The LGBTQ+ Center’s a one-hour round table discussion Thursday, in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, aimed to provide a safe space for dialogue and reflection, highlighting the intersectionality of these identities and focusing on the challenges faced by Latinos and Hispanics who also identify with the LGBTQ+ community.

The Center’s director, Ken Ditlevson, and assistant director, Meghan Schwind, assigned the planning and execution of this year’s event to Noah Hite and Max Reed, who are both interns at the center. 

In preparation for the event, when planning the questions and topics for the RTD, the interns said they counted on the support from the Student Multicultural Center to ensure the accuracy and inclusivity of the discussion.

“Neither of us (Hite and Reed) have Hispanic origin,” Reed said, “so we wanted to make sure all information [provided in the planning and execution] was correct.”

They guided the event with a slide presentation projection. It started with participants introducing themselves, followed by an icebreaker activity helping attendees connect and feel comfortable.

Each participant then received a card featuring a prominent Hispanic/Latino member of the LGBTQ+ community. They had to introduce their assigned figure to the group. Among the notable individuals featured was Mary Yu, the first openly-gay, Asian American and Latina jurist to serve as an associate justice of the Washington Supreme Court.

“It’s important to draw intentionality around,” Ditlevson said, “making sure we are not missing out on important figures.”

Reed and Hite presented guiding questions to stimulate discussions in the second part of the discussion. Participants were encouraged to reflect on question like, “What does this month mean to you?” and “What are the overlaps in nationality and gender identity struggles?” 

The LGBTQ+ Center’s discussion served as an opportunity to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month while also promoting dialogue and understanding among individuals with diverse backgrounds and identities.

Other similar events promoted by the center, such as a “Flashes of Pride Poster Unveiling Party” Oct. 11 and “Coming OUT Roundtable” Oct. 12 can be found with all details in the ‘Gay Agenda.’

Sofia Giotti-Teixeira is a reporter. Contact her at [email protected].