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Hello everyone! My name is Jasmin Ramirez, I am 22 and this is my last semester at cal state LA. I will be graduating with a double major in Sociology and WGSS. I am born and raised in Boyle Heights and I wouldn't have it any other way, this is the only home I know. Two unique things about me is that I love to dance and I recently got into baking beignets. It's so hard for me to choose one topic I find interesting in WGSS because I love all that I have learned, but one class that really gave me a deeper perspective was disability studies because I had never even known about the disability rights movement prior to taking this class.

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Hello everyone my name is Manny Ibarra (He,Him,EL) and this is my last year of undergrad. My home is the San Gabriel Valley. I grew up in El monte until I moved to Rosemead so I have been able to grow with a lot of diversity. I am double majoring in Chicanx Studies and Women Gender and Sexuality Studies with an emphasis on feminism. My career interest is to hopefully one day be a professor and do research on the undocumented queer Latinx population in the U.S. I love going on hikes and being in nature and I am a chocoholic. The topic that I find most interesting is research on POC when it comes to gender and sexuality especially if the research includes LGBT communities. I don’t think I have a current favorite song but any songs from the early 20s and 2010s are my favorite. Also that Spanish perreo/reggae or “Todo de Ti” will help me start the day.

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Hey everyone, my name is Breny. Im a political science major, with an emphasis in pre-legal studies. This is my last year at CSULA. I was born in Los Angeles and I have lived here my entire life. Something interesting about me is I had surgery because a got a needle stuck in my left foot completely. Also I have duo citizenship. I love watching rom-coms, playing Mario kart and doing arts & crafts.  My favorite movies are “She’s The Man” and “High School Musical”. My favorite song at the moment is “How Deep is Your Love” by the Bee Gees. (Not my fav song overall though just at the moment.) My favorite WGSS topic would definitely be intersectionality. Anyway, hope y'all have a great and successful semester.

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Hey y'all my name is Bryan. I am a second year grad student in the CLS department. I am from South Central Los Angeles and this is home. My ultimate goal is to get into a PhD program and become a tenure-track professor. I'm really into sneakers and I love corridos/hip-hop. I'm interested in how to do gendered analysis, I do work on corridos and hip-hop and am lacking in my gender analysis of that intersection. My current favorite song is Billie Bosa Nova (the homie put me on!)

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Hi all! My name is Rebecca. I am in my second and final year of the CLS graduate program, yay! I did my undergrad at CSU LA and earned a B.A in Liberal Studies.
I grew up in the Central Valley of California which is about 5ish hours from Cal State LA this is where I consider home. I also consider LA home as well, I have grown to love it so much.
My interest is to become a university professor or something along the lines of working with students involving community care. I honestly have gone back and forth about what I want to become but I know ill figure it out a long the way.
One interesting fact about me is I have traveled to Spain a few years ago with a group of friends and was the most unforgettable experience of my life. The second unique thing to know about me would be that I would love to own a flower/interior design business. I'm constantly online looking at different ways to decorate living spaces on a budget and as far as flowers go im just obsessed with them, they brighten my day!
I have sooo many favorite songs but I think my favorite song at the moment would be by Omar Apollo, "Want You Around".

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Hi all, my name is Jessica Rodriguez Lazo. This cutie is my baby niece, Demi Rose 🌹named after mi abuelita. I am a second year grad student in the CLS department. I graduated with my B.A. in Chicanx and Latinx Studies with a minor in psychology from CSULA, so I've been on campus for a few years (can't seem to leave lol). My home is La Puente ❤️. My goal is to get into a PhD program and be able to teach. I loveeee coffee and I'm a drummer! lol I'm mostly drawn to learning about research that centers the voices of women. My current song on replay is "La Esquinita" by Vicente Garcia.

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Hello all, my name is Gisele Aquino (she/her) I am a fourth-year student at CSULA. I am from Los Angeles from the East Hollywood area and am majoring in political science (pre-law) and minoring in wgss. Some interesting things about myself is that I have two tabby cats named Nylah and Simba and a yellow lab named Boomer. This summer I recently got a second tattoo of a woman holding a cat surrounded by plants which I came up within a span of 2 days and booked an appointment to get it done immediately. The topic in wgss that I find most interesting is decolonial feminism in order to deconstruct a lot of ideas that were taught to us that were the product of colonization. My current favorite songs are Vienna by Billy Joel and Don't Worry Baby by The Beach Boys.

