Feminist activists speak of LGBTQ equity and empowerment

Yolanda+Arroyo+Pizarro+and+Zulma+Oliveras+Vega+speakers+at+Arts+%26+Lectures+event+Literature+to+Heal+the%0ASoul+in+Uncertain+Times.

Courtesy of CSUSM Arts & Lectures

Yolanda Arroyo Pizarro and Zulma Oliveras Vega speakers at Arts & Lectures event Literature to Heal the Soul in Uncertain Times.

Marielle Alindogan, A&E Writer

Latinas and supporters of the LGBTQ community gathered on Feb. 13 in the USU Ballroom to hear Yolanda Arroyo Pizarro and Zulma Olivera Vega, writers and activists of feminism.

They shared their experiences hoping to achieve equity for race, LGBTQ and women’s rights.

To start the show, Pizarro spoke in Spanish while Vega mimicked her with English translations creating a rhythmic speech. The strength of the smooth piano music in the background increased while Pizarro and Vega began to display small actions of affection like kissing to almost taking each other’s clothes off, shifting the temperature of the room.

Before giving the audience a whole different show, they stopped and began to introduce themselves as supporters of afrofeminism, lesbian resistance and sexual diversity.

Pizarro and Vega write literature and poetry about women’s rights, same-sex marriage, sexual aggression’s and more. They also referenced a few of their books such as, María Calabó de Niña Curiosa A Mujer Líder, Violeta and Transmutadxs.

Each workshop reviewed xenophobia and racism. Whenever they hold work- shops at schools, the couple cover neutral bathroom signs to mask the gender-specific signage’s. Every year they bring themselves,along with supporters, in front of locations that are against same-sex marriage and put their affection towards their significant other on public display to bring heat.

Before reciting poems from a couple of their books, Pizarro and Vega presented a photo of nude ladies playing instruments comfortably with their exposed bodies. Their recited poetry was detailed, erotic and explicit as the poems contained topics of lesbian sex, struggles of coming out and next generations enacting on justice.

At the end of the lecture, there was a Q&A portion where the audience asked Pizarro and Vega about their insight and advice on love and equality. For more Arts & Lectures events, visit https://www.csusm.edu/al/calendar.html for upcoming events and tickets.