During Latinx History Month we recognize and celebrate the cultures, histories, contributions, issues, and heritage of Latinx people. Originating in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week under President Lyndon Johnson, it was expanded by President Ronald Reagan in 1988 to become a 30-day period starting on September 15 — the independence date of Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua — and ending on October 15. Mexico and Chile’s independence dates are celebrated during the month as well, on September 16 and September 18, respectively.
Nowadays, there's a growing trend, especially in the LGBTQ community, to use Latinx. So what does Latinx mean? Latinx is the gender-neutral term for Latino, Latina, and Latin@. In Spanish, much of the vocabulary has the ending “O” or “A,” with “O” being masculine and “A” being feminine. Using Latinx eliminates barriers and includes all Latin people!
Throughout Latinx Heritage Month, it’s been an honor to work alongside my Latinx peers in GLSEN’s National Student Council to share Latinx icons that have made an impact on us. Below is a compilation of these icons. Each of these icons belongs in classroom curriculum. It's a way for students, such as myself, to feel reflected, honored, and valued within both the school community and the community at large. For more ways to support LGBTQ Latinx students at school, see these GLSEN resources.
Con mucho amor.
-Mari Contreras, GLSEN National Student Council
Are there any other Latinx icons that have made an impact on you as an LGBTQ student? Send them our way by sharing on Instagram and tagging @glsenofficial!
Mari Contreras, Soli Guzman, and Marisa Matias are members of GLSEN's National Student Council.