recognize the contribution of women and girls around the world who are leading the charge in adapting, mitigating, and responding to climate change, to building a more sustainable future for all.

These words I dedicate to my mother, my grandmother, and my great-grandmother who despite not having any of the opportunities that I have, never gave up and did the best they could with the very few resources they had, I also dedicate it to my daughter, who with her joy, intelligence, and resilience has helped me to see life with different eyes, with the eyes of love and hope.

Thank you to all the women who in one way or another have touched my life.

With love and gratitude Gina.

[violettfae]

happy international womens day to all the women!!!

butch & stone butch women, femme & stone femme women, lesbian women, bi women, pan women, straight women, mspec women, questioning women, queer women, aro women, ace women, aroace women, loveless women, lovequeer women, polyamorous women, non partnering women;

cis women, trans women, gnc women, nonbinary women, multigender women, genderqueer women;

women of colour, neurodivergent women, religious & non-religious women, plus size women, disabled women.... and all the incredible, amazing, talented, gorgeous, handsome, extraordinary women i haven't mentioned.

women are awesome, and i hope all of you, every single one of you, has a fantastic day 💕🥂

[colorlatina]

Roe v. Wade and its Impact on Youth and the Latinx Community

By: Sayuri Toribio, Youth of COLOR Fellow The Supreme Court decision of 1973, Roe vs. Wade, will be celebrating its 49th anniversary on January 22nd - and it may very well be its last. And while I may only be 19 years young, I have known that Roe has been an integral part of history that I didn’t need to question or worry about disappearing. But after what I watched happen last year with the over 90 restrictions across the country, I became scared about what it would mean to me and other youth if we were to lose Roe. Access to legal abortion, coupled with access to birth control, has had a powerful and positive impact on the health and livelihood of young people who have grown up with Roe v. Wade. And just as it is important to recognize the work that has been done to keep Roe, I also think a lot about how Roe has been the floor, not the ceiling. I know that while abortion may be legal, access is not always equitable for everyone. Roe has not ensured that all those who need abortion are actually able to obtain one. There are so many topics that go unspoken, and are considered taboo to talk about with our parents, friends, or community such as safe sex, contraception, healthy relationships, sexually transmitted diseases (STD’s), and abortion. Even when I ask my friends if they know what reproductive justice means, many of them do not know what such framework exists at all. And it shouldn’t be this way. There should be no shame or stigma to talk about safe sex or contraception; there should be no shame or stigma about what it means to have access to reproductive health, and what abortions may be. On the anniversary of Roe v. Wade, we must recognize that there’s a right every one of our community members deserves - and that’s access to a safe and legal abortion. Which is why I believe that the future of Roe must begin with: having conversations about reproductive healthcare, understanding that abortion rights are human rights, and recognizing that when our community thrives, we all do as well. COLOR’s reproductive justice tenets have allowed us to have a lens that incorporates race, gender, class, immigrant status, and sexual orientation into our work. And at the center of it all, our comunidad. Regardless of what the Supreme Court decides as the future for abortion rights, we will no longer compromise. Access to abortion will be safe, legal, and accessible. In order to get this work done, we know we will need to continue to build a movement that is local, grassroots, intersectional, and focused on decentralizing power and resources and instead investing it with those who have been and will be most affected by repealing close to 50 years of precedent – our Latinx community. Here are some ways you can join us in this cause to protect abortion access and lead with reproductive justice values:

Share your abortion story or support your local clinics

Support the Reproductive Health Equity Act by signing our petition so that abortion acces is protected in the state of Colorado. Read our story here via Ms. Mayhem magazine.

Volunteer at COLOR Latina and your local Planned Parenthood.

Actively learn and educate yourself and others about what Reproductive Justice is by visiting these resources here: SisterSong, Reproductive Rights: An Introduction by Loretta Ross and Rickie Solinger, Abortion Do’s and Dont’s  

[colorlatina]

Paradigm shifts: the importance of dialogue, storytelling and conversation on abortion

By Abi Ocampo

As a young girl, I was told “el día que te llegues a embarazar sin estar casada, te saco de esta casa y te las arreglas tu sola.” Those words are still etched into my brain – as a 24-year-old woman, I continue to fear becoming pregnant one day out of wedlock. Those words also led me to think, if I were to get pregnant today, would I get an abortion in order to avoid shaming my parents? The answer was, yes, I would immediately get one and not think twice about it. My mentality as a teen was all about not shaming my parents, not being a statistic, not this, not that, but I never stopped to think, what do I think about it? Because of my lack of self-reflection, I thought it was important to think critically of my thoughts.

In early 2013, I joined LIPS (Latinas Increasing Political Strength) through COLOR. During my time in the LIPS program, I became aware of laws, struggles, movements, and most importantly, I became aware of what I wanted, not what others wanted from me. I was already for abortion, but only because it helped further my personal agendas; I never stopped and thought about the other thousands of women who sought out abortion as a choice. After spending months educating myself, I knew that I was pro-choice for all, and my life continued to shape itself as pro-feminist as my research, awareness and involvement with COLOR grew. Every decision people take is based on their best interests, so why isn’t abortion one of those?

My mom has given me a lot of trust and independence, and I have been allowed to have my own values outside of my family’s norms, but abortion is something we can’t talk about openly. I remember telling her I was working on this project with COLOR, but I didn’t give her the full details. I knew she wouldn’t understand why I wanted to do this; we have gotten into some heated discussions over why it’s someone’s choice to go through the procedure. She says it’s wrong, I say it’s their body and can do as they wish – there’s too much back and forth, which leads to me crying out of frustration because I can’t get her to change her mind. But just as she wouldn’t change her mind, neither would I, and I promised myself I would hold on tight to my beliefs.