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Hi all! My name is Michelle Morataya (she/her), and I am a grad student in the Latin American Studies department. I am also working on getting my Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies certificate at the same time. I graduated in 2020 with my B.A. in Chicanx & Latinx studies with minors in LAS and WGSS from CSULA, so it’s safe to say I like this place. I grew up in Santa Monica & Culver City and I’m fortunate to call Alhambra home! Post-grad, I would like to venture into Archival and Library science fields, so I will be looking into certificate programs or another M.A program in those fields. Eventually, I would love to go onto a Ph.D. program where I could blend archives and LAS X WGSS together. I love collecting vinyl, taking care of my plants, and I am into astrology! (Aries sun and rising with a Virgo moon❤️‍🔥). During the quarantine, I started making jewelry for my loved ones and I dived back into anime/ manga. I grew up watching a bunch of stuff with my sibling, so it was nice to re-watch some of my classic shows, get into new ones, and nerd out with my sibling again. (My favorites//comfort shows are Sailor Moon, Neon Genesis Evangelion, Cowboy Bebop, and Wotakoi: Love is Hard for Otaku). My favorite feminist/WGSS research typically involves the centering of radical women, people, and communities whose stories aren’t centered in Latin America. By using Intersectional, Decolonial, and Feminist frameworks (and so many I'm not listing omg!!), I focus on how despite immense hardships/destruction, people rebuilt and contributed to the greater good of their community's future. Whether that be through artivism, music, mutual aid, carework, etc., people's radicalness has always existed and will continue to do so. My current favorite songs are Disco Is by Shintaro Sakamoto and Everything Counts by Depeche Mode.

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It's a pleasure to meet everyone! My name is Jasmine Mendoza, my pronouns are she/her. This is my first semester as a Post-Bacc Certificate in WGSS student; I received my Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies from San Francisco State University in 2016, and my Master of Communication Management from the University of Southern California in 2018. I am a first-gen American from a multi-generational Filipino immigrant family (I identify as Filipina-American) who was born and raised in Los Angeles; I've lived in Maui, HI for the past two years, so I consider Los Angeles, Hawaii, and the so-called Philippine Islands as home. Though I admittedly do not work in the communication field (I found out very quickly that corporate 9-5 life was NOT for me), I love all forms of communication and storytelling like art, dance, theater, film, poetry, literature, etc., and I am an aspiring writer as well. I currently work as a zipline guide! When I'm not working or studying, I enjoy all things of the spiritual and wellness variety (mindfulness & connectedness, astrology, indigenous spirituality, or witchcraft anyone?!). As a queer woman of color, I am particularly interested in the cross sections of intersectionality, decolonization, queer theory/studies, abolitionism, and feminism; these subjects have personally impacted me in my own journey through life, and I am extremely dedicated to engaging in transformative praxis for myself, my loved ones, and my community for the rest of my life. My current favorite song is "The Hardest Part" by Olivia Dean! (And yes, my favorite color is purple!)

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Hello, my name is Priscilla. I was born in L.A. and lived in San Gabriel and Pasadena and now live in Altadena. I am in my last year in the WGSS major. I chose the LGBTQ Studies emphasis because I want to work with LGBTQ youth and young adults. I think they are very vulnerable to pressure about who they are from family, friends, and society and they need to know that they are important and able to have a loving community surrounding them. The L.A. LGBT Center has several programs for LGBTQ+ youth and I am interested in working in that kind of program whether it be there or at another organization. Two topics that interest me are femicide and reproductive justice. Both of these subjects involve taking away the right for women to freely live their lives the way they want and that bothers me and it is something that I would want to change, although I don’t know how yet. I like to write and I’ve been working on many different short stories, but have yet to finish any of them. A few years ago, my friend was attending USC’s film school and I was the subject of many of his assignments including a short film, a commercial, and various photography assignments. The photo I included was an impromptu role as I was coming home from work and he asked if I could sit for his studio photography class. I don’t like a lot of photos of me, but the few that I do were all taken by him. My favorite song right now is “Agony” by Beach Fossils. It’s a cover of a Yung Lean song and it came out a few years ago, but I just found out about it and I can’t stop listening to it.

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Hello everyone, I am Natalya Montes, my pronouns are She/they, and I am from Alhambra. My major is creative writing with single subject teaching and a minor in WGSS, this is also my last year at CSULA. I love to write poetry, going to concerts/shows was my life before the pandemic as I am a huge music person(metal,k-pop, pop-punk, ska, hardcore, Japanese 90s, and more) and I have two cats. Some things that are interesting about me are that, I have been cancer-free for 16 years and that my birthday is 9-9, and my grandmother's is 10-10 lol. My career interest would be to teach high school for a few years then hopefully teach WGSS or English classes that are on the subject of women in science fiction, American women writers, or classes of that subject.

The topic that I find most interesting in WGSS is gender performance and how it contributes to many things in society and how it operates.

