The Multicultural Center filled with students on Thursday for a release party for “La Jotera,” the Latinx LGBTQIA magazine.
As students enjoyed tamales catered by Mami’s Mexican grill, Veronica Alvarado, the director of “La Jotera,” kicked off the event by describing the history of the magazine and reading a letter from the Jotera staff, located on the front page of this year’s issue.
Alvarado said the magazine is meant to show support to Latinx LGBTQIA students because some feel they have to choose between one identity or the other.
She described how Latinx people and LGBTQIA members both fight for equality, but noted that the fight for Latinx equality can overshadow the intersectional struggle of those who identify as both.
“We want to show the LGBTQIA community that we appreciate them,” Alvarado said.
The cover of this year’s edition features a list of names that the editor’s letter says is “dedicated to members of the LGBTQIA who have been wrongfully murdered since 2016,” specifically noting that some of these people were victims of the shooting in Orlando last year.
(From right to left) The genderqueer, gay pride and agender flags hung in the Multicultural Center throughout the La Jotera release party. (Braedon Kwiecien/Emerald)
Richard Alvarez, an intern for Alvarado who designed the magazine, said the name “La Jotera,” is significant to the publication’s mission. He said the word derives from a derogatory word in Spanish for a gay person, and the use of Jotera symbolizes a community reclaiming the term.
“[The magazine] is for hispanic members of the LGBTQIA and their allies,” he said.
Alvarez’s photography is featured in the final spread of the magazine: images of the rally held in Portland following Trump’s inauguration. Across from the photos are two sentences set on a black background: “Fuck the 45th President. Our Existence is Resistance.”
Alvarado said this is one of her favorite pages.
“La Jotera” is typically produced annually, according to Alvarado, but it was discontinued years ago because no one wanted to start it up the following year.
The funding for this year’s edition was scraped together from fundraising and an original $250 budget. Because of this, only 100 copies were produced and even fewer can be found around campus as many students took them home after the release party.
Alvarado said next year’s edition isn’t certain to be produced because a new director would have to take on the project and fundraise again.
If students are looking for a copy, Alvarado said to look in the Women’s Center, and there may be copies remaining in the Multicultural Center.
