Black Girl Dangerous’ Crush of the Month is a feature where we choose one bold, brilliant, badass QTPoC who has inspired us with the amazing things they’ve been up to in their work and life. We interview said crush-worthy individual so that you, faithful BGD readers, can share in our swooning!
This month’s crush is activist Jennicet Gutiérrez!
The deets on Jennicet:
She’s a transgender Latina activist and organizer from Tuxpan, Jalisco, México. She currently resides in Los Angeles and she is an organizer with Familia: Trans Queer Liberation Movement. Jennicet believes in the importance of uplifting and centering the voices of trans women of color in all racial justice work. Jennicet organizes in order to end the deportation, incarceration and criminalization of immigrants and all people of color.
Crush-city, amirite? I’m fanning myself as we speak!
You may also remember Jennicet as the so-called White House “heckler” who, this past June, called out President Obama on the treatment of transgender immigrants in detention. That action catapulted Jennicet into the activist spotlight.
Check out Jennicet’s answers to my crush-related questions below!
Mia: Have you ever had your heart broken? If so, what’s the most important lesson you learned from it?
Jennicet: Yes, I have. The most important lesson I learned is that although the pain is unbearable, it is short term and life must go on. During this difficult emotional time, I seeked support from my sister. She made it possible for me to heal. She spent hours on the phone with me the first time I felt the pain of the heartbreak. She made sure I stayed calm and listened to everything I had to say. She would texted me regularly for the next two weeks after the breakup to make sure I was doing okay.
Mia: What do you find most sexy about yourself?
Jennicet: I found my eyes to be the most sexy about myself. For years, I wouldn’t dared to look at myself directly in the eyes. Now I get in front of the mirror, and see through my eyes my inner beauty. I wouldn’t look at myself in the mirror before I transitioned because I was insecure about who I was. After transitioning, I felt more secure and complete and now truly appreciate who I am. Further, I hated taking pictures of myself. Now, I feel like a selfie queen. It is in my selfies that I can see and accept my true essence.
Mia: What has your work with Familia Trans Queer Liberation Movement taught you about love that you didn’t know before?
Jennicet: The work with Familia: TQLM has taught about love that there is a community which embraces my true authentic essence. And the work with Familia made it possible for me to fall in love and dedicate my work to my beloved undocumented trans and queer community.
Mia: How did you first become socially/politically conscious? Do you remember a moment?
Jennicet: There were various events in my life experience that made it possible for me to become socially/politically conscious. For instance, one moment that stands out was when a Chicano professor asked a Mex-American history class how anti-immigrant laws were affecting our communities and loved ones. That was a turning point for me to get active and involved in activism.
Mia: Are you crushing on anyone right now? Do they know?
Jennicet: Yes, my partner. Yes, he does. The crush doesn’t go away, and it intensifies with each passing day. I felt like a teenager when I first announced to my partner that I had a crushed on him over six months ago. I posted a selfie and wrote a comment about me having a crush. I sent him an IM message and told him that that comment was for him. I felt butterflies in my stomach then and still feel them now every day. Since I have been traveling a lot lately and we are in a long distance relationship, every time I think of him, my heart is filled with joy.
Mia: Are crushes (and romance and sex) important for revolution? Why?
Jennicet: Yes, crushes, romance and sex are important and should be part of the revolution because it is another way to resist and challenge the unfair expectations society has on human behavior. The expectations society has is that we should be committed to one person only for the rest of our lives. I believe that people have the capacity to have a crush, romance and sex with multiple people as long as people are in mutual agreement.
Mia: Make Out With, Date, or Banish from QTPoC Island: (A Twist on Fuck, Marry, Kill): Kingston Farady, Michelle Rodriguez, Wilson Cruz.
Jennicet: Make out with Wilson Cruz. Date with Kingston Farady. Banish Michelle Rodriguez.
Mia: What inspires you most as an activist? What drives you? And what’s next?
Jennicet: The unconditional love and support from people who understand the source of oppression inspire my activism daily. My hunger for social justice and love drive me to stay focused on my work and the mission I was born to accomplish. I will continue to amplify the voices of my beloved undocumented trans community and to connect with other communities fighting and resisting oppression.
Mia McKenzie is an award-winning writer, a speaker, and the creator of Black Girl Dangerous. Bring her to speak at your college or community event.
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