RJ Robles interviews Jay Lopez about his experience as a gay Latino and drag performer in Tennessee. Jay shares his struggles with machismo culture, his pursuit of his acting dreams, and how the women in his life supported him through his journey. RJ and Jay also discuss the impact that recent anti-trans bills in Tennessee have had on them personally and in their communities.   Jay Lopez was born and raised in México, from Guadalajara, Jalisco. He lives in the United States, and is an actor, comedian, husband, son, brother, uncle, activist and your best ally. He is pro life and always creating content on his social media. Loyal, blessed, loved. You will find him trying new restaurants, on a stage, in front of a camera or translating for someone that is in need.   Follow Jay on social media @soyjaylopez   Encuentros Latinx is part of the Gender and Sexualities Justice Ministries of the United Church of Christ and is funded by the Carpenter Foundation.   Episode credits: Producers: Taylor Ramage, Yuris Martinez Editor: StormMiguel Florez Host: RJ Robles Quality Assurance and Oversight: Rhina Ramos   Music by Oleksii Holubiev from Pixabay https://pixabay.com//?utm_source=link-attribution&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=music&utm_content=123412"   Learn about our church toolkits on racism, LGBTQ inclusion, and transgender stories. https://www.ucc.org/what-we-do/justice-local-church-ministries/justice/health-and-wholeness-advocacy-ministries/encuentros-latinx-toolkits/    Email Rhina Ramos at ramosr @ucc.org to learn about our pastoral coaching program.

Today's episode features SFF author Nico Vazquez, whose short story is appearing in the Latine anthology Places We Build in the Universe. Join us as we chat about finding communities you need in unexpected places, even if you think they aren't there. This is the last one-on-one interview episode of Encuentros Latinx. We're switching to a seasonal format! This means we'll be on hiatus until spring, except for a special episode covering our presence at Creating Change this February.   Instagram: stilesig_ Twitter: knowingstiles  YouTube: Stilesig ( https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCg3Kx9BzIywgb4b9RPajulQ ) ignicovazquez.weebly.com   Podcast recorded by Taylor Ramage and edited by Storm Miguel Florez Email the podcast at encuentroslatinxs@gmail.com

My guest today is Linda Raquel Nieves Pérez, who is another colleague of mine in the forthcoming young adult anthology Where Monsters Lurk and Magic Hides. The book comes out on November 10th and it’s perfect for fans of sci-fi, fantasy, romance, and horror who are looking for Latine stories. On the podcast, Linda shares about a favorite worship song that came from a spiritual church mother and how artistic expression was always an integral part of her church experience. We also talk about the power and beauty in Lizzo’s flute playing, and the problems with policing Latinx identity in the book publishing world. Stick around for the end of the episode where Linda shares an excerpt from her short story called “When They Come.” Let’s get right into this encuentro. You can find Linda's debut short story in the Reclaim the Stars SFF Anthology!  Twitter - @MissLindaBennet Instagram & Tiktok - @linda.reads

The new Encuentros Latinx Trans Visibility toolkit is now live! You can download it and our other toolkits here: https://www.ucc.org/what-we-do/justice-local-church-ministries/justice/health-and-wholeness-advocacy-ministries/proyecto-encuentros-de-gracia-y-bienvenida-toolkits/ This new toolkit features stories from trans folks who you’ve heard on the podcast before–Ilán Carlos, Adora, and Yadi. This is an opportunity for you and your churches to open yourselves to the experiences of trans people, to learn, to grow, and to heal communities. My guest today is another colleague of mine from the Latine anthology Where Monsters Lurk and Magic Hides, which comes out November 10th. Jarrard Raju is a fantasy author and proud witch. We have a great interfaith chat about their practice and experience of witchcraft, including how it’s represented in fantasy media and how its trendiness makes people inclined to hate it or ask practicing witches to show them something cool right off the bat without understanding the harm it can do in untrained hands. Stay tuned for the end of the episode where Jarrard shares an excerpt from their story “Under a Sea of Stars” about an afrolatino mermaid boy who falls in love with a human. Let’s get right into this encuentro. Jarrard's social media ig: @jarrardraju Twt: @jarrardwrites Podcast recorded by Taylor Ramage and edited by Storm Miguel Florez Email the podcast at encuentroslatinxs@gmail.com

