By Eduardo Morales, Ph.D.–
2023 Partner in Progress Award
AGUILAS received the 2023 Partner in Progress Award from the HIV Advocacy Network on August 21, 2023. The award was given “in recognition of their outstanding efforts to organize and mobilize people living with AIDS with and impacted by HIV over the past year to fight justice for our communities.” AGUILAS’ staff and board members are thrilled to be recognized for our advocacy efforts throughout the year. The award is a great honor for us, representing acknowledgment of the workshops AGUILAS offers through its La Academia program funded by the ViiV Healthcare Foundation.
Latinx Heritage Month
On the evening of October 12, Indigenous Day in California, AGUILAS together with Strut on Castro Street had a celebration of Latinx Heritage Month that featured a Latinx Sexual Health Mixer. There were various entertainers including Betty Fresas, Cassie Brown, and Mahlae Balenciaga with special guest Mr. Safe Latino 2023 Esteban Cuaya-Munoz. The event helped make participants aware of sexual health and the various services provided by both AGUILAS and Strut.
AGUILAS offers community support groups and individual counseling sessions in English, Spanish, and Portuguese. Check the AGUILAS website (https://www.sfaguilas.org/) for more information about them, and about upcoming events, such as our Thanksgiving social on Friday, November 17, at the SF LGBT Center. During it we will give thanks to all our volunteers, staff, and program participants with a festive celebration that will include entertainment and food.
Leadership Development Workshops in November
La Academia of AGUILAS will host a new round of leadership development workshops November 6–9. The four major areas of training will be 1) basic financial knowledge; 2) efficient communication tools, especially for use with the media; 3) legal awareness for Latinx LGBTQI individuals; and 4) effective strategies for advocacy. Those who complete the workshop series will receive certificates from AGUILAS in partnership with Alliant International University. The workshops aim to help others develop important skills that are fundamental to leadership opportunities within our LGBTQI community and allied communities.
Honoring the Life and Legacy of John Marez
Recently, we received the sad news that John Marez died on September 13 at SF General Hospital. He was a past chair of the AGUILAS board for which he also served as a member for many years. John fought a long and courageous battle with kidney disease and pulmonary issues. His family and partner were with him at his side as he peacefully transitioned.
John was very active in our community and led the formation of the candlelight march in honor of the death of Gwen Araujo who was a Latinx teen transgender murdered in Newark, CA, in 2002 by a group of men. Gwen’s story is presented as a film on Hulu. Also, John was very involved with GLAAD in San Francisco. He led and helped with past GLAAD fundraisers and served as an event co-chair. His passing is a great loss for our community. May he rest in peace.
Día de Los Muertos in San Francisco
The historic purpose of celebrating Halloween or Hallowed Eve is not about hocus pocus and tricks or treats. It is a preparation for All Saints Day on November 1 by warding off ghosts and letting go of difficult energies to allow for positive energies to emerge.
November 2 is Día de Los Muertos, the Celebration of the Day of the Dead that is also known as All Souls Day. It is based on Mexican and Central American traditions to remember those who have passed. Given this history, the Marigold Project in San Francisco produces the Día de Los Muertos, Festival of Altars, and the Ritual Poetry Circle in Potrero Del Sol Park, located at 25th Street and San Bruno Avenue, starting at 5 pm. A procession assembles at 22nd and Bryant Streets at 6 pm and starts at 7 pm.
The organizers shared, “This year, our focus is JOY, and we pay homage to Coatlicue (Nahuatl for ‘Serpent Skirt’), the Aztec earth goddess, symbolizing the earth as both creator and destroyer, mother of gods and mortals. Coatlicue embodies the spirit of resilience, and we stand united to combat the challenges faced by women worldwide.”
Enjoy the traditions here in San Francisco as we move into the holiday season.
Eduardo Morales, Ph.D. is a Professor Emeritus, retired Distinguished Professor, and current adjunct professor at Alliant International University. He is also a licensed psychologist and a founder and current Executive Director of AGUILAS, an award-winning program for Latinx LGBTQ+. Of Puerto Rican decent, he has received numerous distinguished awards and citations, including being named a Fellow of 12 divisions of the American Psychological Association.
Nuestra Voz
Published on October 19, 2023
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