In this episode of Jotxs y Recuerdos, Carmen Castillo, a queer musician and artist from Reynosa, Tamaulipas, discusses her journey through various musical genres, including punk, hip hop, and ska. She also shares her experiences of coming out, dealing with misogyny, and the importance of community support in the Rio Grande Valley. Carmen emphasizes the role of music in advocating for social causes, such as her corrido for Bekah Hinojosa, a local environmental activist. She speaks the impact of external forces like SpaceX on the community and the need for resilience and resistance in the face of gentrification.

In this episode of Jotxs y Recuerdos, Andrea Casares, a bisexual Indigenous-Chicana with Black ancestry from the Rio Grande Valley and a caretaker of the land, pays tribute to her Tía/Tío Mike (1961-2019), a queer elder whose influence shaped her creativity and her relationship with the tierra. She also reflects on her family's painful history of violence, including the lynching of her ancestors by John Closner, Tom Mayfield, and the Texas Rangers. Andrea shares her efforts to raise awareness about this history, including her role in organizing the upcoming "Save the San Juan Hotel" event on April 12, 2025. This community event will honor local history and provide a space for mourning and healing. The podcast explores the deep connections between queer, Indigenous, and Black histories in the Valley, emphasizing the importance of community healing.

*You can find Andrea on Instagram @casita_casares– stay tuned for her upcoming projects and plantita (plant) updates!

*Follow @save_the_san_juan_hotel

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This episode is dedicated to Miguel (Mike) Watts

Michael Jones is a Black gay artist and poet with a background in philosophy from the northeast but relocated to the Rio Grande Valley (RGV) in 2006, where he discovered both creative freedom and a sense of belonging. In this episode, he reflects on his childhood, recalling moments like impersonating Diana Ross. He delves into his cruising experience at Archer Park, explores his intersecting identities, addresses the absence of Black queer representation along the border, and discusses his artistic journey, which often examines themes of race, sexuality, social justice, and ontology.

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Recorded 2024, Released 2025

In this episode of "Jotxs y Recuerdos," host Alexandra Salazar interviews Kandi Kasket (also known as Roxanna), a non-binary/asexual Latina. Kandi discusses her journey of self-discovery, including her experiences with asexuality and drag, and the challenges she faced in coming out. She emphasizes the importance of queer spaces and representation, particularly in the Rio Grande Valley. Roxanna also highlights her work with "Drag Out HIV" to raise awareness about HIV and promote safe sex.
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Recorded and released 2018

Esteban Silva, a queer Latino from Pharr, Texas, discusses his journey growing up in the Rio Grande Valley, where he faced challenges hiding his identity due to religious and societal pressures. He recounts a pivotal moment at age seven when his mother explained that same-sex marriage contradicts the Bible. Despite support from teachers, he felt isolated and struggled with his identity. Esteban came out accidentally during his first day at college and found acceptance in Oklahoma, where he pursued a bachelor's in fine arts with a minor in Gothic literature. He also shares his experiences with brujeria, passed down by his grandmother, and reflects on the changes in the Valley's acceptance of queer individuals.
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Recorded and released 2017

Kimberly Sanchez, is a trans woman from San Juan, Texas. She aspires to become a physical therapist, motivated by her mother's 1999 accident. Kimberly shares how she came out at 17, initially hiding her identity due to bathroom access issues and misgendering. However, because of her supportive mom she was able to live her truth. In the tail end of the episode, Julie Sanchez, Kimberly's mom offers advice to other parents with queer and trans children. She says, "I would say that it is kind of hard [to accept them] especially if they are your first child. But they are your children. And they do come from you. You are the mother so accept them the way they are, because, any way they are, they're special."
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Recorded and released 2017

Anel Flores, a queer/lesbian Chicana story maker, discusses her inception and impact of La Otra Taller Nepantla Artist Residency, held February 2021 in Arroyo City, a town in the Rio Grande Valley. Inspired by Gloria Anzaldua's 1995 residency, Flores paid homage to the nurturing environment for artists to create freely. Anel re-created the residency to provide a safe, supportive space for queer, BIPOC artists. In this episode, residency fellows shared their experiences, highlighting the importance of community, feedback, and the healing power of nature.
https://anelflores.com/la-otra-taller-3

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Recorded and released 2022

Noe Gonzalez-Schwenneker, a queer woman from Pharr, Texas discusses what it is was like being queer along the border. Noe describes various queer spaces in the Rio Grande Valley (Montrose, Trade Bar, and Jackie O's), including bars across the border in Reynosa, Tamaulipas, Mexico. She also speaks on how the Orlando shooting impacted her. Towards the end of the episode, Noe's wife, Davia, a lesbian from Montana, shared her experience of coming out later in life and finding happiness in Houston's inclusive environment. Both emphasized the importance of being true to oneself.
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Recorded and released in 2017.