Encuentro 2024 Conductores
Conductores are the planning body for the Encuentro. They play a vital role in ensuring that our convening is as inclusive, intersectional and reflective as possible, while highlighting our region’s creativity and power! Learn more about our amazing team of conductores below.
Noé Monárrez (they/he) - Born in Maryville, TN and raised in Knoxville, Noé (they/he) is a first-generation, queer Mexican American from an immigrant family. Noé graduated from the University of Tennessee-Knoxville with a double Bachelors in Child & Family Studies-Community Outreach, and Sociology-Critical and Ethnic Studies. At UTK, Noé organized educational programming with Sexual Empowerment and Awareness at Tennessee (SEAT) and worked with Centro Hispano de East TN’s Youth & Family Department. Since graduating in 2021, Noé has served as the East TN Community Health Educator and Condom Distribution Coordinator at Planned Parenthood of Tennessee and North Mississippi. In this role, Noé has prioritized outreach in Spanish-speaking communities, integrated services with mutual aid networks, strengthened local partnerships, and boosted youth advocacy and education efforts.
Yosmar Rumbos (he/him)- Yosmar Rumbos es un inmigrante venezolano y defensor de la justicia social en la Florida Central. se graduó con una licenciatura en Comercio y Servicios Administrativos y luego se graduó en relaciones industriales en la Universidad de Carabobo. Tuvo que reiniciar su vida una vez que se mudó a los EE. UU. hace 9 años. Su pasión por ayudar a los demás lo llevó al campo médico, donde actualmente se desempeña como asistente médico y phlebotomista Lider en Pineapple Healthcare. También se dedica a retribuir a la comunidad como fundador y director de Abrigando Corazones INC. Una iniciativa que recolecta ropa zapatos juguetes nuevos o usados en buen estado y artículos de higiene personal y los distribuye a inmigrantes recién llegados y comunidades necesitadas, al mismo tiempo que los conecta con servicios de prevención y/o tratamiento del VIH ; atención médica primaria entre otros servicios a través de Pineapple Healthcare y lucha dia a día a erradicar el estigma del VIH en la comunidad.
Alexander Bautista (he/him)- Alexander Bautista, M.A. (he/him/él), graduated from the University of Alabama at Birmingham with a Bachelor of Arts in foreign languages and literature, specializing in Spanish, and a Master of Arts in Latin American literature, with a concentration in Mexican queer studies. Currently, he is pursuing his doctorate in Higher Education Administration at the University of Southern Mississippi. In addition to his academic pursuits, Alexander holds significant roles that contribute to his field. He serves as the Communications Specialist for the Birmingham City Schools Board District, where he oversees communications for Spanish-speaking families and supports all schools in creating a more inclusive environment. He also serves as the Director of LGBTQ+ Latinx at AIDS Alabama, where he is dedicated to creating a safe space and empowering LGBTQ+ Latinx members in Alabama.
Sofia Sepulveda (she/her)- Sofia is the Field Director at Equality Texas, a first generation Mexican American Trans-Woman, She has been organizing in San Antonio for the past 11 years on Healthcare and Environmental Justice, she is the lead organizer for the Healthcare for All march in San Antonio, co-founder of Trans Power San Antonio, as well as organized the Women's March in San Antonio for the last 4 years. She was recognized as one of the 25 influential women who run San Antonio in 2019 for her work in healthcare. In 2021 alongside amazing activists and organizers in Texas she helped to pass legislation that extended Medicaid for new mothers from 2 to 6 months. She also sits in the board of Healthcare-Now, Transgender Education Network of Texas, ACT4SA, and Community Advisory Board for Centro Med in San Antonio.
