The Zero Homophobia/Zero Transphobia (Zero) campaign is an initiative that works to combat homophobia and transphobia, particularly within the Latine/Hispanic community. Our mission is clear: to create awareness about the harmful effects of discrimination and hate based on sexual orientation and gender identity. Our goal is to foster a more respectful and loving society.
The Zero Campaign was launched in 2019 by the Latino Commission on AIDS. The campaign was born to create awareness about the negative effects of homophobia and transphobia and to bring these issues to the forefront of public discourse and action at all levels of society through our “Weeks of Action”. Zero works within policy and healthcare settings, community and arts-based organizations, and most importantly, we spark conversations among families, friends, and local communities.
Zero hosts events throughout the year with our annual campaign dates corresponding with the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, and Transphobia, observed every year on May 17, and with the International Transgender Day of Remembrance, commemorated annually on November 20.
Join COMPES (Community Organizing & Mobilization for Pride and Equity), a transformative and skills-building collective for current and upcoming LGBTQ+ Latine leaders.
As we navigate an increasingly hostile political climate, it is more urgent than ever that we come together to build long-term strategies for collective liberation. The goal of COMPES is to inform and empower LGBTQ+ Latines living across the U.S. mainland and territories, ensuring we are equipped to respond to the real and evolving needs of our queer communities.
WHAT COMPES OFFERS:
Selected leaders will attend a one-day, exclusive training session in Durham, North Carolina. This training will summarize the essential skills needed to advocate for the health and wellness of LGBTQ+ Latines, featuring learning on resisting homophobia, transphobia, and anti-immigrant policies as they relate to Latine health and liberation.
In addition, COMPES participants are encouraged to stay in town for the Latinos in the South Encuentro Conference. COMPES leaders may be eligible for discounted registrant rates.
COMPES Training:
Wednesday, October 28th, 2026 | 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM EST
Encuentro Conference: October 28th – 30th, 2026
THE IDEAL COMPES LEADER
- Identify as LGBTQ+ and as part of the Hispanic/Latine diaspora.
- Have at least 2 years of experience using their skills and/or talents to advance social change, raise political consciousness, or improve public health outcomes for LGBTQ communities.
- Demonstrate a clear commitment to health equity, justice, and freedom for all LGBTQ people and the Latine/Hispanic community.
- Center collaboration and grace when working with others—especially those with identities different from their own.
- Embrace anti-oppression analysis and critical thinking in their work.
- Lean into creativity, innovation, and joy.
APPLY NOW:
If you or someone in your network would be a great fit for this opportunity, we encourage you to apply. If you have any questions about the COMPES or the application process, contact Edric Figueroa at efigueroa@latinoaids.org.
The Zero Homophobia/Transphobia program is launching a community-powered zine to amplify the voices, stories, and survival strategies of Queer and Trans youth (ages 13–25) navigating healthcare systems across the United States and its territories. Under the theme “Reclaiming Health and Wellness,” the zine project has been conceived to compile your stories, told by you. Whether you’ve found affirming care, faced gatekeeping, been dismissed by a provider, or built your own DIY wellness network, all stories are welcomed.
This zine is a space for truth-telling, healing, and collective resistance. In a time when transgender and queer young people are under relentless political attack, we are coming together to document our realities, share knowledge, and imagine what liberatory healthcare could look like for us.
We are seeking submissions in any of the following formats:
- Personal essays, poetry,
- Comics, illustrations, paintings or photos
- Interviews or co-written pieces with friends or providers
- How-to guides, tips, or resource lists (e.g., “How I found a trans-friendly therapist,” “What I wish my doctor knew”)
- Short fiction or speculative pieces imagining better healthcare futures
Suggested themes to explore:
- First experiences with gender-affirming or reproductive care
- Navigating insurance, parental consent, or school-based health clinics
- Experiences (the good and the bad) in community-based clinics for HIV, STI, or gender-affirming care.
- Mental health, psych wards, and being taken seriously
- Chronic illness, disability, mental health and queerness
- Racism, transphobia, and classism within exam rooms
- Finding community care, peer support, and mutual aid
- Joy, resilience, and pleasure in your own body
Who should submit:
- You identify as LGBTQIA+ and are between 13 and 25. The voices of Black, Indigenous, Undocumented, and Youth of Color will be prioritized for this project.
- No prior writing or art experience is needed!
- Accepted submissions will receive a $200 honorarium.
Submission Guidelines:
- Written pieces: up to 500 words (shorter is welcome!)
- Visual art: high-resolution scans or photos (300 dpi preferred)
- Please include a short bio (2–3 sentences) and how you’d like to be credited (name, initials, or anonymous).
- Submissions can be in English, Spanish, or Spanglish.
Important Dates:
- Call for Submissions opens: September 14, 2026
- Submission Deadline: October 30, 2026 (11:59 PM EST)
A note on safety: We take your privacy seriously. You may submit anonymously, and we will never share your contact info. If you’re a minor, we encourage you to talk with a trusted adult before submitting, but we welcome submissions directly from youth.
We are actively looking for partners among different sectors of society to take the “It Ends With Me” pledge. This includes:
– Hispanic/Latino service organizations
– Healthcare providers
– Local and national LGBTQ community centers
– Community-based organizations
– Religious/Church/Spiritual leaders
– Elected officials
– Hospitals, clinics, community health centers
– Colleges or universities, student groups
– Medical associations, business associations
& More!
If you’re the leader or member of an organization and would like to partner with the campaign,
email efigueroa@latinoaids.org and let’s get started.