Hispanic Heritage Month: Julio Salgado Uses Art to Amplify Queer Immigrant Voices

For Hispanic Heritage Month, PFLAG Los Angeles is recognizing Julio Salgado, a queer Mexican artist and cultural organizer who has spent years using his artwork to tell stories about immigration, identity, and belonging, particularly those of undocumented LGBTQ+ people.

One of his best-known projects, "I Am UndocuQueer," features illustrated portraits of undocumented LGBTQ+ people alongside their personal stories.

The project grew out of a simple but important idea: immigrant communities are not all the same, and people shouldn't have to hide parts of who they are to be heard. Salgado's bold, colorful illustrations challenge the stereotypes that often shape conversations about immigration while giving people a chance to speak for themselves.

Salgado draws from his own experiences growing up queer and undocumented in California. His work reflects the challenges of navigating cultural expectations, family relationships, and an immigration system that can leave people feeling uncertain about their future. But he doesn't focus only on hardship. There's humor in his art, too, along with pride, joy, and the ordinary moments that rarely make it into political debates about immigration.

What makes his work especially meaningful is that it pushes back against the idea that immigrants must prove they're exceptional to deserve dignity or acceptance. His portraits remind us that people have complicated lives, different experiences, and identities that can't be reduced to a single label.

This Hispanic Heritage Month, PFLAG Los Angeles honors Julio Salgado for using his creativity to challenge stereotypes and make space for queer immigrant stories. His work reflects something central to PFLAG's mission: everyone deserves to be seen, respected, and supported for who they are.

Photo credit: JulioSalgadoArt.com