Arely Westley (she/her)- 2024 ROBERT F. KENNEDY international human righs award winning Arely Westley is a trans latinxs woman originally from San Pedro Sula Honduras a social change consultan,community organizer and national human righs activist she is the vice to ice campaing director for BreakOUT! Since 2016 Dedicated full to the Vice to ICE campaign and growing the organization's Latinx LGBTQ youth base in new orleans was accepted into the Rise Up Youth Champions Initiative and the Packard Foundation in 2017,she is board member of directors for the Southeast Immigrant Rights Network (SEIRN),Asheboro latinxs services, allianza trans latinxs as well as a community advisory board for the Tulane Total Health Clinic/clinic., arely is also part of south east Dignity not detention coalition, and part of that freedom figters cohort with detention watch network,she is advocated and organizing abouth sexual reproductive rights and HIV prevention with multiples groups on local and nationwide, she is being part of the peer2peer exchange donors group in 2018 and connected with many national groups mind as a MIGRANT AND LGBTQ+ rights activist And joining the HOME IS HERE team as a consultant on jun 2022 as Project Resource Coordinator and that detention visitation proyect coordinator she was also honored and awared as 2023 deep south LGBTQ freedom fighter by immigrant alliance for justice and equity of Mississippi, Arely is dedicated to the liberation movement in all aspects of her life.
Humberto Orozco (he/him)- Humberto (he/him) is pursuing a Master’s degree at the Rollins School of Public Health at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia. He has been involved in the HIV field for over eight years. Over the last five years, he has been actively involved in efforts to decriminalize HIV in Georgia while being recognized as an HIV and sexual health advocate. He is passionate about dismantling stigma and empowering people living with HIV to own their narratives and advocating for pleasure-centered sexual health education. Humberto has been recognized by community – The Visibility Club awarded him the Latinx Visibility Award (2021) and Poz Magazine included him on the POZ 100 List (2022). When he is not in the classroom or in community, Humberto enjoys hiking, cycling, and marking off his ever-growing list of Atlanta’s best foodie spots.
Adonis Gutierrez (he/him)- Adonis Gutierrez(He/Him/His) is a dedicated community activist and co-founder of "Under the Umbrella RGV," a South Texas organization supporting transgender individuals. He also serves on the boards of the "Queer Trans Project" in Jacksonville, Florida, and "Casa Kimberly," a transitional house for TGNCI individuals in the Rio Grande Valley. Over the past five years, Adonis has been a tireless advocate for reproductive rights, sexual health, and voter rights. As a first-generation Latino transgender man, he is deeply committed to serving the underserved and oppressed, believing strongly in the power of community unity.
Daron Yanes (he/him)- Daron Yanes is a proud Latinx transgender man originally from Placetas, Cuba. With a deep passion for advocacy and community building, he founded and currently serves as the CEO of Trans Men Empowerment, an organization dedicated to uplifting and empowering transgender men. Based in Houston, TX, Daron has been a tireless activist and organizer for over 3 years, working not only to advance the rights and visibility of the trans community but also to champion immigrant rights. He served as the Program Coordinator for "Organización Latina Trans in Texas," where he worked addressing the unique challenges faced by Latinx trans men. Additionally, Daron took on the role of Director for "Chicos Trans Masculinos Houston," a group focused on fostering support and visibility for transmasculine individuals in the Houston area. His work is characterized by a commitment to intersectional advocacy, ensuring that the voices of marginalized communities are heard and respected.
Christopher J. Cuevas (they/them)- Christopher J. Cuevas is a dedicated peace practitioner, educator, and community organizer who is deeply committed to cultural transformation through the power of radical love. Their personal experience as a child of immigrants and a transgender person of color informs their advocacy for racial, gender, and economic justice. They have been recognized for their unwavering commitment to social equity and LGBTQ+ equality. They have received honors from organizations including Equality Florida, the Public Broadcasting Station, and the Contigo Fund.
Following the tragic events at the Pulse Nightclub in 2016, Cuevas co-founded QLatinx, a movement addressing LGBTQ+ Latinx issues. They have led efforts to address health disparities and support communities living with HIV. They have played influential roles in various initiatives and organizations, such as the Peace and Justice Institute, Trans Justice Funding Project, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and Laughing Gull Foundation. As the Principal and Founder of Colibri Consulting Group, Cuevas continues strengthening the leadership of those advocating for racial, gender, and economic justice movements.
Jonatan Guerrero-Ramirez (he/him)- Born in Celaya, Mexico and raised in the small town of Waynesboro, Georgia, Jonatan is a graduate of the Art institute of Charleston and a proud DACA recipient. His passion for working with community members and collaborating with influencers grew his passion to bring inclusion into the world. Jonatan’s advocacy for the undocumented community and queer youth collaborative work can be seen in Charleston Fashion Week, Southern Living Magazine, Bravo TV, Nickelodeon Studios, HRC, Buzzfeed, ACLU, NPR, and FWS US. He is an honoree of the 2020's Honor41 list, currently sits on The City of Charleston's Latinx Advisory Council and was recently named one of Charleston's Best & Brightest. His passion for helping youth extends into the classroom where he teaches with YoArt Inc. as an adjunct teacher. Currently, he works at We Are Family as the Program Director.
