Yosimar Reyes, Josie Totah to visit campus, present about issues facing LGBTQ community

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — A nationally acclaimed poet and an actress will visit Purdue University in March and April.

Yosimar Reyes will present “Prieto: A One-Man Show with Yosimar Reyes” at 6 p.m. on March 27 in Krannert Building, Krannert Auditorium (Room 140), 403 W. State St. The production is an autobiographical one-man show that follows Reyes’ journey growing up queer, poor and undocumented in the streets of San Jose’s east side. This event is sponsored by the LGBTQ Center and the Latino Cultural Center.

Reyes was named one of “13 LGBT Latinos Changing the World” by The Advocate, and Remezcla included Reyes on its list of “10 Up and Coming Latinx Poets You Need to Know.” His first collection of poetry, “For Colored Boys Who Speak Softly,” was self-published after a collaboration with musician Carlos Santana. His work has also been published in various online journals and books including “Mariposas: An Anthology of Queer Modern Latino Poetry,” “Queer in Aztlán: Chicano Male Recollections of Consciousness and Coming Out,” and the forthcoming “Joto: An Anthology of Queer Xicano & Chicano Poetry.” He is a LAMBDA Literary Fellow as well as the recipient of the Undocupoets Fellowship. Reyes previously served as artist-in-residence at Define American, a media and culture organization.

The LGBTQ Center will host “An Evening with Josie Totah” at 6:30 p.m. on April 11 in the Purdue Memorial Union’s East and West Faculty Lounges.

Totah is an actress known for her recurring role on the Disney Channel series “Jessie” and her starring role on the 2013 ABC comedy series “Back in the Game.” Totah received critical praise for her role as Justin in the 2016 film “Other People.” In 2018, she starred in the short-lived NBC comedy “Champions.” Totah will share insight about her experiences as a child actress, her adjustment to college, and coming out as transgender in an Aug. 20, 2018, Time article, “My Name is Josie Totah –  And I'm Ready to Be Free.”

Both events are free and open to the public. 

Writer: Matthew Oates, 765-496-2571, oatesw@purdue.edu; @mo_oates

Source: Kelsey Chapman, 765-494-3676, chapma21@purdue.edu

Note to Journalists: If interested in interviewing the speakers or attending the events, please contact Matthew Oates at oatesw@purdue.edu.