As our project came to fruition, I wondered if it would be wise to invite my parents to our readings. Ultimately, I opted out of doing so because I knew I needed to continue working with them to accept that being pro-choice was okay, I did, however, take my teenage sister along with me. Since she is young, I wanted her to come along and not only hear about why many people choose to get an abortion, but also begin to understand that sex, sexuality and abortions are all choices people are allowed to make freely. If she could hear these stories and openly ask questions about sex and sexuality without being afraid of my parents telling her it was wrong, I knew I was helping her become open-minded.

I chose to work on this project because I believe everyone has a choice to decide whether or not they want to have an abortion in their lifetime. We don’t know people’s circumstances, and I believe these plays give people insight as to why some women go through it. There is also nothing wrong with simply saying “it’s just not the right time” and we must also respect that. While it’s been hard to have positive dialogue with some of my family members on this topic, it’s also been beautiful to work with people who want to create a space for these stories. I hope we continue to pioneer for reproductive justice and allow to give these conversations a seat at the table.

[colorlatina]

Costo de los útiles escolares / / The Cost of School Supplies

English Follows

Costo de los útiles escolares

Cuando mi única hija pasó a quinto grado yo no tenía un salario fijo; ya que limpiaba casas por mi cuenta y apenas si me alcanzaba para cubrir los gastos básicos para mi niña y para mi.

Ganando alrededor de $350 dólares a la semana y pagando una renta de $800 por mes era casi imposible guardar dinero para gastos imprevistos o de emergencia. Pero a las escuelas no les importa la situación económica de las familias, ellos solo mandan una larga lista de útiles que “necesitan” para el año escolar.

Recuerdo que el total de los útiles era de casi $120 dólares, y a mi apenas si me alcanzaba para sobrevivir. Así que de dónde podía agarrar dinero para comprarlos?

Eso fue el 2012 y seis años después, veo como nuestra comunidad sigue padeciendo de este mismo problema, aunque yo creo que ha empeorado.

Con el aumento en el costo de vivienda en Colorado las familias de nuestro estado están pasando por una situación económica difícil, ya que no hay proporción entre el aumento en el costo de vida y el salario que tenemos, que es de apenas $10.20 por hora.

Y para completar este cuadro de dificultad… se suma la lista de útiles escolares para el año 2018-2019!

De kindergarten a tercer grado el costo de la lista oscila entre $90 y $120, cuarto y quinto grado entre $100 y $140, ya se imaginaran cuanto cuesta la secundaria y la preparatoria.

Con todo esto, cómo no va a tener estrés nuestra comunidad hispana, si el dinero que gana no le alcanza ni para cubrir sus necesidades básicas.

La recomendación sería, usar los útiles del año anterior que estén en buen estado y buscar los lugares donde los ofrecen de manera gratuita o a bajo costo.

Al final del día lo que importa es que nuestros hijos estudien, enseñémosles que lo importante es la educación, no llevar los mejores cuadernos o lápices a la escuela.

Suerte mis queridos papás y mamás en este regreso a clases.

Con amor, Gina

The Cost of School Supplies

When my only daughter went to fifth grade I did not have a fixed salary; I cleaned houses on my own and barely made enough to cover the necessary expenses for my girl and me.

Earning around $350 per week and paying a rent of $800 per month it was almost impossible to save money for unforeseen or emergency expenses.

However, the schools do not care about the economic situation of the families, and they send a long list of supplies they "need" for the school year.

I remember that the total of the supplies was almost $120, and I barely had enough to survive. So where could I get the money to buy them?

That was 2012 and eight years later, I see how our community continues to suffer from this same problem, although I think it has worsened.

With the increase in the cost of housing in Colorado, the families of our state are going through a difficult economic situation, since there is no correlation between the rise in the cost of living and the salary we have, which is only $10.20 per hour.

Moreover, to make matters worse, the list of school supplies for the year 2018-2019 is added!

From kindergarten to third grade the cost of the list ranges from $90 to $120, fourth and fifth grade between $100 and $140, you can imagine how much it costs for high school.

With all this, how can our Hispanic community not be stressed, when the money they are earning does not even cover their basic needs?

The recommendation would be to use the supplies of the previous year that are in excellent condition and look for the places where they offer them for free or at low cost.

At the end of the day what matters is that our children study. Let's teach them that the important thing is education, not taking the best notebooks or pencils to school.

Good luck my dear parents and moms in this Back to School.

With love,

Gina

[colorlatina]

Transcreation Project: Traditional Catholicism & Abortion

By Ana Rodriguez

I’m the daughter of traditional Catholic Mexican immigrants. They are loving, supportive, and have sacrificed so much to give me the life I have now. I know they would do anything to support me regardless of what I’m struggling with. Well almost anything, I know that if I ever faced a situation where I wanted to have an abortion they would be horrified at even my consideration of this safe healthcare procedure.

I most likely wouldn’t even have the courage to share anything with them if I ever made the decision to terminate a pregnancy. Knowing that makes me incredibly sad - I’ve never lacked the unconditional love and support from my parents when facing a difficult period in my life and recognize this as an incredible privilege. Even when I left home to move in with my partner across the country without getting married first my parents sent me off with a blessing.

