Why Nepantla?
“Nepantla" is a Nahuatl word from the indigenous language of the Mexica, which roughly translates to "in the middle" or "in-betweenness” — neither here nor there. It describes the space where individuals find themselves to be “in the middle of” an identity, perspective, experience, or societal position.
Our ancestor, Gloria Anzaldúa, Queer Chicana scholar, writer and activist, describes nepantla as a liminal space…"el lugar between worlds…where transformation and healing may be possible, where wholeness is just out of reach but seems attainable.”
In other words, nepantla is a space of possibility that offers opportunities for reflection, transformation, and personal growth. It is a doorway between past and future, old and new, known and unknown. It can be challenging and uncomfortable, but it offers us the ability to reimagine, redefine and reclaim who we truly are.
To all those whose identities and experiences are in nepantla, our community welcomes you. Nepantla can encompass a wide range of identities, including those related to gender, race, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, (dis)ability, ancestry, age, language, citizenship, etc. Experiences can include transitional moments such as career changes, educational transitions, relocation, relationship changes, health transitions, loss and grief, and so much more.