To celebrate Hispanic and Latine Heritage Month we spoke with employees from Google's FLINTA and Latine ERGs about Queerness, identity in diaspora and the future of conversations around Latine identity.
This year we've been working with Google on a number of events targeting their large Latin American employee population living in EMEA (Europe, Middle East & Africa), where there continues to be a lack of visibility for Latin immigrants. In partnership with Google's FLINTA (Female, Lesbian, Intersex, Trans and Agender) ERG, we've covered topics like Diversity in Latinidad, LGBTQ+ migration, mental health stigma and family dynamics - all through the lens of Latin experience.
We asked some of the Queer Latine employees who took part in this event series to sit down and share their own thoughts on how heritage, Queerness and living in diaspora interact.
How does your cultural identity as a Latina/x/e person intersect with your Queerness?
Mercedes Jenkins: "For me, it's a reminder of how multi-faceted our communities are - how diverse in the truest sense of that word our communities are as well. I hear Audre Lorde saying in my head, “There is no such thing as a single-issue struggle because we do not live single-issue lives," and that feels so true across what makes up Latinidad and the queer community. It also is a reminder for me to actively consider and address who is missing in our communities, who isn't heard, or seen and how to do a better job of centering those on the periphery."
Lucia Molinari: "My cultural identity as a Latina and my Queerness are deeply intertwined, shaping my experiences as an expat and a mother in Dublin. Raising my son, born in Mexico and now happily growing up in Europe, within a same-sex family has strengthened my connection to both my Latina heritage and my Queer identity. Building community with fellow Latina/x/e and Queer individuals has been crucial in navigating the unique challenges and joys of being an expat, providing a space to celebrate traditions, share experiences, and find strength in our shared identities. My journey involves embracing the complexities of these intersections, advocating for those with less privilege, and creating a fulfilling life for my family that honors both my cultural roots and my Queerness."
Ivy Martinez: "Gloria Anzaldúa and Cherríe Moraga are two of the writers I was reading a lot of in the period of my life when I was coming out. I came out to a family where I didn't see a lot of queerness so those writers became really critical ancestors for me. I feel very fortunate that this was the case because coming out can be a really lonely process and it can feel especially lonely when you don't see representation. Having shaped my queerness with their voices in my head, the intersection between my Latinx and queer identities has always been clearly drawn. "This Bridge Called My Back" (edited by Moraga and Anzaldúa) particularly influenced the way I sought and built community with other queer women of colour whose friendship has been foundational to the ways I see myself and understand the world."
As a Latina/x/e person living in the diaspora, what have you enjoyed most from Google’s events with We Create Space?
Mercedes Jenkins: "The opportunity to reiterate that being Latina/o/e/x doesn't look, act, speak, experience life in one particular way. There is no one way, right way to be in this community and there's a great opportunity inside our community to continue to reiterate that idea and then take action on that idea through learning, inclusion, understanding our own internal histories, inequities and path towards being a community that can act in solidarity across the diaspora, across the myriad identities we hold."
Lucia Molinari: "Google's events with We Create Space have provided a much-needed sense of belonging and connection. I've especially enjoyed the opportunity to engage with a community of fellow Latina/x/e individuals who share similar experiences and understand the unique challenges and joys of navigating our identities in a foreign context. Hearing the panelists' stories has been truly inspiring, and I've learned so much about the richness and diversity of our community. These events have also allowed me to embark on a journey of self-discovery, uncovering new facets of my identity and feeling empowered to embrace my heritage."
In the US (where this month was originally introduced), the Latinx/Hispanic Heritage Month theme is “Pioneers of Change: Shaping the Future Together.” What change would you like to see in conversations surrounding Latina/x/e identity and community?
Mercedes Jenkins: "I would love to see more visibility around indigeneity: language, cultural, connection and learning how others across our community are pulling those threads through, revitalising what once might have been lost.
I would also like to see conversations around solidarity and cross-racial and cross-ethnic lines. I'll speak from my experience sitting in DEI roles where sometimes the convo can be "what about us", "we focus on x group but not y group" and not to invalidate that feeling and reality for folks who feel that strongly (it's real and I honour that) but also to move from that deficit narrative to a narrative around the interconnectedness of our community to other marginalised communities - how the work we do to support all marginalised communities, across all lines of difference - support everyone.”
Lucia Molinari: “I envision a future where conversations about Latina/x/e identity embrace our rich diversity, amplify marginalised voices, and actively challenge the existing power dynamics and systems that perpetuate inequality within our community. We must keep celebrating intersectionality, ensure greater representation in leadership, and foster open dialogue about colorism and internalised racism. Recognizing that we all have a role to play in dismantling these systems, let's actively work towards a more inclusive, empowering, and equitable future for all within our community.”
How does your work at Google contribute to shaping the future?
Mercedes Jenkins: “I am really fortunate my personal purpose and goals align with my professional purpose and current role. My job is to help amplify the voices of those who aren't seen, heard or are often overlooked and marginalised. When I think about Google's scope and reach and I think about the global majority across our world - they are Black, they brown and in my role I get to do work that lifts those communities up, provides pathways totech, AI, tools that can better people's lives. As the global majority continue to grow - I hope the work I do helps to shape a more equitable and sustainable future.”
Mercedes Jenkins (she/her)
Global Strategist, People Operations - Google
Mercedes is a Afro-Honduran queer, neurodivergent woman. She works to make Google a place that works for everybody by applying systems-thinking design and consultation. In her other lives she’s worked as a strategist at small tech start-ups, in the ed-tech sector, a director at a learning center centering education for autistic children and adults and was a former educator in the public and private sector. Find her procrastinating on her MSc dissertation and instead walking her two dogs Quetzalli and Xochitl, reading books, hiking across the UK or watching really bad-good horror and/or sci-fi movies.
Lucia Molinari (she/her)
Head of Mid Market Sales (Multichannel), Customer Solutions - Google
Lucía, a Latina queer mom, is a sales leader and music enthusiast. She has lived in Buenos Aires, Mexico City and Dublin and currently helps SMBs in Spain and Portugal grow through Google products. A passionate advocate for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Lucía actively contributes to the LGBTQ+ and Latina/x/e communities, championing representation and progression in every country she worked in. Beyond the corporate realm, she cherishes precious moments with her son & wife, finding joy in exploring his boundless imagination and the wonders of childhood.
Ivy Martinez (she/her)
Head of Workforce Diversity - Google EMEA
Ivy is a seasoned DEI practitioner with over 10 years of experience in the field. She began her career in DEI at Teach for America as a DEI researcher. In 2015, she joined Google, where she is currently the Head of Workforce Diversity for EMEA. In her role, she is focused on enabling leadership accountability for DEI, enacting systems change for deep impact, focusing on differentiation across the region, and supporting her team to be sustainable DEI practitioners. At home, she likes to have dance parties with her wife and young son.
While you're here...
Did you know we consult with Businesses, ERGs and Change-Leaders providing bespoke corporate solutions? Through consultancy we design shared learning experiences, produce DEI insights and craft bespoke content that support individuals with strengthening their roles as change-agents within their communities and organisations. Find out more here.
We also organise FREE community events throughout the year! We offer a variety of ways to get involved - both online and in person. This is a great way to network and learn more about others' experiences, through in-depth discussion on an array of topics. You can find out what events we have coming up here. New ones are added all the time, so make sure you sign up to our newsletter so you can stay up to date!
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