Others appreciated that the college brought a speaker with typically underrepresented identities to campus, and were excited to hear about her experiences in the queer Latinx community. Many students and staff present were fans of Rivera’s work. Mendez also emphasized that student voices are necessary to figure out what speakers students are interested in seeing at the college.Īttendees of the event included not only Amherst students, but also students and faculty from neighboring universities.

“It was very important to us to have a speaker who could highlight the diversity within Latinx communities, recognizing that the Latinx experience is not a monolithic experience,” said Lupita Mendez, interim director of the MRC. All students involved in the planning met and discussed which speaker they’d like to see at the college, ultimately choosing Rivera. The talk covered Rivera’s work and the inspiration behind her famous novel, “Juliet Takes a Breath ,” as well as her Marvel Comics series “America,” which features the titular character America Chavez, a queer Latinx superhero.Īlthough presented by the MRC, the event was planned by a committee consisting of students interested in planning programs for Latinx Heritage Month, with La Causa - the college’s Latinx student affinity group - serving as one of the co-sponsors. During the event, Rivera discussed her tumultuous journey as a writer and the importance of joy, family, and self-care.

22, the Multicultural Resource Center (MRC) hosted prominent queer Puerto Rican author and activist Gabby Rivera in Johnson Chapel as its keynote speaker for Latinx Heritage Month. Author Gabby Rivera poses with students following her talk in Johnson Chapel.

Author gabby rivera