On May 16-20th, 2022 Oasis Latino-LGBTQIA+ Wellness Center brought together community-based organizations, service providers, activists, and community leaders for a series of web-based discussions as part of the Zero Homophobia National Campaign. This year our central campaign theme was ”I Choose Loving”. Alongside LGBTQ and Latino leaders from across the country and in Latin America, we discussed the importance of loving: ourselves, our families, our love stories, and our resistance and resilience. On day one, our session was on “Loving Ourselves' '. LGBTQ+ Latinxs grow up with negative messages about their lives and desires and from an early age, it is easy to get lost in stereotypes and misinformation. Resisting internalized homophobia is often the first step to self-acceptance and cultivating a positive self-image. Moving away from homophobia on an individual level is often the spark for interpersonal, communal, and greater societal change. Through truly “loving ourselves”, we can resist internalized homophobia and increase LGBTQ+ acceptance. Featuring: Andrea Gallegos, a Sexual Health Educator and psychologist based in Ecuador; Diego Gonzalez-Medina, an HIV Activist and Ballroom Father based in Mexico; and Renato Pérez a Psychotherapist and Counselor based in California. Armonte Butler a Fellowship Coordinator and LGBTQ Activist based in D.C.t.

On May 16-20th, 2022 Oasis Latino-LGBTQIA+ Wellness Center brought together community-based organizations, service providers, activists, and community leaders for a series of web-based discussions as part of the Zero Homophobia National Campaign. This year our central campaign theme was ”I Choose Loving”. Alongside LGBTQ and Latino leaders from across the country and in Latin America, we discussed the importance of loving: ourselves, our families, our love stories, and our resistance and resilience. For day two of the Zero Homophobia campaign we hosted a movie night! We screened the short film, Bibi, and hosted a chat with the team behind the powerful story about the role family plays for LGBTQ+ latinxs’. “Bibi, tells the story of a Latinx father and son who can talk about anything—but only in writing, in the letters, they pass back and forth when the conversation seems too much. Based on the experiences of the filmmakers behind the project, the 18-minute film explores intersectionality in a powerful way, illustrating the beauty and conflict that can arise as we move between languages, places, and societal expectations.” To learn more and watch the full Bibi film: https://www.learningforjustice.org/classroom-resources/film-kits/bibi Featuring: JM Longoria, Lead Actor / Co-Writer / Producer: Bibi Actor / Writer / Producer / Activist Victor M. Dueñas, Director / Co-Writer / Producer: Bibi Writer / Director / Activist Edward Enriquez-Cohen, Producer / Executive Producer: Bibi Actor / Producer / Publicist / Activist

On May 16-20th, 2022 Oasis Latino-LGBTQIA+ Wellness Center brought together community-based organizations, service providers, activists, and community leaders for a series of web-based discussions as part of the Zero Homophobia National Campaign. This year our central campaign theme was ”I Choose Loving”. Alongside LGBTQ and Latino leaders from across the country and in Latin America, we discussed the importance of loving: ourselves, our families, our love stories, and our resistance and resilience. On day three of Zero Homophobia we focused on “Loving Our Love Stories”. In this session, we explored how love has shaped the lives of three different current or former queer, Latinx couples. Our intimate relationships do not happen in a vacuum and impact our connections to family, friends, and colleagues; this is especially true for queer couples. Our guests will share how love has changed not only their lives but inspired change/growth in their friendships, families, and greater community. Featuring: Bevi Stitch & Ashley Najar Olga & Glory Chapman River

On May 16-20th, 2022 Oasis Latino-LGBTQIA+ Wellness Center brought together community-based organizations, service providers, activists, and community leaders for a series of web-based discussions as part of the Zero Homophobia National Campaign. This year our central campaign theme was ”I Choose Loving”. Alongside LGBTQ and Latino leaders from across the country and in Latin America, we discussed the importance of loving: ourselves, our families, our love stories, and our resistance and resilience. Day four of Zero Homophobia 2022 focused on “Loving Our Resistance and Resilience”. LGBTQ+ activists have been at the forefront of struggles for human rights throughout history and built resilient communities even when local and national governments ignored or targeted them. As anti LGBTQ+ legislation sweeps the nation, we heard from Latinx leaders who have made advancing equity their mission. Featuring: Adri Perez the Policy & Advocacy Strategist for LGBTQIA+ Equality at ACLU Texas; Eliazar Posada, a 2022 Carrboro, North Carolina Town Council Candidate; and Elisa Crespo,the Executive Director of the NEW Pride Agenda in New York.

On May 16-20th, 2022 Oasis Latino-LGBTQIA+ Wellness Center brought together community-based organizations, service providers, activists, and community leaders for a series of web-based discussions as part of the Zero Homophobia National Campaign. This year our central campaign theme was ”I Choose Loving”. Alongside LGBTQ and Latino leaders from across the country and in Latin America, we discussed the importance of loving: ourselves, our families, our love stories, and our resistance and resilience. We wrapped up the Week Against Homophobia with an artist chat with Maite about the” I Choose Loving" piece and their work in general on Friday, May 20th, 2022. Maite Nazario is queer, non-binary, Guatemalan, and Puerto Rican multidisciplinary artist and activist based in Atlanta. Their practice includes painting, murals, graphic design, and art directing. As a testament to their love, Matie creates art about their queer and trans community, that in turn becomes a way for Maite to love themselves. Find out more about Maite: https://www.maitenazario.com/

El 30 de junio, Oasis LGBTQS Community Center organizó una conversación virtual en conmemoración de Pulse, con líderes Latines que unen comunidades a lo largo del país. La discusión se centró en cómo les Latines LGBTQ+ han encontrado alegría y seguridad después de la masacre de Pulse y qué podemos hacer como comunidad para detener la violencia. Nuestro objetivo era crear un espacio para que les miembres de nuestra comunidad intercambien sanación e ideas sobre soluciones para la seguridad juntes. Para nuestra lista de recursos de la comunidad de recursos, visite: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1eqnXC6frJROVW4aHP3QK_GT3PJ0wIqDWBlx91BN58TU/edit

On June 30, the Oasis LGBTS Community Center hosted a virtual conversation in commemoration of Pulse, featuring Latinx leaders uniting communities across the nation. The discussion focused on how LGBTQ+ Latinxs have found joy and safety in the aftermath of the Pulse massacre and what we can do as a community to stop violence. Our goal was to create a space for our community members to grieve and brainstorm solutions for safety together. For our resource community resource list, visit: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1eqnXC6frJROVW4aHP3QK_GT3PJ0wIqDWBlx91BN58TU/edit