That’s why I was so drawn to the play we rewrote about a daughter seeking her traditional catholic mother’s support after making the decision to terminate a pregnancy. As I considered the mother’s internal struggle between her moral conviction and her unwavering love for her daughter I pictured my own mother’s anguish. I put myself in her shoes and tried to humanize that experience and perspective. How does someone push back against a deep seated faith, a lifetime of devotion and conviction of what’s right and wrong? How does someone who is horrified at even the consideration of abortion transform their beliefs and behavior to support a child’s decision to have an abortion? To me it was only a love for that child deeper than love for religion and beliefs that would overcome such dissonance. In our telling of this story I willed this mother’s love to be deep enough to push back against stigma, against tradition, and shame.

This story is a recognition of the unique challenges of navigating both the choice of abortion and our families in the face of a decision to have an abortion through the lens of our Latinx, Mexican, and Catholic culture. It’s also a recognition that abortion stigma, shame, and lack of support does not have to be the only outcome in our Latinx families. It gives me hope of finding this same support in my own family if I am ever to need it. I hope this depiction of how things could be inspires children to be courageous with their parents to speak their truth and seek support if they ever need it, and that it softens parents hearts and opens them up to provide the support their children need regardless of their own religious convictions or traditional beliefs.

[colorlatina]

What Do You Mean You Aren’t Vegan?: What Social Media Vegans Don’t Understand About Food Justice

By Leslie Lopez

If I had a dollar for every Twitter Vegan™ telling a poor individual that they can survive off of rice and beans for the “greater good,” I would be able to afford a vegan diet. Now before we get into it, I should give a disclaimer that I myself do not consume meat for environmental reasons but I understand how fortunate and privileged I am to have such a diet accessible to me. However, if there is one thing that gets my blood boiling is this idea that food injustice is non-existent.

Food justice refers to an individual’s right to have access to healthy food. When people have to make the decision of buying a dollar burger for dinner and still being able to afford transportation or living off a lavish meat-free, dairy-free diet and having to walk to work or pay their rent late, that is an injustice. We need to understand that for some individuals, decisions need to be made in order to survive, not choices. Choices imply that we have other options, but that is not the case for everyone.

Yes, hypothetically people can live off of just rice and beans but is it healthy? No. Would you willingly do it and risk not getting enough nutrients? Of course not! So why do individuals have to settle. There is nothing wrong with wanting a nutritious meal and the reality is that without food justice in this world, individuals will still be oppressed, the only difference being that they are either human-beings or animals.

Instead of shaming others for their diet, we need to be doing so much more. Denver is home to a non-profit marketplace that serves the community by providing affordable, healthy foods. The GrowHaus works to break this power dynamic allowing low-income folx to also have access to foods that should be a human right. Advocating for organizations like this in your own community is just as important as acknowledging the barriers that people of color and low-income folx face. So next time you want to shame someone for consuming meat, ask yourself: is it really just as simple as choosing to live a vegan lifestyle? Then maybe consider starting a community garden or donating to a local nonprofit that seeks to end food injustice. This will prove to be far more proactive than shaming people on the internet!

/ / 

¿Qué quieres decir con que no eres veganx?: Lo que los medios sociales no entienden sobre la justicia alimentaria como los veganxs

Por Leslie Lopez

Tradducción por Gina Millan

Si tuviera un dólar por cada vez que un veganx por Twitter le dice a una persona de bajos recursos que, si puede sobrevivir comiendo solo comer arroz y frijoles, ya tendría suficiente dinero para comprar pura comida orgánica y nunca volver a comer carne. Antes de empezar, necesito que decir una cosa. Yo soy vegetariana por muchas razones, casi todas tienen que ver con la tierra y cómo la tratamos. Pero también reconozco que es un privilegio poder tener esta dieta y que hay muchos que no pueden decir lo mismo.

La justicia de comida se refiere al derecho de tener comida nutritiva accesible. Cuando las personas tienen que tomar la decisión de comerse una hamburguesa que cuesta sólo un dólar o comprar comida orgánica y posiblemente no tener el dinero para su renta o para pagar el camión llegar a su trabajo, se llama injusticia. Es tiempo de entender qué la gente tiene que tomar decisiones para poder sobrevivir y no pueden darse el lujo de poder elegir qué hacer. Opciones significa que hay otras alternativas y eso no es una realidad para todos.

¿Es posible sobrevivir con una dieta de solo arroz y frijoles, pero si hay otra alternativa quién no preferiría comer otras cosas? No hay nada de malo en querer una comida nutritiva y la realidad es que, sin justicia alimentaria en este mundo, los individuos seguirán siendo oprimidos, con la única diferencia de que son seres humanos o animales.

Necesitamos hacer más por la gente en vez de avergonzarlos por su dieta. En Denver existe una organización que se dedica a proveer comida nutritiva y saludable a la comunidad. The GrowHaus, ellos intentan hacer que este tipo de comida sea accesible a todos, especialmente a gente de bajos recursos porque la comida saludable no debe ser un privilegio sino un derecho humano. Defender organizaciones como esta en su propia comunidad es tan importante como reconocer las barreras que enfrentan las personas de color y las personas de bajos ingresos. Entonces, la próxima vez que quieras avergonzar a alguien por comer carne pregúntate: ¿en serio es fácil decidir ser veganx? Y luego considera empezar tu propio jardín comunitario o dar una donación a una organización local. ¡Esto será más beneficioso que discutir con otros por el internet!

