Yosimar Reyes is a nationally-acclaimed poet and public speaker renowned for his powerful performances and thought-provoking messages. Born in Guerrero, Mexico, and raised in Eastside San José, California, he draws inspiration from his experiences as an immigrant and a member of the LGBTQ+ community.
Currently, Yosimar is the Performing Artist-in-Residence at MACLA/Movimiento de Arte y Cultura Latino Americana, a community arts organization where he curates performing arts programs by uplifting the work of contemporary Chicanx/Latinx artists.
Yosimar’s work has been published in journals and books including Mariposas: An Anthology of Queer Modern Latino Poetry, Queer in Aztlán: Chicano Male Recollections of Consciousness and Coming Out, and Queer and Trans Artists of Color: Stories of Some of Our Lives. He authored the poetry collection, For Colored Boys Who Speak Softly...
Yosimar’s autobiographical one-man show, “Prieto,” premiered in San Francisco and has been touring nationwide, taking his audiences on a journey into his experience growing up queer in the ’hood of East San Jose. The unique magic behind “Prieto” is the authenticity of Yosimar’s voice -- the complex intersection of his young coming-of-age and coming-into-understanding of his queerness and his identity as an undocumented American. “Prieto” masterfully navigates topics that are often grave and entrenched in struggle, and Yosimar instead offers levity and celebration of becoming his full self against the backdrop of poverty, politics, and an unshakable spirit.
Yosimar has toured and presented at university campuses and conferences across the country, captivating audiences with his dynamic and engaging presentations. HE holds a B.A. in Creative Writing from San Francisco State University.