I have two favorite songs at the moment 1/6 by Sunmi, it's a k-pop song that has such a fun beat and Venus Fly Trap by Marina

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Hello everyone, I am Brenda Alonso, my pronouns are she/her(s)/ella. The little doggy in the pic is my precious baby, Dip, everyone calls him Dippy! He is 5 years old and is so amazing, he’s my best friend! I am a 5th year (last semester, yay) majoring in Sociology and minoring in WGSS! Although I am a SOC & WGSS major, I also have a passion for Anthropology/Archeology (which I hope is a field I am able to get into in the future, or even sooner, who knows)! My favorite place is the Exposition Pak because it is home to the Science Center and The Natural History Museum of Los Angeles, and I can spend HOURS there without being bored, just last month, I was there 4 times. Another interesting thing is that I taught myself how to read Portuguese, but just a tiny bit and I am currently teaching myself French.. so bonjour/bon soir! I am able to speak two sentences fluently in French haha, but I am still learning! One thing from WGSS research that I find interesting is when it comes to purity associated to women’s virginity. Society’s obsession with the topic is just baffling, especially with its double standards. My favorite song (at the moment) is ScheiBe by Lady Gaga, I LOVE HER. A strange fact about me is that I don’t really listen to music, I listen to podcasts, anything from AudioChuck is my favorite, OLOGIES with Alie Ward! In terms of music, my favorite musicians is Harry Styles! I absolutely ADORE him!

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hello! My name is Selena, I use any pronouns and I am a 5th year student at CSULA. I am a WGSS Major and I grew up in Covina, but recently moved out to San Bernardino. I hope to be an elementary school teacher after graduating and getting a teaching credential. Something interesting about me is that I enjoy foraging and food autonomy! I also work full time as a manger at the Goodwill so if you want to go thrifting I get 35% off LOL. One topic I find interesting is how gender and sexuality is presented and explained to children, especially in literature. My current favorite song is probably WILSHIRE by tyler the creator

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Hey everyone!
My name is Cindy Sibrian, my pronouns are she/they, and I am a 3rd year student at CSULA. I was born in Dallas, Texas but was raised in Los Angeles and like to consider myself an LA baby. I grew up in Highland Park (my childhood neighborhood), and later moved to Lincoln Heights-- where I now call home. I am majoring in Television, Film, and Media with a minor in Women, Gender, and Sexuality studies in hopes to become a Chicanx/Queer screenwriter who brings to life the diverse experiences of minority communities.
Over the summer, I wanted to test my green thumb and grew some cilantro, basil, catnip (for my kitty) and failed at growing lavender. I love cilantro and add it to almost every dish so growing my very own cilantro bunches helped me save a bit:)
If any of y'all have pets, I'm sure that most of you have gotten much more attached to your fury buds. At least I have! My cat is 2 years old and she is my princess. She is my most trusted companion and she makes being stuck in my room feel so much better. At the moment I'm interested in the difference and effects of the male gaze vs the female gaze. Just a few days ago I was talking with a friend and the term came up, and I have heard of the terms before but never really fully captured the differences between them.
I love music and feeling like it's swallowing up my soul and cradling me like a baby. That's just how I need my music to make me feel. I need music that touches the depths of me and make me feel happy to be alive. Trust me y'all I am more than ok ! But it is so amazing how powerful music is and how it can sometimes lift us up, help us cry, get us hyped, get us grooving and all ! It's so hard for me to choose a song but the artists I highly recommend are Gus Dapperton, DannyLux, and Eslabon Armado. These three artists get me deep in my feels and just take me to another world.

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Hello everyone! I am Dalia and my pronouns are she/hers/ella. I am a fourth year (graduating next spring!) and double majoring in Chicanx Latinx Studies and Women Gender and Sexuality Studies. I am originally from Guadalajara, Mexico and immigrated to the US at the age of 7 and have lived in LA (specifically the Boyle Heights area) since then. One interesting fact about myself is that I am the oldest of 5 (only 3 of them are in the picture). Another interesting fact is that I currently coach the dance team at the high school that I attended. As a CLS and WGSS major, I am really interested in the topics revolving Chicana/Latinx women. I have previous experience with Chicana centered research, so I hope to somehow incorporate that work into this class and share it with everyone as well! I am part of a research project that revolves in interviewing Chicanx activist from the Movimiento. If y'all are interested follow our Instagram page @grito_series and
my current favorite song has to be Woman by Doja Cat.

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My name is Maribel, I'm a 4th year WGSS major. I grew up in East LA and went to school in Boyle Heights so I like to call both of them my home. I enjoy going on walks and hiking with friends. The topic in WGSS that I find most interesting is the virgin/whore dichotomy because it affects women and the way their sexuality is viewed by society. It is difficult to pick just one song as my favorite but two songs I have on repeat are No One's In The Room by Jessie Reyez and I Guess I'm In Love by Clinton Kane.

