Latinx Heritage Month is celebrated September 15 to October 15 and honors the histories, cultures, and contributions of Latinx communities in the United States.
Planned Parenthood is proud to celebrate Latinx Heritage Month and recommit ourselves to supporting Latinx patients, staff, volunteers, and supporters as we work to improve sexual and reproductive health among Latinx communities.
This year, our Latinx Employee Resource Group at Planned Parenthood of the Pacific Southwest shined a spotlight on many elements of Latinx Heritage. Below members of this group share stories and elements of their culture they are celebrating.
Food and Family
“To make ends meet, my dad worked two full-time jobs and my mom worked an overnight shift so she could ‘stay home’ with us. During these times, I often helped with making meals. One of those meals is what I argue is a Latino classic, ‘huevos con weenie,’ which is scrambled eggs with hot dogs. To this day, huevos con weenie is a comfort meal for me and a lifesaver when I’m hungry but don’t have the energy to cook a full meal. Eating this simple meal reminds me of trips to Walmart to pick up eggs and turkey hot dogs with my mom, eating breakfast with my siblings before school, and childhood in general. It’s a popular dish with kids and I started making it for my daughter once she had enough teeth to chew! I make it for her when I have early morning meetings and am limited on time, and just like me, she sits down and eats it with a corn tortilla.” – Daisy, staff member of Planned Parenthood of the Pacific Southwest
Art at The Cheech Marin Center for Chicano Art & Culture of the Riverside Art Museum
The Employee Resource Group hosted a get-together at the new museum.
“The museum has an area dedicated to highlighting the work of local Chicano artists. There was a piece there called ‘Dreamers’ by local artist Rosy Cortez of a mother in the bus with her sleeping toddler on her lap and her daughter leaning on her. The piece really resonated with me – my parents immigrated from Mexico and they worked tirelessly to provide a better future for the four of us. They were often exhausted but they were driven by their mission to move their family forward. I bought a signed print of this piece and have it at home now.” – Jacque, staff member of Planned Parenthood of the Pacific Southwest
Music, of course!
Staff member, Metzly, enjoys many forms of music and highlighted one of her favorites. “Mariposa Traicionera by Mana or Tengo La Camisa Negra by Juanes, it’s all I grew up listening to along with so many wonderful artists.”
Books centering Latinx LGBTQ+ themes
Here are some recommendations from one of our staff members:
Black Sun by Rebecca Roanhorse, Dreaming of You by Melissa Lozada-Oliva, Wild Tongues Can’t Be Tamed edited by Saraciea J Fennell, Las Biuty Queens by Iván Monalisa Ojeda, Witches by Brenda Lozano, Call Me Cassandra by Marcial Gala, The House of Impossible Beauties by Joseph Cassara, Ordinary Girls by Jaquira Díaz, Behind the Mask by Alfredo Mirandé, Mean by Miriam Gurba, Born Both: An Intersex Life by Hida Viloria, Empanada: a Lesbiana Story en Probaditas by Anel I. Flores, Hola Papi by John Paul Brammer
Members of the Latinx Employee Resource Group will also play lotería.
“I grew up playing this game with my family during holidays and get-togethers. I loved it because unlike some of the card games, which were a bit more complicated and only the adults played, lotería was easy and could be played by anyone. Everyone had a preferred board – mine was the one with La Rosa at the top left corner. It was my lucky board and I swore I won more when I used it. We’d grab a handful of beans to mark our boards and the moderator would begin calling cards. If there were a lot of players, you had to make sure to be quick to yell ‘LOTERIA’ because two boards could win at once so the first to shout out would win the game. On very special occasions a parent would buy a bag of Canel’s gum for us to use as markers. We LOVED this because after we played we’d get to keep the gum!” – Jacque, staff member
As we reflect on the many contributions of Latinx people, we pay tribute to the generations of Latinx leaders whose shoulders we stand on. This month, we reaffirm our commitment to expand efforts to improve sexual and reproductive health for all, provide comprehensive sex education, and continue to combat efforts to roll back our rights.
We’re inspired by all the leadership, innovative work, and commitment by the Latinx community to create a world where access to health care doesn’t depend on who you are or where you live.
Learn more about sexual and reproductive health care in Latinx communities in this Planned Parenthood blog post.
Tags: