gladys b. vargas
they/themI’m a multimedia journalist based in Los Angeles for the UC Berkeley California Local News Fellowship︎︎︎ In the past, I’ve also been hired to speak on my work as a youth organizer and on my social media literacy.
Journalism is my approach to justice work after organizing and growing up in an ethnically diverse but majority-white community. My reporting is informed by my friends’ and family’s experiences with interpersonal and state violence, as well as the desire to highlight success and joy in local, Latino, and LGBT communities.
I love espresso, movies, and making my friends laugh :)
If you're interested in connecting over my work, or just think we’d get along well, feel free to reach out!
Selected Work︎︎︎(titles link to stories)
Race
- ‘Spy Kids,’ ‘American Me’ among 25 movies to be preserved in the Library of Congress (CALÓ News)
- Racial hate crimes in L.A. County are at their highest level, report shows (CALÓ News)
- Oscars Unity Party highlights cross-cultural community in Hollywood (CALÓ News)
- “‘We gather to remember the sound of freedom’: Newton marks Juneteenth” (Boston Globe)
- A conversation on Indigenous Peoples’ Day: Marathoner Patti Dillon speaks with grandson of Ellison Brown (BU News Service)
- Bruins part ways with player convicted of racially abusing classmate (7NEWS)
- Teen pictured in racist homecoming proposal no longer attending Trinity High (7NEWS)
Community, Politics, Labor
- Pasadena Unified moves to test soil amid concerns over contamination (San Gabriel Valley Tribune)
- Huntington Park fire station re-opens 11 months after severe fire (San Gabriel Valley Tribune)
- Baldwin Park celebrates progress on completing bike, pedestrian path (San Gabriel Valley Tribune)
- ‘They had to grow up, musically, a lot faster’ (Boston Globe)
- How ‘patient-centered’ street medicine is eliminating barriers to care (Association of Health Care Journalists)
- LA youth make PSAs on how to #FlushSmart (CALÓ News)
- Apprenticeship program leads to constructive future (Vida Newspaper)
- Dolores Huerta at Groundbreaking for Affordable housing (Vida Newspaper)
Gender
- LGBTQ+ community watches conclave and hopes Francis’ progressive moves endure (San Gabriel Valley Tribune)
- LA County launches Doula Hub with goal to ‘empower the birthing family’ (San Gabriel Valley Tribune)
- Girls Play Day offers free sports bras, resources for young Latinas (CALÓ News)
- MiSELA hosts open mic event for queer and trans adults on United Against Hate Week (CALÓ News)
- Do you know a Latine queer or trans teen scared of discrimination at a future job? They’re not alone. (CALÓ News)
- DTLA Proud Festival 2024 closes out the summer in new “Gayborhood” location (L.A. Blade)
- LGBTQ+ community advocates challenge L.A. County efforts on hate crime reporting (CALÓ News)
- WeHo Vigil and March honors life of Nex Benedict (CALÓ News)
- Hundreds attend ACLU pro-abortion rally; Pressley, Healey among featured speakers (BU News Service)