A brand new group in North Texas is making a protected and inclusive area for queer ladies of colour, one occasion at a time.
The group, known as Women Love Us, was based in Might by companions Yoly Rojas and Domenick Flores. It goals to domesticate a supportive and inclusive neighborhood for BIPOC lesbians within the Dallas-Fort Price space by means of social gatherings, volunteer alternatives and networking.
Reflecting on id and belonging
On an August afternoon at a Dallas restaurant, Rojas, Flores and member Magge Nuñez took a second to mirror on what it means to be a queer Latina in Texas.
“I simply did not see those that seemed like me or felt like me in that life-style,” Rojas instructed CBS Information Texas. “If I even go on TikTok, and search for Latina lesbians, you do not see a lot. You do not see it on Instagram, so it is like, however we’re right here.”
Discovering protected areas, particularly for Latina lesbians, wasn’t straightforward.
“Rising up it has felt actually like a taboo subject, that individuals do not actually wish to discuss to,” mentioned Nuñez, who can be a DJ with the group. “A variety of the lesbian bars actually curate for white people.”
Filling a niche in DFW
Rojas is from Chicago; Flores is from Irving. Because the couple started searching for extra lesbian-friendly areas, they realized there was an absence. Seeing the hole in illustration and neighborhood in Dallas-Fort Price, they determined to create the group.
“Within the homosexual neighborhood we have all the time needed to do it below the desk and assist one another on the low,” Flores mentioned. “Our neighborhood wants someplace to go, wants someplace protected, a spot that they will name dwelling, that is one thing that they do not have proper now, so to really feel that void, that is what I need Women Love Us to do.”
Greater than only a social membership
Whether or not it is bingo night time or a day social gathering, the group hosts occasions at queer-owned venues, that includes queer DJs like Nuñez. For these ladies, the group is greater than only a social membership—it is a motion targeted on neighborhood, belonging and visibility.
“As a mix of each, proper—a mix as a queer particular person, and a Salvadorian particular person—it is actually arduous to be seen, so I’ve taken it upon myself to actually be unapologetically my identities wherever I’m going,” mentioned Nuñez.
“For me, it is not a lot affect, it is impression, and the truth that we’re impacting our individuals and giving them an area to exist,” Rojas mentioned.
Rising quick and planning forward
In simply 4 months, Women Love Us has garnered 1000’s of followers on-line, leveraging social media to advertise its occasions. The group at present has greater than 300 energetic members.
“Oh man, they actually find it irresistible. Each time we have now an occasion individuals hit us up, ‘Man this was a lot enjoyable, please do one other one, we have to schedule,’ so we’re all the time consistently considering of various methods we are able to curate one thing,” mentioned Flores.
The group plans to host a fundraiser for the Useful resource Middle of Dallas and is working to create a mentorship program for LGBTQ youth. For these Latinas, the group is greater than only a night time out—it is about celebrating their queer identities and reminding the subsequent era their existence issues.
“In case you exist, you belong. There’s area so that you can belong. You may positively belong right here, and if not, completely, you possibly can create that area so that you can belong,” Rojas mentioned.
Massive occasion deliberate for August
The group is internet hosting a serious occasion on Aug. 16 that includes Latina R&B singer Amanda Perez.
