Queer Onda El Paso

From the Stonewall Riots of 1969 to the frontlines of the LGBTQIA+ rights struggle of 2026, Pride continues to be one of our communities most visible assemblies. This is an account of the very first Pride protest. For more information visit www.queeronda.com

Our guest in this episode is Sidney A. Alvarez, a television and brand journalist who opens the door to one of life’s hardest truths in his debut book, Your Soulmate Expired, And That’s OK. We talk with him about some of the complicated realities of LGBTQ+ dating, and how happiness doesn’t always begin with finding “the one” — sometimes it begins with finding yourself.  Sidney shares his intimate...

Documenting queer life through photography is an act of visibility, preservation, and resistance. For generations, LGBTQ+ stories have been overlooked or erased. Photography not only affirms our everyday experiences but also captures the milestones that shape our community. Publishing these images helps build a visual history in which future generations can see themselves reflected. By telling the...

In the early years of the HIV epidemic, particularly in the 1980s, an HIV diagnosis was often considered a death sentence. Without effective treatments, it was a terrifying, stigmatized, and rapidly fatal prognosis. Today, it is managed as a chronic, treatable condition. Still, there are many misconceptions about HIV treatment, and many patients still struggle with the perception of the stigma att...

Joining us for an enlightening and sometimes funny talk is holistic healer Juan Francisco Estrada, founder of Massage N Spirit in Central El Paso. Juan’s work blends touch, energy, intuition, and lived spiritual experience to help people reconnect with themselves on a deeper level. And in times like these — when uncertainty, stress, and constant political noise surround us — his perspective feels...

Marriage equality has been one of the major political and social issues facing LGBTQ people in the US but on the other side of the coin is the freedom for gays and lesbians to embrace a life without a partner. Our guest,  Danny Casillas is a drag performer, actor and a retired civil employee for the City of West Hollywood. His blog, ‘ Die alone with me.com ’ embraces the many facets of being a sin...

For more information visit www.queeronda.com

The recent government shut down has shone a bright spotlight on food insecurity. While some families SNAP benefits are being reduced or cut altogether, many organizations and community groups have stepped up to help provide helping hands.    In addition to the myriad of services and events at the Borderland Rainbow Center for the   LGBTQ community the BRC helps alleviate hunger in the El Paso comm...

We commemorate LGBTQ History Month as we talk to Dov. E. Kupfer who has been documenting Queer Life in El Paso for nearly 40 years.   He shares his own journey of coming out, the people and the events he has covered and some personal stories about life behind the camera.  For more information visit www.queeronda.com

In this episode, we talk to Margarita Martinez Almeida who shares her journey from the emotional reaction to her child coming out as trans to lighting the way for other parents as president of PFLAG El Paso. Margarita tells us about the important work PFLAG is doing in our community and how members of our community can help support their efforts.  For more information visit www.queeronda.com

In this episode, we talk to Robert Williams who serves as the chairperson for Southern New Mexico Pride. He shares great insight and information about the many events we can look forward to during their Pride Celebrations beginning September 24 in Las Cruces. For more information visit www.queeronda.com

Wayne Hilton is a designer, artist, and boundless creative. He is widely known as an excellent event planner, host extraordinaire and El Paso’s own style guru. With a background in costume design, his passion for art, interior design, fashion and travel, Wayne creatively managed to bring all of those influences together when he launched his YouTube Channel ‘The Consummate Host’. We talk to him tod...

A positive quality of life for the LGBTQ+ population in a city includes creating a place where individuals feel supported as their whole selves; including their sexuality, gender, race, national origin and faith. It is a city that provides concrete support, not just symbolic support, through actionable laws, policies, and practices to protect LGBTQ+ residents.  Our guest today is Ben Fyfee. Ben is...

In this episode we celebrate all things Pride and share some of the events and changes in our community during Pride Month. Our guest is Christopher Eck, President of El Paso Sun City Pride who talks about what’s new and exciting about this year’s celebrations. He also discusses some of the challenges faced by EPSCP under this political and economic climate. And, just for fun, we offer our picks f...

Religion and spirituality can offer a sense of meaning, purpose, and community.  Many times, our personal beliefs can contribute to mental and physical well-being and help shape our morals and ethics. For LGBTQ people, the role of religion can be a source of both solace and suffering.   While many LGBTQ Americans have been raised in an organized religion — and many continue to cherish their faith...

In the late seventies, gay men in the San Francisco Bay Area who were typically masculine presenting, stocky and hairy met informally at bars and parties. These men began to be known and later self-identify as bears. The men remained in a somewhat secluded group until their status was formalized and celebrated with the founding of Bear Magazine in 1987.           Since then, bear communities and c...

Months before the Texas legislature convened this year, dozens of anti-LGBTQ house bills were introduced by republicans. Many of these house bills will move forward and unfortunately some may become law. At the top of the list are bills that move to erase same-sex education and further disenfranchise transgender citizens of Texas. In this episode we talk to Dina Perez with the El Paso chapter of t...

In this episode we talk to Broadcast Film Critics Association member, Felipa Solis, about the past, present and future of queer representation in film.  Felipa shares some of her favorite queer-themed films and offers insight into the evolution of attitudes about telling our stories. We also discuss three major 2024 Oscar nomination contenders that highlighted queer characters in film. Later in th...

In this episode we recap all our episodes in 2024. Over the past eleven months we have had the opportunity to talk to members of the LGBTQ community, their family and allies. Our topics have ranged from the political to the practical and while some of the conversations have been serious, we managed to find humor and heart in each interview.  Enjoy our year-end recap and look for new episodes of Qu...

Gay men's attitudes about safe sex have changed over time and are influenced by the availability of new treatments and prevention methods.   In the LGBTQ community, different generations have grown up with varying views about gay sexual culture. For example, men who came of age in the 1970s experienced an open sexual culture, while men who came of age in the era of safe sex and ‘mandatory’ co...

October is LGBTQ History Month. It is when we commemorate the milestones of our community to honor the people who have helped to get us to where we are for us to celebrate Pride in June.  There is perhaps no better icon in El Paso to talk to about our community's history than Gilbert Salazar.  Gilbert was a visible member of the gay community when being queer in El Paso was risqué and, in som...

As we approach the gayest holiday of the year, we talk about why Halloween is so ghoulishly celebrated in the LGBTQ community and we also share info on a couple of wicked events coming our way this month. For more information visit www.queeronda.com

 While queer rights have leapt forward over the past decade, we are currently once again facing multiple threats to our very existence. Our fight for equality remains an ongoing struggle. Some politicians have targeted LGBTQ rights. Republicans often use fear tactics to vilify trans and queer people to motivate their voters. We must counteract these measures by voting and encouraging our friends a...

Unlike many other migrants, queer migrants often lack eligible family members to sponsor them on the other side leading to heightened risks of detention and increased rates of violence within detention facilities. In  this episode we talk to Jennifer Babaie who is the Director of Advocacy and Legal Services at Las Americas Immigrant Advocacy Center here in El Paso. She is joined by Gabriela Lopez...

For more information visit www.queeronda.com