[colorlatina]

Family Separation // Separation de Familias

Seguido en Español

Everything for saving my children.

As a mother I can understand why parents take the risk of crossing the United States border with their children, I would do it if my daughter's life or my life were in danger.

Any parent would make this decision to save their children and give them a better life, but it seems like the government doesn’t understand it and turns all their hatred against our families and migrant children.  

Separating children from their parents, putting them in cages is the most cruel and inhumane thing that this administration has done. An administration that only seeks to damage our immigrant community and "make America great again" but ... how can you improve a nation that is imprisoning children?

We are failing as a society, we are letting them abuse the weakest, those most in need. We are becoming a country without love, without values, without respect for others’ lives.

Who is benefiting from separating a baby from his mother, when she is leaving her country because of the violence? Who can sleep peacefully knowing that there is a mother incarcerated in Texas and her babe in New York—or who knows where?

Compassion and respect for all people should be our main value and NOT hate and the stupid need for power. We are not pieces of a game, we are human beings with different skin color and different language BUT at the end PEOPLE!

Don’t sit in your chair crying because of the news on television, don’t just pray to God to solve the problem. Let's act, let's do something concrete to prevent the separation of our children from their parents.

Let the federal government know that we disagree with their policy, and that until the last child is with their parents, we will not stop.

Let's vote in the mid-term elections, choose politicians that align with our values ​​and with the true values ​​of this country. True values of respect and family.

The USA is a country that has hosted immigrants and is, like the rest of the world, a witness to the human phenomenon of mobilization that in most cases is based on the need for survival, and each one of us makes it great with our culture, our food, our music, but most importantly with our hardworking people.

My best wishes to every mother to be together with their children, and to see their children’s faces smiling without fear.

For my beautiful daughter Gianella,

With love Gina.

Todo por salvar a mis hijos.

Como madre puedo entender porque los padres se arriesgan con sus hijos a cruzar la frontera hacia Estados Unidos, yo lo haría si la vida de mi hija o la mía estuviera en peligro.

Esta decisión la tomaría cualquier padre con tal de salvar a sus hijos y darles una mejor vida, pero parece que el gobierno no lo entiende y vuelca todo su odio en contra de nuestras familias y niños migrantes.  

Separar a los niños de sus padres, ponerlos en jaulas es lo más cruel e inhumano que ha hecho esta administración. Una administración que solo busca dañar a nuestra comunidad inmigrante y “hacer grande a América” pero.. ¿como puedes engrandecer a una nación a la vez que encarcelas a niños?

Estamos fallando como sociedad, estamos permitiendo que se abuse de los más débiles, de los más necesitados, nos estamos convirtiendo en un país sin amor, en un país sin valores, sin respeto por la vida de los demás. ¿A quién le beneficia separar a un bebé de su madre cuando esta viene huyendo de la violencia de su país? ¿Quién puede dormir tranquilo después de saber que hay una madre encarcelada en Texas y sus pequeños encarcelados en Nueva York o en quién sabe dónde?

La compasión y el respeto por todas las personas debería ser nuestro valor principal y NO el odio y esa estúpida necesidad de poder. No somos fichas de un juego, somos seres humanos con diferente color de piel y diferente idioma PERO PERSONAS al final de cuentas.

No nos quedemos llorando en nuestro sillón mirando las noticias por televisión, no solo oremos por que esto se solucione. Actuemos, hagamos algo concreto para evitar que estos niños sigan siendo separados de sus padres. Dejémosle saber al gobierno federal que estamos en desacuerdo con su política, y que hasta que el último niño esté con sus padres no pararemos.

Votemos en estas elecciones de medio término, elijamos políticos que se alineen con nuestros valores y con los verdaderos valores de este país que son el respeto y la familia. EEUU es un país que ha albergado inmigrantes y es, como el resto del mundo, testigo del fenómeno humano de movilización que en la mayoría de los casos se da a partir de la necesidad de supervivencia, y cada uno de nosotros lo hacemos grande con nuestra cultura, nuestra comida, nuestra música, pero sobre todo con nuestra gente trabajadora.

Mis mejores deseos para que cada madre tenga la dicha de reunirse con sus hijos y verles sonreir sin miedo.

Para mi hermosa hija Gianella,

Con amor Gina

[colorlatina]

Permission to Discriminate? // ¿Permiso para discriminar?

(Spanish follows / seguido en español)

By Gina Millan

Permission to discriminate?

To learn about any kind of discrimination cases in any community, truly angers me!

However, I transform that anger into strength to defend the communities that for generations have been attacked, as a result of ignorance and oppression rooted in religion and culture.

Take into consideration the discrimination case that a gay couple had to live through in 2012 as a result of a cake shop that refused to make them a wedding cake. This case was tried all the way up to the Supreme Court, and after six years of waiting, it was ruled that the owner was in his right to deny service through a religious belief. This is ridiculous!

Or take into account the brutal attack on a gay couple who were leaving a bar, in Denver, simply for holding hands.

I have a daughter who is almost 18 years old, and is a lesbian; every time I hear about a brutal attack against the LGBT community I become anxious not only for my daughter, but also for the thousands of people who are a part of this community.

I believe that homophobes feel like they have the permission to hurt the LGBT community because the federal administration does not have severe consequences for those who attack the most marginalized.

We have also seen this take play in our immigrant communities, as well at the shopping centers, restaurants, cafeterias etc. where individuals attack others for having a different skin color, or for not speaking English.

