In celebration of National Latinx Heritage Month, El Centro is hosting a series of events to celebrate community and inclusion, featuring a talk from LGBTQ and disability rights advocate and YouTuber Annie Segarra on the Colorado State University campus.

El Centro will kick off Latinx Heritage Month on Mexican Independence Day, Monday, Sept. 16, with Mariachi Sol de Mi Tierra performing on the Lory Student Center Plaza from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

On Thursday, Oct. 3, at 6 p.m., Segarra, who goes by Annie Elainey on YouTube and identifies as disabled, queer and Latinx, will lead a talk in the Grey Rock Room of Lory Student Center.

Through her videos and social media, Segarra works to combat stereotypes and misinformation involving race, gender and disabilities. In her videos, she also regularly shares her observations and experiences with body image, LGBTQ, chronic illness and mental health.

Throughout September and October, CSU also will celebrate Latin food and culture at select campus dining locations.

“It’s an opportunity to share traditions, language, and heritage as well as multicultural identities and celebrate each other’s achievements.”

— Guadalupe Salazar, El Centro director

National Latinx Heritage Month runs from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15. It was established in 1968 under President Lyndon Johnson as Hispanic Heritage Week and later extended to a month under the Reagan administration in 1988. Latinx is a gender-neutral term for those with cultural ties to Latin America.

“While the name has changed, Latinx Heritage Month has been around for many years,” said El Centro Director Guadalupe Salazar. “It’s an opportunity to share traditions, language, and heritage as well as multicultural identities and celebrate each other’s achievements.”