On Thursday September 8 at 3:30 Eastern, be sure to tune into the UCC’s Thursdays for the Soul Webinar featuring a panel from the Colectivo of Latinx Ministries as we kick off Latinx Heritage Month. You may or may not see a familiar face and hear a familiar voice, haha! The webinar will be streamed on the UCC’s YouTube channel where you can also find video episodes of Encuentros Latinx, like this one! My guest today is Adora Xannifer Ysaguirre and she gives us the second deep dive about music that we’ve had on the podcast. She also shares her journey of how the UCC became family to her as she transitioned and at the end of the episode, she reads her story published in the newest Encuentros Latinx toolkit focusing specifically on transgender inclusion. I truly enjoyed this conversation and I hope you do, too, so let’s get right into this encuentro. Podcast recorded by Taylor Ramage and edited by Storm Miguel Florez Email the podcast at encuentroslatinxs@gmail.com

My guest today is one of my colleagues from the Latinx speculative fiction anthologies that I’ve discussed on the podcast before. M.G. Doherty is a speculative fiction author who has multiple upcoming publications, but I know her for her story “Borders Where Their Bodies Used to Be” which is forthcoming in the adult anthology, Places We Build in the Universe. Borders and liminality are really a through line in our conversation about identity and, for you listeners of a certain age, we both try our best not to make this the Sailor Moon podcast. Stick around to the end to hear an excerpt from “Borders Where Our Bodies Used to Be.” Follow M.G. and keep up with her work Instagram @mgdoherty Twitter @mg_doherty  “Close your eyes and stay forever” short story in THEIR GHOULISH REPUTATION folk horror anthology (out October 2022) https://darklakepublishing.com/their-ghoulish-reputation/order/  Pre-order/order Swiftie anthology KISS YOUR DARLINGS (out July 2022) https://www.olneymagazine.com/store/p/a8cvayexqrpu4ljqto6du9axihrzao  Podcast recorded by Taylor Ramage and edited by Storm Miguel Florez Email the podcast at encuentroslatinxs@gmail.com

Regular listeners will know that one question I ask all my guests is how they relate to the term “Latinx.” Well, Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez had her own thoughts in this article I found from June 2022. https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/ocasio-cortez-in-mini-rant-criticizes-democrats-for-railing-against-latinx-term/ar-AAY92ZF?rc=1&ocid=winp1taskbar&cvid=95d33f12226f42eeaefe152b07bc8152    AOC, if you wanna be on the podcast, let’s make it happen.   But today’s guest is Ilán Carlos and we delve deeply into discussion about music and spirituality, and how his transition made him more attuned (pun intended) to music’s effect on people. It’s a long one and a good one, so let’s get right into this encuentro.   Ilán’s FB: Ilán Carlos Pabellon Roman; Trueself Foundation Ilán’s IG: @Ilan_carlos_musik; Trueself Foundation   Podcast recorded by Taylor Ramage and edited by Storm Miguel Florez Email the podcast at encuentroslatinxs@gmail.com

My guest today is Sana DelCorazón, whose spiritual journey spans from born-again evangelicalism to unitarianism to unitarians considering christ–our favorite UCC joke. We discuss coming out and family relationships and what Latinx inclusion in the church looks like. And, there’s a little bit of pentacostal pro-wrestling, as a treat. Let’s get right into this encuentro. www.sanadelcorazon.com Podcast recorded by Taylor Ramage and edited by Storm Miguel Florez Email the podcast at encuentroslatinxs@gmail.com

You may remember La Muna from one of our previous episodes. Well, she just wrote a reflection piece for Encuentros Latinx called "5 Loaves and 2 Fish" that you can now find on UCC.org. Encuentros Latinx posts monthly, short reflections for spiritual contemplation, so go check them out if devotional reading is part of your spiritual practice.   I’ve got a book recommendation for you today: Transcendent Kingdom by Yaa Gyasi. It’s about a woman named Gifty who’s the daughter of Ghanain immigrants and is currently a neuroscience PhD candidate. But she comes from a strong Pentecostal background, a mother struggling with mental health issues, and a family tragedy that, over time, upended Gifty’s absolute faith in God. Gifty is forced to confront all of this when her mother enters into her worst spell with her mental health issues in many, many years. This is a phenomenal novel and Gifty’s story reminds me so much of the faith journeys that many of my guests have shared on this podcast.   Speaking of guests, today you’ll hear my conversation with RJ Robles, which spans from an incident with biting ants in Puerto Rico to an expansion and weaving together of multiple spiritualities. It’s quite a ride challenging every barrier of faith and gender, so let’s get right into this encuentro.   Encuentros Latinx reflection piece by La Muna: https://www.ucc.org/5-loaves-of-bread-and-2-fish/   RJ’s social media Instagram: @boiricanjoy  Facebook: RJ Robles  