Lots of people’s children who belong to the LGBT community live with the fear of having their children be a victim of a hate crime simply for expressing their love to their partner in public.

We need to educate our children with love, we need to teach them to respect individuals regardless of what they look like, skin color, or sexuality.

Let’s pass a world of love and respect to our children, and our children’s children.

With love,

Gina

/ /

¿Permiso para discriminar?

Escuchar de casos discriminación de cualquier tipo, a cualquier comunidad ¡me enoja mucho! Pero ese coraje lo transformó en fuerza para defender a las comunidades que por generaciones han sido atacadas por culpa de la ignorancia y la opresión por parte de la cultura y la religión.

Como en el caso de discriminación que vivió una pareja gay en 2012 por parte de una pastelería en Denver que se negó a hacerles su pastel de bodas. Este caso fue llevado hasta la Corte Suprema de la nación y a casi 6 años de ocurrido este incidente, ésta decidió que el dueño estaba en su derecho de negar el servicio por sus creencias religiosas ¡ES RIDÍCULO!

O el caso del brutal ataque que sufrió una joven pareja de gays al salir de un centro nocturno aquí en Denver, solo por ir de la mano es inaceptable.

Tengo una hija de casi 18 años que es lesbiana y cada noticia que escucho en contra de la comunidad LGBT me preocupa de sobre manera y no solo por mi hija, sino por los miles que pertenecen a esta comunidad.

Yo creo que los homofóbicos se sienten con el permiso de lastimar a la comunidad LGBT, porque ésta administración a nivel federal no hace nada por castigar a quienes atacan a las minorías.

Lo hemos visto también en la comunidad inmigrante, tal como ha sucedido en centros comerciales, restaurantes, cafeterías, etc. donde cualquier persona ataca a alguien solo por tener un color de piel diferente o por hablar en un idioma que no sea inglés.

Muchas personas que tienen hijos pertenecientes a la comunidad LGBT viven bajo el temor de que sus hijos sean atacados tan solo por expresar su amor a su pareja en público.

Eduquemos a nuestros hijos con amor, enseñémosles a respetar a todas las personas sin importar su apariencia, color de piel o sexualidad.

Con amor Gina.

[colorlatina]

Culture Shifting // El Cambio Lleva Tiempo

(Spanish follows / seguido en español)

By Gina Millan

In October of 2012, I had my first opportunity to present to a “parents group” on how to talk with children and youth about sex and sexuality.

At that time, approximately 50 people attended and I didn’t have access to the list to know the participants’ names.

Last week, one of the women from the 2017-2018 programming at Federal Elementary School said: “Can I tell you something without offending you?” Of course I said yes.  And here is the story…

Magda:  

“I met you at a conference in the mountains a few years ago, and to be honest I didn’t like what you said. I felt uncomfortable with the way you spoke, so directly. When we left I was very frustrated because I felt that your presentation offended my culture and religion. You talked about sex, sexuality and abortion in a way that bothered me.

But two years ago I heard that you were coming to present at Tennyson and I wanted to hear you again.

The truth is that I really liked it and I realized that you were right, when you presented in such a natural way a few years ago at the conference.

I have participated in your cafecitos for the last two years and now I know that you weren’t trying to offend my culture or religion, but that you were just giving information that I wasn’t ready to receive or assimilate.

You have no idea how much you have changed my life with your talks. Now I have better communication with my sons and my husband. I feel that I'm more prepared to provide sexual education in a more comprehensive way to my sons. Now I know that talking naturally about the body is the best way to help them make the best decisions.

Thank you Gina, your work has changed my life. I’m still a very religious person, but also informed.”

For me it was very rewarding to hear this because I can see how the work that I have been doing with the community is generating good results. The best example I have is that a few weeks ago I presented my abortion story at a school to a women group. We are fighting against abortion stigma, and we are also helping women feel confident about talking with their children and youth about sex and sexuality.

Building  trust takes time.  Our sustained base-building work is allowing us to inform and educate. Broadening our perspectives takes years. And look at the results! #yeswecan

/ / 

En octubre de 2012 di por primera vez un taller para padres de cómo hablar de sexo y sexualidad con los hijos en una conferencia a nivel estado en Breckenridge, Colorado organizado por la Coalición para Padres de Colorado.

Hubo alrededor de 50 personas en esa ocasión, pero no tuve acceso a la lista así que nunca supe los nombres de los asistentes.

La semana pasada, el 17 de mayo para ser exactos, una de las señoras que atendía la última plática del año escolar 2017-2018 en la primaria Federal me dijo: ¿le puedo decir algo sin que se ofenda? Obviamente le dije que sí, y aquí va la historia…

Magda:  

“Yo la conocí hace muchos años en un taller que dio en las montañas (Breckenridge) y la verdad no me gustó la platica, me sentí muy incómoda con su forma de hablar tan directa; cuando salimos del salón yo estaba muy frustrada porque sentía que había ofendido mi cultura y mi religión, porque usted había hablado del sexo, la sexualidad y el aborto de una manera que a mi me incomodó.

Pero hace como dos años escuche que usted vendría a dar una plática a la primaria Tennyson y quise volver a escuchar su plática.

Y la verdad me gustó mucho, me di cuenta que usted estaba en lo correcto cuando habló de manera tan natural hace años en la conferencia.

He participado en sus cafecitos por los últimos dos años y ahora sé que usted no estaba ofendiendo ni a mi cultura ni a mi religión, solamente me estaba dando una información que yo no estaba lista para recibir y mucho menos entender.

