Brainstorm Week 7 - Sarah Yang

Many people struggle with sexuality, but for undocumented individuals, it can be much harder of a battle when culture and religion are involved. Seif Hinda writes how within the [Latino] LGBTQ community, it’s a relatively a new thing to embrace it” (304). As defined by “Undocuqueer Movement”, “UndocuQueers struggle for the right to work, live, and love in the country in which they were raised and educated”. Undocumented queer individuals have had to face hardships from the government as well, as “...the nation-state continues to regulate sexual identity and exclude queer folks from full integration” (Out of the Shadows, into the Streets!, 135). However, social media is a great network for people to connect with others and have a community of support. Undocumented 11 year old Julio Salgado said social media has been “a blessing for communities like ours where we might not be able to travel, but a lot of us met through these networks” (307). This is a link back to last week’s readings and the power that staying connected has, in that it can start movements and organizations. Social media helps immigrants fight against social death because online, everyone is allowed to say what they want and be heard. The practice of spreading information and supporting others is a practice of resilience and is powerful in strengthening communities.