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LA poet Vicky Vertiz shares her journey from Bell Gardens to literary acclaim, exploring how her queer Latinx identity has shaped award-winning poetry collections that center working-class immigrant experiences without translation or apology.

Step into the vibrant world of queer Latine poetry with acclaimed Los Angeles writer Vicky Vertiz as she shares her remarkable journey from the working-class neighborhoods of Bell Gardens to literary recognition. Growing up along the LA River to Mexican immigrant parents, Vertiz crafts award-winning poetry that refuses to translate or apologize for its bilingual, bicultural essence.

"There is no place you can go in Los Angeles without us," Vertiz asserts, speaking of immigrant communities that form the backbone of her writing. Her first collection, "Palm Frond with its Throat Cut," won the 2018 Pan America Award by centering working-class queer experiences in unapologetic Spanglish. Her newest work, "Auto Body," which earned the 2023 Sandeen Poetry Prize, explores repair across feelings, time, harm, and literal cars—a powerful metaphor for resilience in challenging times.

What makes Vertiz's story particularly compelling is her unconventional path to becoming a writer. Libraries were her sanctuary from childhood, but she never imagined herself an artist until witnessing other writers from her neighborhood succeed. "I had to see other people exactly like me from my neighborhood be artists in order for me to know that I could do it too," she reveals, after decades working in organizing, education, and public policy.

As both poet and educator at UC Santa Barbara, Vertiz approaches teaching with radical honesty about the political pressures affecting marginalized communities. She creates space for students to express fears while connecting them with resources and alternative perspectives. Her current memoir project serves as "time travel to repair the gaps I didn't have" growing up queer in Los Angeles.

For aspiring writers, Vertiz offers golden advice: read widely, especially works from outside the United States; document your stories without worrying initially about genre; and most importantly—share your work. "Writing only thrives and is nourished when you talk about it with your fellow writers," she emphasizes, highlighting how community sustains creativity.

• Born and raised in Bell Gardens to Mexican immigrant parents, Vertiz's second book "Auto Body" won the 2023 Sandeen Poetry Prize
• First poetry collection "Palm Frond with its Throat Cut" won the 2018 Pan America Award, described as a love letter to Los Angeles
• Found her path to writing through libraries and reading, seeing other writers from her neighborhood succeed
• Poetry centers working-class, queer life using both Spanish and English without translating
• Uses writing and teaching to counter white supremacy, homophobia, and transphobia
• Emphasizes the importance of reading widely, documenting your stories, and building community
• Currently working on a memoir in poetry about being queer and coming of age in Los Angeles
• Writing communities like Macondo, Canto Mundo, and her San Gabriel Valley Food Club sustain her creative practice

You can find Vicky Vertiz at vickyvertiz.com or on Instagram @vickyvertiz.

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Welcome to the RADIO QGLLU podcast, the show that TAKES A DEEP DIVE INTO WHAT THE QUEER, GAY, AND LESBIAN LATINE COMMUNITY IS TALKING ABOUT. Radio GLLU began in 1986, and now in its continued iteration, features dynamic stories from California and beyond.
https://www.glluarchive.com/multimedia/radio-qgllu-podcast

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"I was constantly made to feel broken, and I almost believed it. Then I realized – no, it's actually called genius, it's called intuition, it's called all these beautiful things that come with being an indigenous person, with being a woman."

Josefina Lopez, the groundbreaking playwright behind "Real Women Have Curves," takes us on an exhilarating journey from her beginnings as an undocumented teenager in East Los Angeles to becoming one of America's most important Latina voices in theater and film. With disarming honesty and contagious passion, Lopez reveals how a high school screening of Luis Valdez's work awakened her to theater's revolutionary potential to tell authentic immigrant stories.

The creative spark that ignited "Real Women Have Curves" came from Lopez's time working in her sister's tiny garment factory near the housing projects of Boyle Heights. Rather than experiencing exploitation and despair, she discovered a vibrant sisterhood of women who shared stories, laughter, and wisdom that profoundly shaped her feminist consciousness. This joyful solidarity amid challenging circumstances became the heartbeat of her acclaimed play, which celebrates women's bodies and immigrant dignity against a backdrop of societal devaluation.

