i’ve been wanting to talk about the recent influx of opposition to the term “latinx” but i really don’t want to be the spokesperson for everyone, so i really just want to say that for me as a queer person, i feel most comfortable with the term “latinx”.

and as a queer latinx person living in the US with a complicated history with my own identities, it’s a term i have felt the most represented by. it’s a term that has helped me understand my history, culture, and personal experiences.

i have tried to use “latina” and even just very recently i tried it again, but it doesn’t feel like a term that accurately represents who i am and the complexity of my experiences not only with culture but queerness.

and i hate that the narrative now is that “white non-latinx people created the term” which is demonstrably untrue. “latinx” was created by and for queer latinx people, specifically trans latinx people. this term didn’t just pop out of nowhere.

i’m not going to force anyone to use that term for themselves because that’s ridiculous and completely defeats the purpose. but spreading falsehoods and alienating the people who use it is harmful.

also i’m not looking for an argument. use whatever term you feel most comfortable with, live your life, and support each other. debating the validity of “latinx” feels a lot like debating the validity of queerness and i can’t let that slide.

https://twitter.com/alliewithbooks/status/1295572190851555328?s=21 https://twitter.com/alliewithbooks/status/1295572190851555328