No sabe cómo me han cambiado la vida sus pláticas, ahora puedo tener mejor comunicación con mis hijos y mi esposo; me siento mejor preparada para darles a mis hijos una educación sexual comprensiva. Ahora sé que hablar de manera natural del cuerpo es lo mejor que puedo hacer para que ellos puedan tomar decisiones correctas.

Gracias Gina, su trabajo me ha cambiado la vida, sigo siendo una mujer de fe, pero informada”.

Para mi fue muy gratificante escuchar esto porque puedo ver como el trabajo que hacemos en la comunidad está dando buenos resultados. Mi mejor ejemplo es que hace unas semanas pude presentar la historia de mi aborto a mi grupo de mujeres en una escuela. Estamos avanzando en la lucha contra el estigma que rodea al tema del aborto, pero no solo eso, también estamos logrando que nuestras mamás hablen con sus hijos del sexo y sexualidad.

Toma tiempo llegar a la gente y que con el trabajo de base constante y sostenido podemos informar y educar. Abrir nuestras perspectivas sobre las cosas, entender en un sentido más amplio, eso es tarea de años. Y qué tal el resultado! #sisepuede

[colorlatina]

Immigrants and self-care

(Spanish to follow)

By Gina Millan

Self-care among Latinas is almost non-existent. Most of the women in our community have from one to three jobs, in addition to being housewives and taking care of our families.

Many of our women do not even have access to health insurance. Therefore they can not take care of their health in appropriate ways, much less have free time for themselves.

Talking with the women who attend my parent workshops, I realized that they do not know what self-care means! These are some answers I had in one of my groups.

Me: What does self-care mean to you?

Participant 1: Taking care not to commit a traffic infraction so that the police does not stop me and deports me

Participant 2: Using contraceptives and doing my medical exams every year.

Participant 3: Doing a good job so that I do not get fired, because if they fire me, where do I get the money to support my children?

After I explained to them what self-care is, some laughed and said, "That's for the rich, we do not have time to take time off or rest."

Somehow they are right! I was a factory worker for 7 years. I worked right up to the day before giving birth to my daughter and 6 weeks later I had to return to the factory where I worked for 12 hours. Then I cleaned houses, up to five houses in a single day.

In both cases, when I returned home I had to cook, take care of my daughter, clean my house and obviously tend to my husband. So, what time did I have for my self-care?

Honestly, most of our immigrant women do not have the privilege of taking time for themselves. Under this anti-immigrant administration our women are at high risk of depression or anxiety.

I share a couple of tips to relax a little after a difficult day, take a few minutes in your favorite chair with hot coffee or when you are in the shower do a head massage while putting on the shampoo. These are simple things that can fit into our busy lives. When we don’t have resources of time and money, we get creative - and as immigrant women, we are very resourceful!

Las inmigrantes y el autocuidado.

El autocuidado en las latinas es casi inexistente, ya que la mayoría de las mujeres de nuestra comunidad tienen de uno a tres trabajos; además de ser amas de casa y cuidar de su familia.

Muchas de nuestras mujeres ni siquiera tienen acceso a un seguro médico, por lo tanto no pueden cuidar de su salud de manera apropiada, mucho menos tienen tiempo libre para ellas mismas.

Hablando con las señoras que atienden mis talleres para padres, me di cuenta que ¡no saben que significa autocuidado! Estas son algunas respuestas que obtuve en uno de mis grupos.

Yo: ¿Qué significa para ustedes el autocuidado?

Señora 1: Cuidarse de no cometer un infraccion de transito para que no me pare la policia y me deporten.

Señora 2: Usar anticonceptivos y hacerme mis exámenes médicos cada año.

Señora 3: Hacer buen trabajo para que no me corran, porque si me corren, ¿de donde sacaré dinero para mantener a mis hijos?

Después de que les explique que significaba autocuidado, algunas se rieron y comentaron, “Eso es para las ricas, nosotras no tenemos tiempo de tomar tiempo libre o descansos.”

¡De alguna manera ellas tienen razón! Yo fui obrera por 7 años y trabajé hasta un día antes de parir a mi hija.  Seis semanas después tuve que regresar a la fábrica en la que trabajaba hasta 12 horas. Después limpie casas, hasta cinco casas en un solo día.

En ambos casos, cuando regresaba a mi casa tenía que cocinar, cuidar a mi hija, limpiar mi casa y obvio atender a mi marido. Entonces ¿a qué hora tenía tiempo para mi autocuidado?

Honestamente la mayoría de nuestras mujeres inmigrantes no tienen el privilegio de darse un tiempo para ellas mismas y bajo esta administración tan anti-inmigrante nuestras señoras corren un alto riesgo de sufrir depresión o ansiedad.

Les comparto un par de consejos para relajarse un poco después de un día difícil, tome unos minutos en su sillón favorito con cafecito caliente o cuando esté en la regadera dese un masaje en la cabeza mientras se pone el champú. Estas son cosas simples que pueden caber en nuestras ocupadas vidas. Cuando no tenemos tiempo ni dinero, nos volvemos creativas y como mujeres inmigrantes, ¡somos muy ingeniosas!

[colorlatina]

The Latino Community and Abortion/El aborto y la comunidad latina

Written by Gina Millan

(Spanish version below)

Working with Spanish-speaking Latina women, I can assure you that abortion is the most difficult issue for me to discuss. Even though I talk about masturbation, contraception, sex and sexuality, among many others with them at our cafecitos or parenting workshops. The main reason is due to religious reasons, obviously, for being a taboo subject.

