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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CIPR talk series Critical Issues in Democratic Governance to host political economist Dr. Katrina Burgess

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Join the Center for Inter-American Policy and Research and the Stone Center for Latin American Studies in welcoming Dr. Katrina Burgess as part of the fall speaker series Critical Issues in Democratic Governance, on Friday, November 16, in 110A Jones Hall. Dr. Burgess will give a talk titled Courting Migrants: How States Make Diasporas and Diasporas Make States.

The event is free and open to the public. Please RSVP to cipr@tulane.edu.

Katrina Burgess (Ph.D., Princeton University) is Associate Professor of Political Economy of Tufts University’s Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy. She is author of Parties and Unions in the New Global Economy, which won the 2006 Outstanding Book Award for the best publication on labor issues granted by the Section on Labor Studies and Class Relations of the Latin American Studies Association, and co-editor with Abraham F. Lowenthal of The California-Mexico Connection. She has also published numerous book chapters, as well as articles in World Politics, Latin American Politics & Society, Studies in Comparative International Development, South European Politics and Society, Comparative Political Studies, Politica y gobierno, and International Studies Review. Dr. Burgess has also served as Assistant Director of the U.S.-Mexico Project at the Overseas Development Council in Washington, D.C. and Associate Director of the California-Mexico Project at USC in Los Angeles.

Patterns of migrant engagement in politics back home cannot be understood without examining the ways in which homeland states reach out to their migrants. Since states engaged in what can be called diaspora-making are unable to deploy many of the tools of rule within their borders, they are especially reliant on the cultivation of loyalty. The agents, motives, and loyalty-cultivation strategies of diaspora-making have important implications for whether homeland parties mobilize voters abroad, as demonstrated by the contrasts between Mexico and the Dominican Republic.

Celebrate Brazilian culture during the 2018 Brazilian Bash

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The third annual Brazilian Bash will take place on Saturday, November 17, from 3 – 9 PM at Second Line Brewing. The event will include scrumptious food, exhilarating music, kids activities, and more! Homemade Brazilian food will be available for purchase from Dona Nola and Miss Farofa. During the event you will have the chance to purchase tee-shirts and donate money to Favela Brass. Favela Brass provides free brass, percussion, and English lessons for children in a small favela in Rio de Janeiro. All money raised will be invested in instruments for the school.

The event is free and open to the public.

Ja faz um ano e estamos super felizes de anunciar a terceira festa Brazilian Bash. Venha participar de um dia com comidas deliciosas, cervejas locais, musica pra dancar, atividades para as criancas e muito mais. Fique ligado para o menu, bandas e calendario de atividades.

Vamos estar vendendo camisas do Favela Brass e aceitando doacoes para suportar a escola de musica para criancas de baixa renda no Rio de Janeiro.

Este evento e GRATIS e para toda familia.

La Hora del Cuento: Fall Bilingual Story Hour at the Pebbles Center

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This fall, join us for La hora del cuenta bilingual readings series at the Pebbles Centers of the New Orleans Public Libraries!

On the first and last Saturday of every month, we will read a bilingual book at the Algiers Regional Library and the Children’s Resource Center Library beginning on Saturday, August 25 until Saturday, December 29. Children and parents are welcome!

Story Hours Dates and Locations

Algiers Regional Branch
Saturday, September 1
10:30 AM

Saturday, October 6
10:30 AM

Saturday, November 3
10:30 AM

Saturday, December 1
10:30 AM

Children’s Resource Center Library
Saturday, August 25
10:30 AM

Saturday, September 22
10:30 AM

Saturday, October 27
10:30 AM

Saturday, November 24
10:30 AM

Saturday, December 29
10:30 AM

2019 Global Read Webinar Series: Diversity in Children's Literature for the classroom

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This spring, the World Area Book Awards (Américas Award, Africana Book Award, Middle East Book Award, South Asia Book Award, and the Freeman Book Award) will sponsor a free 60 minute webinar on a book recognized by one of the awards and facilitate a discussion with the author on how to incorporate the book into the classroom.

The 2019 Global Read Webinar Series will focus on the theme diversity in children’s literature. The webinar will be recorded and archived online and have accompanying curricula to correspond with the book.

Webinar Schedule

January
Middle East Book Award

February
Africana Book Award

March
Américas Book Award

April
Freeman Book Award

May
South Asia Book Award and picture books from all book awards

Teaching Cuban Culture & Society: A K-12 Summer Educator Institute in Cuba

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The Stone Center for Latin American Studies and the Cuban and Caribbean Studies Institute at Tulane University are proud to announce a two-week summer educator institute exploring the geography, culture and history of Cuba. For an educator, Cuba is rich with lessons to bring into the classroom. This program highlights the important historical and cultural connections between the United States and Cuba. Participants will explore key sites and meet local experts and artists who will provide unique insight for educators who teach such subjects as U.S./Latin American Relations, World Geography, World History, and Spanish among others. Come and visit the site of the historic Bay of Pigs, explore Milton Hershey’s sugar plantation and hear firsthand about the Cuban national literacy campaign from the teachers themselves.

More information coming soon!

Please email crcrts@tulane.edu or call 504.865.5164 for additional details.