Aubri Escalera (she/her/ella)- Aubrianna “ Aubri” Escalera (she/her/ella) is a Mexican Trans Latina raised in the South East of the United States of America. Aubri is a LGBTQIA+ Liaison for the office of State Rep. Park Cannon. She is also Co-Founder and Volunteer member of Trans Power in Diversity, an emerging grassroots organization working towards advancing human rights and protections for the transgender gender queer communities. Aubri is also an advocate for sensitive treatment for all asylum seekers, with a focus to improve the living conditions and sustainability of the transgender & gender non-conforming communities by advocating for the implementation of laws that ensure equity and fair opportunities regardless of gender identity or citizenship status. She also works extensively to protect voting rights, especially in our most marginalized communities, and promotes the importance of voting, protecting our democracy and advocating for Sexual Health Education and Resources . Aubri Escalera was Atlanta’s 2023 Grand Marshal for Atlanta Pride, Member of Out Georgia Business Alliance TGX360 advisory committee ,Proud Board Member of The Global Trans Equity Project and consultant for AEN consulting, INC. Aubri Escalera has been prominently featured at the 2024 LGBTQ Institute Symposium at the National Center for Civil and Human Rights. She continues to contribute to numerous impactful initiatives and projects throughout Atlanta and Low Country Savannah, GA, demonstrating her commitment to the community.
Raul Ramirez Perez (he/him)- Raul is a passionate LQBTQ+ Latino educator and advocate that wants representation and visibility for everyone in his classroom. As a classroom elementary school teacher, Raul has experience working in Special Education and ESL. He is a strong advocate for student-focused learning, culturally-responsive pedagogy, and social-emotional learning in the classrooms that he has had the privilege to work in CA and TN. He may only have 3 years of experience, but he always tries to make every student in his class feel seen and heard and understands that each student has their own unique learning style and tries to make decisions that are best for each of his students.
Raul has had the honor to be a Man Up Teacher Fellow, Tennessee Educators of Color Alliance Fellow, Leaders of Color Fellow, Education Leaders Academy Fellow, and Institute for Teachers of Color Committed to Racial Justice Fellow.
Aside from his passion in Education, Raul also has a strong commitment to HIV advocacy and education as well as Immigrants' Rights. He is the Democracy Outreach Coordinator for TIRRC Votes as well as HIV Education, Access, and Training (HEAT) certified and is part of the Promotores Program for Planned Parenthood outside of school.
Tania Jiménez (she/her)- Tania Jiménez una mujer transgénero inmigrante mexicana afro descendiente activista en la comunidad LGBTQI+ en Carolina Del Norte fundadora y directora ejecutiva de asheboro Latinxs Services .
Gabriella Rodriguez (she/her)- Gabriella Rodriguez is a dedicated queer women of color and advocate, bringing a wealth of community knowledge and advocacy expertise to her work. Her journey as an advocate for LGBTQ rights, sexual health, and wellness is deeply personal, rooted in her life experiences she approaches this work with an
These experiences have ignited a strong sense of purpose in Gabriella to rewrite the prevailing narrative. She now currently serves as the Executive Director of QLatinx, a small grassroots organization that works to uplift and empower Central Florida Latinx LGBTQ+ community. Her mission remains to dismantling stigma and discrimination within the community, raising awareness, and empowering individuals to embrace self-discovery, self-love, and personal well-being. Gabriella's work is rooted in the pursuit of social justice and equity, striving for liberation despite the odds.
Antonio Alanis (he/him)- Antonio Alanis is an artist and grant writing professional who is dedicated to using his art and writing to address important social issues. Born in Mexico, and raised in Durham, North Carolina, Antonio is deeply connected to his community and is driven by a desire to create a more equitable and inclusive society through his work. His background as an immigrant has influenced his perspective and has inspired him to explore themes of social justice, identity, and immigration in his work. In addition to being an artist, Antonio uses his grant writing experience to support nonprofits and partner’s efforts to promote social justice and advocate for historically-excluded communities.