Roger Thayer Stone Center For Latin American Studies

Tulane University

Katie Acosta Lecture: "How Sexually Nonconforming Latinas Navigate Interracial/Interethnic Same-Sex Relationships"

October 4th, 2010
6:00 - 7:30 PM

Location
Lavin-Bernick Center (LBC)
Room 203
Tulane University
Uptown Campus

“Mami, Soy Lesbiana y Mi Pareja es Morena”: How Sexually Nonconforming Latinas Navigate Interracial/Interethnic Same-Sex Relationships

Abstract: In choosing to enter relationships with a person of the same gender, sexually nonconforming women often face disapproval from the outside world as well as from their own families. Disdain for these relationships can be further exacerbated when the couple does not share a racial or ethnic identity. This paper examines the tensions that sexually nonconforming Latinas report experiencing within their interracial or inter-ethnic partnerships. The data is based on 40 in-depth interviews with lesbian, bisexual and queer Latinas who live in the Northeastern United States. These women have found themselves in relationships with white women, African American women and other Latinas with different nationalities. These partnerships yielded unique tensions for the participants, resulting in their feeling torn by the conflicting needs of their partners and their families of origin. In this paper, I discuss the barriers to intimacy that sexually nonconforming women report experiencing on account of cultural clashes and familial rejections. I document how issues of race, ethnicity, gender and sexuality play out in the family and how the burdens arising from these intersections influence the respondents’ interpersonal relationships. I also explore the complex dynamics that shape how families react when their female loved ones decide to enter relationships with other women many of whom are of a different racial or ethnic background. In doing so, I contribute to our understanding of how Latina/o families handle different levels of non conformity as women transgress both sexual and racial boundaries.

Dr. Acosta is an Assistant Professor in Tulane’s Department of Sociology and is a core faculty member of the Stone Center for Latin American Studies. She completed her Ph.D. at the University of Connecticut and joined the Tulane faculty in 2009.

This event is sponsored by the Multicultural Affairs Office and the Stone Center for Latin American Studies as well as Cultural Awareness Planning Committee. It is free and open to the public.

For more information contact Desirée Anderson via email at danders7@tulane.edu or by phone at 504-865-5181.

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Upcoming Events

Lunch with LAGO featuring Ruben Luciano

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Join the Latin Americanist Graduate Organization (LAGO) on Friday, 1/24 at 12pm for the latest installment of our bi-weekly lunch series. Ruben Luciano is a Ph.D. student in the Tulane University History department, specializing in modern Latin American (specifically, Dominican) history, the military under dictatorship, intersectionality, and gender. He also has two Master’s degrees in the Social Sciences and Health Communication. He’ll be speaking on his thesis project, entitled “Queering the Trujillato: Reinterpretations of Loyalty, Criminality, and Homosociality in the Dominican Military from 1930-61.” Afterwards, we’ll open the floor for a Q & A, allowing for further conversation about Ruben’s work, more practical questions about the dissertation research and writing experience, and navigating the grants application process as a Ph.D. student.

The Labyrinth will be serving mini paninis, bagels, savory spreads and dips, desserts (including tres leches cake) and fresh juices. Please come hungry!

Haitian Artists Showcase at Tulane

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HAITIANOLA and the Stone Center present artists from the Jacmel Arts Center in Jacmel, Haiti. This event will feature live dance as well as a discussion on Haitian art and its connection to New Orleans culture.

Tunica-Biloxi Language & Culture in the Classroom

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Saturday, January 25, 2020
9:00 am – 12:30 pm
Tunica-Biloxi Language & Culture in the Classroom

This collaborative workshop is designed for middle to high school Social Studies educators to enhance the teaching of the Tunica community while highlighting this group as part of a series of ancient civilizations currently taught at the K-12 level. This workshop is the first one in the series aimed at increasing and extending the current teaching of ancient civilizations in the Americas. The local focus on Louisiana indigenous people and culture will enable educators to create deeper connections when teaching about indigenous identity across the Americas such as the Maya, the Aztec and the Inca.

