Quick Facts
Biography
Jennicet Gutiérrez (born June 8, 1986) is an activist for transgender rights and immigrant rights. A founding member of La Familia: Trans Queer Liberation Movement, much of her activist work supports trans women detained for their immigration status. She was named on Out magazine's Out100 list in 2015. Gutiérrez is based in Los Angeles, California.
Early life
Gutiérrez was born in Mexico in 1986. She immigrated to the United States with her family when she was 15 years old. She writes that she came to the United States seeking safety and economic opportunity. Gutiérrez hopes to attain permanent resident status.
Activist work
June 2015 was when Gutiérrez received national attention after she interrupted President Obama during a dinner at the White House celebrating LGBTQ (Lesbian, Gay Transgender, Queer) accomplishments in the previous year. Much of the reaction to this act centered on assessing whether it was "right" or "wrong" to interrupt the President during a reception at the Whitehouse. The event highlighted disconnects between mainstream gay activism and transgender and immigration reform activism.
La Familia: Trans Queer Liberation Movement works at the national and local levels to achieve the collective liberation of LGBT Latin@s by leading an intergenerational movement through community organizing, advocacy, and education. Gutiérrez has been working with the organization hosting demonstrations, rallies, and dialogues, as well as fundraising for the liberation of undocumented transgender women of color facing unsafe environments in detention centers.