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Hello Everyone! My name is Danielle Noemi Barrios. I am so excited to say this is officially my last semester at CSULA. FOUR years of hard work and dedication is finally going to pay off. I feel so happy to know that I am so close to the finish line! Anyways, I have decided to do a mini collage that included some of the people I love and my dogs. I couldn’t just choose one picture haha. People in the collage are my parents, my partner in crime, nieces and nephews, and my three dogs ( Chapo- the Pitbull with his tongue out ; Munchie - the white Poodle/Maltese enjoying the breeze and my sweet girl Brandy who is in doggy heaven- German shepherd who was taking a nap).

I am from the city of South Gate. My family has lived in the same house since 1987, and is the house I grew up in and still live in today. Home for me is where I live, my house is where all my family likes to come too because it's the house everyone has grown up in.

My major is Sociology and minoring in Women’s Gender Social Studies. My interest is to work with children or even families. I would love to be a child psychiatrist or a family therapist. Two unique things about me are : 1) I am outgoing and love to go on adventures. 2). I love to chill with my loved ones, listen to music or watch movies.( HUGE MOVIE PERSON). I am the “cool aunt” to these kiddos and I just always love when they come over!  A topic In WGSS I find interesting is intersectional feminism. The reason why is because this allows us to better understand one another. My current favorite song right now would probably be Aloha by Rauw Alejandro x Maluma but also Volvi by Bad Bunny. Actually there are too many favorite songs that I have but I will just leave these two. :)

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Hi all! My name is Natalia Plata and I am on my last and final year at Cal State LA. It has been a crazy adventure but I am very anxious to be done already haha. I am a Political Science major with an emphasis in Public Administration and I am also minoring in Women's, Gender and Sexuality Studies. I would consider East LA to be my home as it is where I was raised for most of my childhood. I am currently still figuring out my career interests/plan, for now I am trying to not stress about it as much as possible :) Two unique things about me is that I love creating art of probably all kinds, whether it be drawing, resin art, nail art, sewing, cooking, scrapbooking, I enjoy doing it all! Another thing would be that I am obsessed with Starbucks cold cups and have way too many Lol. The topic that interests me the most in WGSS is reproductive rights and reproductive justice . It is an ongoing issue that needs to stay relevant and important to keep fighting for. My favorite song at the moment is Good Days by SZA <3

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My name is Anna & i’m a 4th year WGSS major. I am born & raised in Westlake LA. I work as a teacher assistant for a kinder/TK class and as a student
assistant in the E&T department. I am interested in researching more about young parenting because this topic should be more supported instead of stigmatized. My favorite song currently is a tie between Volvi by Bad Bunny & Aventura and Sk8er Boi by Avril Lavigne.

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Hello!

I'm Inés, and I'm a kindergarten teacher for LAUSD in the community of Watts.  I'm in my 2nd year of the Chicana/o Latina/o Masters program. Home is Long Beach, and I grew up in Cerritos. 2 unique things about me are 1) I moved to Barcelona in 2013 and lived there for 6 months. 2) Visiting Sta. Ines Ahuatempan, Puebla for Dia de los muertitos, with my dad, is one of the my most cherished memories.  Intersectional feminism and  Chicana Feminist Epistimology are the topics/research I find most interesting, as an educator I believe that both of these topics help shape my pedagogy.   I love music! Right now I'm listening to Soy Chingona by Tiarra Girls and Indecisive by Snoh Aalegra.

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Hello everyone! My name is Chelsy Quirarte and I am currently on my last year at CSULA. I am a Women's, Gender and Sexuality Studies major with a Chicana/o and Latina/o Studies minor. I was born in Los Angeles and I have lived here my entire life. Something interesting about me is that I have been a vegetarian for almost four years now. I really like cooking so the switch was pretty easy to do. Another unique thing about me is that I really enjoy reading. My favorite genre is horror, but I also like romance. My favorite topics to discuss in WGSS are intersectional feminism and environmental feminism. I enjoy learning about these topics because I feel that everyone has a unique experience. Lastly, my favorite song at the moment is "Ew" by Joji.

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Diego and I on a walk in our neighborhood, 2021.

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I was born and raised in Boyle heights until I was 6, then I moved to Baldwin Park. I went to Baldwin Park high school, Rio Hondo Community College and Cal State LA for Undergrad and my Master's in Chicana/x/o Latinx/a/o Studies. I have a PhD in Women's Studies that I received from the University of Minnesota. My partner also teaches at Cal State LA. Our soon to be 7 year old, Diego, loves playing Roblox and Minecraft and he tries so hard to teach me to play. Lol. I love music, intersectional feminism and spending time with my loved ones. My current fave song is "Se Amerita" by Junior H.  It makes me smile and reminds me that we are all deserving of happiness y festejo en esta vida :D