Programs

August - December 2025

The Chulito Reading Club represents a sacred space for Queer Latine individuals to engage in collective learning and bonding through pertinent literature.

This program operates under the fundamental premise that engagement with literature, particularly that written by and for our community, allows for an exploration of shared experiences and differences, thereby reinforcing the understanding that the Latine community is not a monolith. Critically, the club is intentionally structured to draw participants "offline," fostering an intentional connection with literary materials and countering the effects of technological consumption and digital stimulants.

The initiative is expertly hosted and facilitated by Mr. Francisco “Paco” Gutierrez, a distinguished Mexican writer and cultural worker who possesses over 10 years of experience curating vital community spaces. Chulito Reading Club has launched in 2025, with 3 six-week virtual cycles for approximately eight to a dozen invited Queer Latine members per cycle, including visits from the authors themselves. The CQL Collaborative provides organizational support and administrative oversight for this program. Participants commit to weekly reading and attendance at virtual discussions, which require no pre-work beyond the assigned reading itself.

2025 Books & Authors:

• Chulito by Charles Rice-González 

• Middle Spoon by Alejandro Varela 

• How to Kill a Goat and Other Monsters by Saúl Hernandez