Presenter biographies will be linked below as they become available. Final program subject to change.
This session combines two presentations on the deportation, detention, and activism of LGBTQ undocumented immigrants.
“Liberation Not Deportation #not1more”
Human Rights Watch released a 70-page report in March on the conditions of trans and gender-nonconforming immigrants currently being held in I.C.E. detention centers across the nation. For the first time, the abuse, sexual assault, and solitary confinement was recorded in a study. This publication was released shortly after Jennicet Gutierrez interrupted President Obama at the Pride Reception, calling for “not one more deportation” and an end to trans detention. This action sparked a national conversation highlighting the urgency of organizing a movement to stop the human rights violations trans immigrants are currently facing. While many of the organizational leaders present at the White House Pride Reception were there to celebrate the marriage equality decision, Jennicet reminded all of us that trans immigrants don’t even have marriage on their horizon as they are facing serious and life-threatening abuse at the hands of I.C.E. As we look to build a strong and unified LGBTQ Latinx movement, ending trans detention must be a central component. This session is organized and presented by three activists from Familia: Trans Queer Liberation Movement: Jorge Gutierrez, Jerssay Arredondo, and Jennicet Gutiérrez.
“Behind Bars Without Citizenship: Immigration Detention and Queer Public Health in the Deportation Era”
In this presentation, Jesus Barrios will be sharing preliminary findings from a qualitative, participatory, and ethnographic research project which looks to understand the health implications of immigration detention on LGBTQ people. Specifically this research project looks to answer questions such as how is health status of LGBTQ people affected by immigration detention, and how public health may not only create systems that support the wellbeing of LGBTQ people subjected to Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody, but also support LGBTQ people re-integrate into their respective communities upon release. In addition, this project zooms in on the social, political, and economic contexts and existence of this system to better contribute to the processes working to eradicate U.S. immigration detention.