This workshop will introduce participants with little or no prior knowledge to ancient Tunica history, art, and language, with special focus on the role of food and native foods of this region. Language Instructors Donna Pierite and Elisabeth Pierite Mora of the Tunica-Biloxi Language & Culture Revitalization Program (LCRP) will share the history of the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe beginning in 1541 up to the 1700s when the tribes reached the Avoyelles Prairie. Through story, song and dance they will share the Tunica language and Tunica-Biloxi culture. They will highlight the cultural educational initiatives of LCRP, and provide a list of online resources and samples of pedagogical materials for attendees.

Sponsored by the Middle American Research Institute, S.S. NOLA, and the Stone Center for Latin American Studies.

This Bridge Called our Backs: Judith F. Baca, Muralism, and Community Engagement

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A Lecture by Dr. Anna Indych-Lopez
The City University of New York

Monday, February 3, 2020
6:00 PM

Woldenberg Art Center
Room 210

FLAS Summer Fellowship Application Deadline: February 14th, 2020

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The Stone Center for Latin American Studies receives funding from the U.S. Department of Education’s Title VI program for Foreign Language and Area Studies (FLAS) fellowships. FLAS fellowships administered by the Stone Center are available to undergraduate and graduate students for the intensive study over the summer of Kaqchikel Maya, Portuguese, or another less-commonly taught Latin American language. Graduate students wishing to engage in intensive study of such a language are encouraged to apply for one of these fellowships. Only U.S. citizens or permanent residents are eligible to apply; and only intensive summer language programs that meet the FLAS guidelines will be considered. A listing of some of the approved programs is prepared by CLASP and available on-line. Program information and application packets for Tulane sponsored summer language programs can be found here.

The following FAQs offer further information on the application process and program guidelines for undergraduates and graduates respectively:

Summer FLAS FAQ for Undergraduates
Summer FLAS FAQ for Graduate Students

The Stone Center staff held an on-line information session on Wednesday, January 15, 2020. You can access the video and PowerPoint presentation here: FLAS SUMMER APPLICATION MATERIALS for 2020 All materials are PDF files, forms are in fillable PDF format.

All application materials, including the faculty recommendation form, proposal narrative, and financial need statement or FAFSA EFC, should be submitted electronically by email according to the application guidelines. Please review these guidelines carefully.

For questions regarding the FLAS Fellowship, please contact Dr. Jimmy Huck by email at jhuck@tulane.edu OR Valerie McGinley at vmcgmar@tulane.edu.

Bate Papo! Primavera 2020

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A weekly hour of Portuguese conversation and tasty treats hosted by Prof. Megwen Loveless. All levels are welcome! Meetings take place on Fridays at different hours and locations. See the full schedule below:

January 17th, 11 AM, LBC Pocket Park
Treat: Suco de maracuja

January 24th, 3 PM, Boot
Treat: Suco de caju

January 31st, 4PM, Cafe Carmo (527 Julia St.)
Treat: Suco de caja

February 7th, 11 AM, LBC Pocket Park
Treat: Agua de coco

February 14th, 11 AM, LBC Mezzanine
Treat: Guarana

February 21st, 12PM, PJs Willow
Treat: Cha de maracuja

February 28th, 2PM, Sharp Residence Hall
Treat: Cafe brasiliero

March 6th, 10 AM, LBC Mezzanine
Treat: Cha matte

March 13th, 1 PM, LBC Pocket Park
Treat: Suco de goiaba

March 20th, 3 PM, Greenbaum House
Treat: Limonada a brasiliera

March 27th, 12 PM, LBC Mezzanine
Treat: Batido de abacate

April 3rd, 11 AM, LBC Pocket Park
Treat: Suco de acai

April 17th, 1 PM, LBC Pocket Park
Treat: Caldo de cana

April 24th, 2 PM, Boot
Treat: Groselha