Lopez doesn't shy away from discussing the sexism and gatekeeping she encountered in the entertainment industry, including from fellow Latinos in positions of power. Her response was characteristic – instead of accepting rejection, she founded Casa 0101 Theater to create space for stories about women, immigrants, and LGBTQ+ Latinos that mainstream theaters wouldn't touch. Through initiatives like the "Brown and Out" series and mentorship programs for emerging playwrights and directors, Casa 0101 has become a vital cultural force in Los Angeles.

Follow Josefina's current journey bringing "Real Women Have Curves" to Broadway at josefinalopezbiz or support Casa 0101's community-centered work at casa0101.org. As Lopez reminds us with her new mantra: "Don't go to hate – create, elevate, and celebrate."

Be sure to check out her work at JosefinaLopez.biz and support the incredible theater and storytelling happening at Casa 0101. If you enjoyed this conversation, don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and follow us for more stories that celebrate LGBTQ+ and Latine voices. You can also explore more episodes and exclusive content at QGLLU.buzzsprout.com. Until next time, keep creating, keep telling your stories, and keep pushing for change!

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🎙️ Radio QGLLU – Preserving Our History, One Story at a Time.

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Thanks for tuning in to this episode of Radio QGLLU. We’re proud to honor and elevate the legacy of GLLU and the individuals who continue to shape our history.

To hear more stories and explore the full archive, visit our Buzzsprout page, check out the GLLU Archive at glluarchive.c

Support the show

Welcome to the RADIO QGLLU podcast, the show that TAKES A DEEP DIVE INTO WHAT THE QUEER, GAY, AND LESBIAN LATINE COMMUNITY IS TALKING ABOUT. Radio GLLU began in 1986, and now in its continued iteration, features dynamic stories from California and beyond.
https://www.glluarchive.com/multimedia/radio-qgllu-podcast

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A current exploration of housing rights and activism led by Elias Naranjo highlights urgent issues in community organizing. We discuss the complexities of gentrification, the struggles within the LGBTQIA community, and the importance of prioritizing self-care amidst activism.

• Introduction to Radio Q GLLU and Elias Naranjo
• Discussing the challenges of affordable housing in LA
• The impact of gentrification on marginalized communities
• Coalition-building in the fight for housing rights
• The importance of self-care for activists
• Closing thoughts on collective responsibility and future actions

Are housing injustices widening the gap between communities? In this gripping episode, we sit down with Elias Naranjo, a dedicated community organizer making waves in the fight against housing inequity in Los Angeles. He shares his personal story as a first-generation Latine, illuminating the challenges that many face in today's housing climate. From navigating gentrification in neighborhoods like Boyle Heights to advocating for vulnerable populations, Elias discusses how intersecting identities shape the struggle for stable housing.

As conversations about gentrification heat up, Elias helps us unpack critical issues, highlighting the urgency for rent control and tenant protections. You'll hear how collective actions via coalitions are making a difference, along with the grassroots movements challenging systemic barriers in the housing landscape. These topics resonate far beyond LA, echoing the realities in urban centers nationwide.

We also explore self-care and community resilience, emphasizing the joy found in activism and the necessity for mental well-being when fighting for others’ rights. Elias’s insights as a passionate advocate shine through, inspiring listeners to reflect on their roles in their communities and encouraging proactive participation in the pursuit of justice.

Join us for this enlightening discourse that not only seeks to raise awareness but also ignites meaningful conversations about the future of housing as a human right.

***Share your thoughts on how we can galvanize change in our communities. Engage with us on social media and leave a review!***

Support the show

Welcome to the RADIO QGLLU podcast, the show that TAKES A DEEP DIVE INTO WHAT THE QUEER, GAY, AND LESBIAN LATINE COMMUNITY IS TALKING ABOUT. Radio GLLU began in 1986, and now in its continued iteration, features dynamic stories from California and beyond.
https://www.glluarchive.com/multimedia/radio-qgllu-podcast