Yosimar
Reyes

Details

Biography
Topics
Art & Politics
Immigration
Latinxs
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer
Multiculturalism
Performance
Poetry/Spoken Word
Pride Reimagined
Programs for High School Students
Racism/Racial Justice
Resiliency/Healing
Youth/Student Activism

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 Jose, Reyes draws inspiration from his personal experiences as an immigrant and as a member of the LGBTQ+ community.

Reyes' talent has earned him numerous accolades, including being named a Lambda Literary Fellow and the recipient of the UndocuPoets Fellowship. The Advocate named Reyes one of "13 LGBT Latinos Changing the World" and Remezcla included Reyes on their list of "10 Up And Coming Latinx Poets You Need To Know." He has toured and presented at university campuses across the United States, captivating audiences with his dynamic and engaging presentations.

His first collection of poetry, For Colored Boys Who Speak Softly… was self-published after a collaboration with the legendary Carlos Santana. His work has also been published in various online journals and books including Mariposas: An Anthology of Queer Modern Latino Poetry (Floricanto Press), Queer in Aztlán: Chicano Male Recollections of Consciousness and Coming Out (Cognella Press), and the forthcoming Joto: An Anthology of Queer Xicano & Chicano Poetry (Kórima Press). Reyes was featured in the Documentary, "2nd Verse: The Rebirth of Poetry."

Yosimar's autobiographical one-man show, "Prieto," premiered in the Fall of 2022 at San Francisco's Bravo Theater and he is available to perform excerpts or the full show which takes his audience 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. "Prieto" remains unabashed and unapologetic in its critique of oppressive laws and traditions while offering truth, clarity, and above all joy.

Reyes holds a B.A. in Creative Writing from San Francisco State University, where he honed his craft and developed his unique voice. With his inspiring words and powerful presence, Yosimar Reyes continues to be a leading voice in contemporary poetry and an important advocate for social justice.
 

Testimonials
“I've rarely seen students as thrilled to have a guest join us, as they were for Yosimar when he was the keynote speaker for the state-wide Queer & Trans People of Color Conference at UC Santa Cruz. Yosimar’s powerful, honest and vulnerable performance and storytelling gifts had everyone in the audience laughing, snapping, “yaaas”-ing, shedding tears of laughter, joy and of pain. As one student shared with me after Yosimar’s performance, “I needed those stories and his energy now more than ever, that was like therapy for my queer, undocumented soul!”
— Travis Becker, Director of the Cantú Queer Center, University of California, Santa Cruz 
"Yosimar Reyes creatively theorizes and deconstructs the experiences of undocumented folk, queer folk, and Latinx folk is visionary, cutting edge, and so necessary for all to hear. His critiques are sharp, and his approach is loving and joy-filled. His pain is vivid, and still his voice and vision for self and collective healing is unmatched in the creative world, as well as activist and academic spaces."
Anita Tijerina Revilla, Associate Professor and Chair on Interdisciplinary, Gender, and Ethnic Studies and Ex-Officio Co-Chair of the Association of Joteria Arts, Activism and Scholarship

“Yosimar Reyes humanizes the complex experiences of undocumented immigrants living in the United States today, allowing us to look through a lens layered with joy, struggle, resiliency, and hope. His works pushed my students towards a place of advocacy, action, and creation, showcasing how much we can learn when we listen and allow the affected to tell their own stories.”
— Emily Lang, Des Moines Public Schools

“When Yosimar began to speak, the room was packed, and even weeks after his visit, students are still talking about the lasting impression he left on them. His presence on stage, his humor, and his poetry were immensely impactful, moving, and empowering. For those of us who visited, it was easily the best event we saw on campus this year.”
— Gregor Mieder, Director of Immigrant Services Program, DREAMer Network, Gender, Women’s and Sexualities, Metropolitan State University of Denver CO

“Yosimar was really, really wonderful! I've heard from numerous people that they had not planned to stay for the keynote, but after hearing just a few minutes of Yosimar's speech they had to stay! He was great to work with, connected well with the audience, and weaved everything we were hoping for into a very powerful and poignant lecture. Students were lined up afterwards for pictures and autographs.  Thank you again for helping us to bring him!”
— Jessika Murphy, Coordinator of Diversity & Inclusion, California State University, East Bay, Hayward CA

Speeches
UndocuJoy: Shifting the Perspective in Undocumented Representation
As the media focuses on gloom and doom narratives concerning undocumented immigrants in this country Yosimar offers an insightful look at the ways in which undocumented artists are resisting narratives of fear and creating works that give people hope. In this presentation Reyes explores the ideas of agency and allowing undocumented people to exist beyond narratives of deportations.

We Never Needed Papers to Thrive
A poignant and insightful workshop aimed at looking ways in which immigrants can be masters of their own narratives. This creative writing workshop aims to explore stories of resilience. 
Media
SpeakOut Webinar: We Never Needed Papers to Thrive