Today’s episode is the first of what will hopefully be several episodes beautifully combining two areas of my life: my work on this podcast and my work as an author. My guest is Lauren Davila, editor of many anthologies, including two Latinx anthologies coming out this fall. I have a fantasy short story in one of those anthologies. So as we get closer to publication, I’m hoping to bring you some of the other Latinx authors I’m being published with in future episodes. Lauren and I have a wonderful conversation about fiction anthologies as community storytelling spaces and why she enjoys working on them. We also talk about the weird things that happen at Christian colleges and, briefly, whether you can still be Mexican and not like corn. All Latinx experiences are valid here, so let’s get right into this encuentro. Lauren's Twitter: @laurengilmore03 Lauren's Instagram: @laurentdavila Podcast recorded by Taylor Ramage and edited by Storm Miguel Florez Email the podcast at encuentroslatinxs@gmail.com

Maybe it’s alright to risk a little blasphemy when attempting greater love and radical inclusion, which is a running theme in my conversation with today’s guest: Álvaro Durán. We have a great conversation about the colonization of queer language and what salvation rooted in liberation looks like. He also shares all of the work he’s doing in pastoral ministry and advancing LGBTQ rights in El Salvador, so let’s get right into this encuentro. Follow Álvaro’s work with Comunidad de Magdala: https://www.facebook.com/libresencristosv/  Email the podcast at encuentroslatinxs@gmail.com

Attention ministers seeking a new calling. Faith Community United Church of Christ in Bensenville, Illinois seeks a settled, full-time pastor. They’re looking for a leader who speaks strong English and Spanish with a considerable knowledge of both cultures to bridge between current and future members and their ever-changing community. Visit the congregation’s website at www.faithcommunityucc.com. Find this opportunity listing at oppsearch.ucc.org/id/4775.  My guest today is Marcelino Rivera, whose formation in a community focused on sharing and welcoming shaped him into a minister who extends that welcome to those who’ve been forgotten by the church. We talk about some of the limitations of the term Latinx, Latinidad in the UCC, and how the Pulse nightclub shooting changed his ministry. Fun fact: he had an encuentro of his own with Elliot Page and we chat a bit about that encuentro in this encuentro. It’s encuentroception here on the podcast, so let’s get right into it. Racism toolkit: https://www.ucc.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/RACISM-TOOLKIT-2021.pdf LGBTQ+ toolkit: https://www.ucc.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/LGBTQ-TOOLKIT-2021.pdf You can find the video feed and other Encuentros Latinx videos on the UCC's YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL6VgfHt6zEy6fiX4DkjRjuH3Rly3wyeV3 Email the podcast at encuentroslatinxs@gmail.com

Welcome, beautiful listeners, to Encuentros Latinx in 2022. Do you like science fiction and fantasy? Do you want to support new and emerging Black and Latinx authors? Well, you’ll be pleased to know that I have a fantasy short story slated to be published in a young adult Latinx anthology called Where Monsters Lurk and Magic Hides. This is one of three anthologies being published by Bee Infinite Publishing, a Black-owned indie publisher. There’s a Kickstarter running right through January 22 to make these books possible with a wide range of donation levels. This is not only your way of pre-ordering these books, but it’s also an opportunity to support marginalized writers that face an uphill battle with a publishing industry dominated by whiteness. Find Bee Infinite Publishing on Instagram and Twitter to learn more about this campaign and thank you for any donation or spreading of the word you do. Link to the Kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/94423297/bee-infinite-publishings-2022-bipoc-anthology-projects/description You will be blessed to know that the holidays are not over here at Encuentros Latinx. My guest Lisbeth Melendez Rivera tells us all about the months long winter holidays she remembers celebrating in Puerto Rico. Then, we get into one of the most nuanced and in-depth discussions of the term Latinx that I’ve had the pleasure of having on this show. Email the podcast at encuentroslatinxs@gmail.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/UCCEncuentrosLatinx/?ref=py_c

Encuentros Latinx is wrapping up yet another wonderful year with Posadas Navideñas on December 15th at 5pm eastern, 4pm central, and 2pm pacific. Join us yet again on Zoom for music and fellowship.   I have neglected to mention that this podcast now has a video feed sometimes! You can find those videos and videos of other Encuentros Latinx work on the United Church of Christ’s YouTube channel. We have a whole playlist dedicated to our stuff. You might especially want to check out the video of today’s episode because my guest is sharing a video clip from his latest documentary.   Who is this guest? It’s none other than Storm Miguel Florez, the man behind all the editing of every Encuentros Latinx episode! He has so much to share about his experience with gender and sexuality, growing up in a time period and culture where it was just not accepted, yet still finding people who shaped him and helped him grow into identities that break binaries. He also tells us about his film work and other creative stuff he does, so again you will absolutely want to stick around to the end and go check out the video episode on YouTube. You can find the video feed and other Encuentros Latinx videos on the UCC's YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL6VgfHt6zEy6fiX4DkjRjuH3Rly3wyeV3 Email the podcast at encuentroslatinxs@gmail.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/UCCEncuentrosLatinx/?ref=py_c Register for Posadas Navideñas: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfZgv7EgZgQbfGtnbhenj-q16cXdDOwoZv0dqLxaUycvtwVDQ/viewform