The intention of this blog is to make society aware that abortion is a reproductive right and a public health issue that has nothing to do with faith, with the values of politicians or religious leaders.

But how to talk about abortion without offending susceptibilities? Well, starting from the concept that every woman has the right to decide about her own body which means that I and ONLY I can know what is best for me! Now, how do we explain this concept to a Latina when we have been educated in a macho society and oppressed by religion?

The reasons I hear about why woman should not undergo an abortion under any circumstances are based on religious books that obviously place the responsibility of pregnancy on women, I have never heard another reason other than religious. And this further complicates talking about abortion as part of women's rights.

The stigma of abortion marginalizes and embarrasses women who seek this service and the providers themselves. Obviously, this stigma forces women to perform abortions in unhealthy and insecure conditions, especially in countries where abortion, is not only illegal but is punished by many years of imprisonment even when an abortion occurred naturally. 

One of the problems surrounding abortion is the lack of information. Many Latina moms do not know how to have a conversation about abortion with their children, because they also did not receive this information, nor did their mothers, nor their grandmothers, nor any women in their family. As a result, new generations may be misinformed or not feel confident in their family environment to address this issue at home.

We have to break with this circle of disinformation and oppression. Understand and accept that all people have the right to a healthy sex life. But we must also know that we will possibly face different situations for which we are not in a position to have a child, such as failures in contraceptive methods, or personal circumstances that transform that moment into unfavorable, situations that put at risk the health or life of the pregnant woman or malformations in the fetus, among others.

Each of us has sexual rights for the right to decide in a free and informed way about our sexuality and our body, to decide how many children we want to have and when (reproductive autonomy). We have the right to sexual and reproductive health services, sexual education and to live free of all discrimination.

It's time to think about our own well-being, it's time to erase from our minds all those myths and taboos that do not let us live happy, it's time to be respected.

El aborto y la comunidad latina

Trabajando con mujeres latinas de habla hispana puedo asegurar que el aborto es el tema que más se me ha dificultado y miren que hablo de masturbación,métodos anticonceptivos, sexo y sexualidad, entre muchos otros. La principal razón es por cuestiones religiosas y obvio por ser un tema tabú.

La intención de este blog es concientizar a la sociedad de que el aborto es un derecho reproductivo y un tema de salud pública que nada tiene que ver con la fe, con los valores de los políticos o de los líderes religiosos.

Abi, Maria and Sophia recently joined Gina and Victoria Gomez Betancourt to present abortion stories for the 1in3 Campaign’s Remarkably Normal: Extraordinariamente Normal Spanish - translation

¿Pero cómo hablar del aborto sin herir susceptibilidades? Bueno, partiendo del concepto de que cada mujer tiene derecho a decidir sobre su propio cuerpo lo cual significa que ¡YO y SOLO YO puedo saber lo que es mejor para mí! Ahora, cómo explicamos a una latina este concepto cuando hemos sido educadas en una sociedad machista y oprimidas por la religión.

Las razones que escucho de porque ninguna mujer debería practicarse un aborto bajo ninguna circunstancia están basadas en libros religiosos que obviamente ponen la responsabilidad del embarazo en las mujeres, nunca he escuchado otra razón que no sea de carácter religioso. Y esto complica aún más hablar del aborto como parte de los derechos de las mujeres.  

El estigma del aborto margina y avergüenza a las mujeres que buscan este servicio y a los proveedores mismos. Obviamente esto orilla a nuestras mujeres a practicarse abortos en condiciones insalubres e inseguras especialmente en los países en los que el aborto además de ser legal es castigado con muchos años de prisión aun cuando el aborto fue natural.

Uno de los problemas entorno al aborto es la falta de información. Muchas mamás latinas no saben cómo tener una conversación acerca del aborto con sus hijos, porque ellas tampoco recibieron esta información, ni sus madres, ni sus abuelas, ni ninguna mujer en su familia. En consecuencia, las nuevas generaciones pueden estar mal informadas o no sentirse en confianza con su entorno familias para abordar este tema en casa.

Tenemos que romper con este círculo de desinformación y de opresión. Entendamos y aceptemos que todas las personas tenemos derecho a una vida sexual saludable. Pero también debemos saber que posiblemente enfrentaremos distintas situaciones por las cuales no estamos en condiciones de tener un hijo; como fallas en los métodos anticonceptivos, circunstancias personales que transforman ese momento en poco favorable, situaciones que ponen en riesgo la salud o la vida de la mujer embarazada o malformaciones en el feto, entre otras.  

Cada una de nosotras tenemos derechos sexuales como el derecho a decidir de manera libre e informada sobre nuestra sexualidad y nuestro cuerpo, a decidir cuántos hijos queremos tener y cuándo (autonomía reproductiva), a servicios de salud sexual y reproductiva, a la educación sexual y a vivir libres de toda discriminación.

Es tiempo de pensar en nuestro propio bienestar, es tiempo de borrar de nuestra mente todos esos mitos y tabúes que no nos dejan vivir felices, es tiempo de ser respetadas.

[colorlatina]

Latinizing Abortion Stories

Reflections on my experience Latinizing abortions stories for COLOR’S Transcreation Project:

Why did I choose to participate?

