Lydia Otero, a native of Tucson, is an author and activist. Their memoir, "In the Shadows of the Freeway: Growing Up Brown & Queer," published in 2019, offers personal experiences intertwined with historical analysis. Through this book, Otero sheds light on the detrimental effects of environmental racism on marginalized communities. The book garnered praise, including being selected as a 'top pick' and Southwest Book of the Year by the Pima County Library in 2021. In addition to exploring environmental racism, Otero delves into the interconnected theme of intergenerational trauma, examining how historical traumas resonate across generations and affect individuals and communities.Otero's involvement in the Lesbians of Color (LOC) group in 1979 and later in Gay and Lesbian Latinos Unidos (GLLU) has provided them with a rich background in community engagement and advocacy, which they bring to their writing. In their second memoir, "L.A. Interchanges: A Brown & Queer Memoir," released in 2023, Otero intimately explores the challenges and experiences faced by LGBTQ+ individuals, skillfully weaving personal narratives with reflections on identity, activism, and community building.Otero obtained a PhD in History and served as a tenured professor in the Department of Mexican American Studies at the University of Arizona until 2020. While physically residing in Tucson, their enduring connections to Los Angeles through friends and family continue to shape their perspectives and enrich their work. Notably, Otero was featured in the 2023 PBS SoCal documentary, "Unidad: Gay and Lesbian Latinos Unidos."Throughout their career, Otero's publications have explored contested landscapes, the power of resistance and collective activism. Their book "La Calle: Spatial Conflicts and Urban Renewal in a Southwestern City," published in 2011, received a book award from the Border Regional Library Association. This work centered on a 1966 urban renewal project that specifically targeted a densely populated area in Arizona. Additionally, their book compilation "Notitas: Select Columns from the Tucson Citizen," released in 2021, showcases the writings of Alva B. Torres, a resistance fighter who valiantly opposed the destruction of Tucson's barrios in the late 1960s. In 2019, Otero's activism and scholarly contributions were honored with the Dolores Huerta Legacy Award by Arizona's César E. Chávez Holiday Coalition.For a more comprehensive understanding of Lydia Otero's work, visit their website at www.lydiaotero.com. There, you can delve further into their writings and explore their contributions to literature and activism.