We are breaking our usual format this month and bringing you a panel episode with the Encuentros Latinx Advisory Committee demonstrating our racism and LGBTQ+ toolkits. Both resources are available for download and use in your own congregation. Racism toolkit: https://www.ucc.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/RACISM-TOOLKIT-2021.pdf LGBTQ+ toolkit: https://www.ucc.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/LGBTQ-TOOLKIT-2021.pdf You can find the video feed and other Encuentros Latinx videos on the UCC's YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL6VgfHt6zEy6fiX4DkjRjuH3Rly3wyeV3 Email the podcast at encuentroslatinxs@gmail.com

My guest today is Josue Perea and in the spirit of the Halloween season, we start off with a discussion about death and mortality with a little help from some beloved sci-fi series. Then, Josue shares his own experience of the term Latinx and Afrolatinidad, and ties it all into his pastoral work. Just a friendly reminder that Encuentros Latinx has a racism toolkit that you can download for free and use in your own congregation for racial justice work and Josue is the author of one of the passages. You’ll want to stick around to the end of the show to hear his words! Josue's work and social media IG: @guesnerth Afrolatin@forum: www.afrolatinoforum.org Register for Colectivo UCC's Latinx Heritage Month Celebration 4pm ET, 3pm CT, 1pm PT! https://bit.ly/2XE2XOQ

Today's guest is musician La Muna. Those of you who were at General Synod may remember her song Rooted In Your Love. I got a chance to catch up with her and she shares wonderful experiences of her family’s coffee farm in Colombia, the trinitarian nature of her relationship with God, and how her activism has shaped her music. La Muna's music: https://lamuna.bandcamp.com/album/coraz-n-norte https://www.corazonnorte.com/ https://www.youtube.com/user/lamunamusica Email the podcast at encuentroslatinxs@gmail.com. Facebook: UCC Encuentros Latinx This episode was recorded by Taylor Ramage and edited by Storm Miguel Florez.

Today's longer tostones episode is all about General Synod! Get a snapshot of our presence there and the shenanigans I got myself into.

I am very excited to bring you today’s guest, Amparo Ortiz. Amparo is the author of a young adult fantasy book called Blazewrath Games about a Puerto Rican girl who aims to play in an international competition with dragons and she ends up embroiled in an international conspiracy. The sequel, Dragonblood Ring is coming out in October, so look forward to that. In true Puerto Rican fashion, we had a very long conversation starting with memories of Old San Juan and the fanfiction she wrote about the nuns in her Catholic school, then going into how much of the real world artists should use for inspiration. If “Cat Person” means anything to you, that’s what we get into. If not, you’ll just have to find out. We also had a great discussion about religious iconography and grace and forgiveness in the age of social media. And then we brought it all home with a discussion about her current and upcoming work, and Latinx identity in Blazewrath Games. Find the most comfortable couch at your titi’s house because we are not leaving this party for a long, long while. Follow Amparo Ortiz: Twitter: @amparo_ortiz Instagram: @amparo_ortiz TikTok: @amparo_ortiz_author Buy Blazewrath Games: https://bookshop.org/books/blazewrath-games-9781662036941/9781645670797 Pre-order Dragonblood Ring: https://bookshop.org/books/dragonblood-ring/9781645673163 Email the podcast at encuentroslatinxs@gmail.com. Facebook: UCC Encuentros Latinx This episode was recorded by Taylor Ramage and edited by Storm Miguel Florez.

Today's guest is Kristina Lizardy-Hajbi. We have such a great conversation about biracial and biethnic experience, her work with the Colectivo de UCC Latinx Ministries, which is the umbrella collecting all Latinx ministries in the church, and toward the end we grapple with this question of what does it mean for UCC churches to be inclusive of Latinx people? It’s a nice, long episode for you this month! Attention General Synod attendees! Be sure to check out BOTH Encuentros Latinx workshops: When Privilege Enters the Room and Decolonizing Faith. Correction to one of the books mentioned: Aftershocks of Disaster: Puerto Rico Before and After the Storm Edited by Yarimar Bonilla and Marisol LeBrón Email the podcast at encuentroslatinxs@gmail.com. Facebook: UCC Encuentros Latinx This episode was recorded by Taylor Ramage and edited by Storm Miguel Florez.