By Monica Padilla It is my experience that simply speaking the word “abortion” instantly leads the listener to a place of often-contrary emotions, thoughts, and judgments.  This appears to be true in mainstream culture. However, in the Latinx culture, whose traditional and often confusing odes to chastity, motherhood, religion, and gender norms are at the forefront, “olvidate”, the word “aborto” fills the air with stigma and …disdain. For this reason, a woman is often filled with shame at the mere thought of having an abortion and many times destined to a guilt-ridden life if she follows through often feeling alone and lacking support, because, “que diran?” I would like to think that was then, generations ago, but repeatedly I hear stories of mujeres sharing how true this is for them still today. They hide in a closet of secret shame. Shame keeps us a prisoner as it silences us with invisible shackles; shame keeps us from rising. My body, my choice echoes across a march supporting women's rights; I like the sound of this. It feels right in my soul. I join the chant and scream:

My body! My choice! Her body! Her choice!

I feel strong as my body vibrates these words. As a previously conservative, religious, and pro-life Chicana this feeling was often foreign to me. For a mere second I doubt my beliefs about abortion and choice. This topic has a way of resurrecting familial, cultural, and religious roots. Whose dogma do I follow? I ask myself, as I silence the inner voices of my own oppressor and I begin again:

My body, My choice!  

I then hear my own seven-year-old daughter marching next to me chanting in her little girl voice:

My body, My choice!

I hear my six-year-old son chanting in his little boy voice,

“Her body, Her Choice!”

I smile with confirmation; I know this is the only truth I will support.  

Yes! I say to her, Your body, baby Your choice!

To him I say, Yes, that’s right, “Her body, Her choice!”

This is indeed the world I want for them! At such a pivotal time in history, mujeres need to continue to join forces and continue the fight that says:

I matter! I will use my voice!

Women should have the right to make informed decisions concerning their, physical, mental, spiritual, political, and economic well-being. This is what reproductive justice is about and it doesn't stop here. It is merely the entrance to a world of all human rights. It is a door that leads to the empowerment of women and also taking into consideration all intersections, so women of all ages know that they have options, access, and education to information affecting their very lives. It is important women proceed informed and powerful in their decisions and take action from a place of clarity and options. I see our future full of women awakened to a world in which they are the master designers of their life. Historically, for the Latinx community this has not always been true. I feel a change coming, I see women rising globally. This is the world I strive for and believe in, a world of equality and justice for all.

This is why I love the agency, COLOR. They are dedicated to the education and empowerment of our comunidad, using the door of reproductive justice to enter into the world of all justices for mujeres, and ultimately for all people!

This is why I chose to be a part of their transcreation abortion project, which involves taking abortion stories and adapting them to reach the Latinx community thru play and storytelling. Now, returning to the odes of sexual purity and religious infiltration interspersed in the very fabric of many Latinx communities. Well, the truth is: we can only reach another human heart when we meet people where they are.  

It is when we speak their language, when we speak their world, their hearts open!

We are often afraid of what is not familiar. Once we share universal experiences of love, loss, and pain and relate at a heart level we intrinsically become unafraid and more connected.

That is what these stories are about, woman sharing their experiences and their journeys to freedom. Transforming these mainstream stories and filling them with nuance and innuendo from our Latinx culture is a powerful vehicle for dismantling the judgment and the stigma that still lingers on. It is a way of interjecting corazón and sazón into difficult stories in an effort to bridge the gap from judgment to empathy. To attempt to reach across generational thoughts embedded in culture and religion that may no longer serve us. I truly believe that where love and genuine human connection are present, there is no space for disdain. Stigma is then slowly eradicated, one story at a time. Instead of crucifying our women, we embrace them knowing we can never truly understand what someone is going through until we've lived their life. May we live with grace and commitment to helping our mujeres rise! Thanks to COLOR for their transcreation project in leading the path toward dismantling abortion stigma in the Latinx community.

[colorlatina]

Abortion access in other countries

Written by Oriana Richmond , COLORado 1in3 Youth Council Member

In the majority of countries worldwide, abortion is legal.  Despite its legality, many countries impose laws on abortion that make abortion inaccessible. There are many other structural and societal barriers that can prevent or make it more difficult for people to terminate an unwanted pregnancy in every country. These can be formal or informal barriers, and can include issues such as why the patient wants an abortion, the cost of the abortion, the location of abortion providers, and a patient’s ability to arrange childcare and work coverage. One formal barrier to abortion worldwide, especially in the Global South, is the influence of the United States government.

While it may seem that access to abortion is not an international issue, the United States actually has substantial influence on reproductive rights and justice in other countries as a result of U.S imperialism and colonization. The Trump administration reinstated the Global Gag Rule in 2017, a law that prevents any organization from receiving United States family planning funding if that organization provides abortion services, referrals, or information. This affects providers regardless if abortion is legal in their country, or if the organization is not using U.S funds specifically for their abortion services. As a result, health providers all over the world have been forced to choose between providing abortion services and keeping their clinics open due to financial need for outside funding. This leads to even more restricted access to abortion, especially in areas that are reliant on U.S funding to provide their healthcare services.

Forcing health providers in other countries to follow U.S imposed regulations on how they can and cannot spend their family planning funding is a colonialist agenda. Abortion is a human right, and providers must have the right to serve their patients and provide comprehensive healthcare without United States interference. Without access to abortion services, unwanted pregnancies and unsafe abortions will increase exponentially. Patients seeking abortion deserve the right to determine what reproductive rights and justice means to them and their country, without interference from imperialist governments such as the United States. It is up to activists in the U.S to stand up to the government’s colonialist policies, and work to ensure that funding is provided for reproductive health care services to those who need it.