Early Bird

Celebrate Latinx Heritage Month with MSU Denver

Beginning Tuesday, check out programs and events that highlight historical and contemporary contributions of the Latinx community.

By Thanh Nguyen

September 14, 2020

Tuesday marks the anniversary of independence for several Latin American countries. It’s also the beginning of Latinx Heritage Month, and Roadrunners are invited to celebrate.

What is Latinx Heritage Month?

Federally designated as Hispanic Heritage Month in 1988, Latinx Heritage Month is observed from Sept. 15-Oct. 15 by honoring the rich historical and cultural legacies of people whose ancestors came from the Caribbean, Central and South America, Spain and Mexico.

During Latinx Heritage Month, Metropolitan State University of Denver’s Center for Multicultural Engagement and Inclusion and its partners in the Department of Chicana/o Studies, the Gender Institute for Teaching and Advocacy, the LGBTQ Student Resource Center and the Office of Diversity and Inclusion will facilitate programs and events that highlight historical and contemporary contributions of the Latinx community to the fabric of our campus and society. 

Why use the term “Latinx”?

The term “Latinx” relates to people of Latin American origin or descent and is used as a gender-neutral or nonbinary alternative to Latina/o. That said, terms such as “Hispanic” and “Latinx” are based in language that privileges nonindigenous and non-Black identities and centers Eurocentric views of history. In the spirit of inclusivity of all identities, here is another perspective.

Upcoming events

Machismo and Masculinity in Latinx Communities with Roberto Montoya 

Tuesday

11:15 a.m.

Roadrunners are invited to attend a virtual discussion on machismo and masculinity with guest speaker Roberto Montoya. The event is part of the University of Colorado Denver’s Barbershop Conversations, a space created for men-identified students of color to provide support for social, cultural and identity development and educational/career goals. Register to receive the Zoom link via email. The event is sponsored by all three Auraria Campus institutions and the LGBTQ Student Resource Center.

Beauty in Unity: A Conversation on Identity, Communities and Building Bridges 

Thursday

1-2 p.m.

Join in a virtual live Q&A session with Olmeca on the topics of identity, community and building bridges. This is an opportunity for the Auraria Campus to engage and ask questions regarding Latinx Heritage Month. Register to receive the Zoom link via email.

For more tri-institutional and MSU Denver Latinx Heritage Month events, visit the CMEI website.