Latina/o/x/e Heritage Month

The term "Latino" means that our families have roots in Latin American nations, which include not only Spanish-speaking communities but also Portuguese-speaking (in the case of Brazil) as well. In Spanish, the "o" at the end of "Latino" can mean "male" or include men and women as a group. "Latina" would mean only women. Civil rights movements in the United States have opened avenues for us to question our gender identity, demand recognition for all members of the community, and also create space in which we can refute normative gender identities--such as by using "Latinx." And more recently, the term "Latine" has entered the lexicon.

For further explanation, read Terry Blas' mini comic “Latinx” is Growing in Popularity. I Made a Comic to Help You Understand Why" and check out the following video.

Arts, Cultural, and Civic Organizations: 

Since 1968, UnidosUS has served the Hispanic community through our research, policy analysis, and state and national advocacy efforts, as well as in our program work in communities nationwide and through our network of over 300 affiliates across the country. https://www.unidosus.org/

The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) is the largest and oldest Hispanic organization in the United States. LULAC advances the economic condition, educational attainment, political influence, housing, health and civil rights of Hispanic Americans through community-based programs operating at more than 1,000 LULAC councils nationwide. The organization involves and serves all Hispanic nationality groups. https://lulac.org

Since 1989, the National Association of Latino Arts and Cultures (NALAC) has delivered programs that stabilize and revitalize the US Latino arts and cultural sector via funding, leadership training, convenings, research, and advocacy. https://www.nalac.org