Xio Cervantes-Gómez is an independent scholar and author of Bottoms Up: Queer Mexicanness and Latinx Performance

Dr. Xiomara Cervantes-Gómez is a transdisciplinary queer and performance artist and theorist who bridges academic research with public storytelling and social advocacy. She holds a Ph.D. in Comparative Studies in Literature and Culture from the University of Southern California, a master’s in theology from Harvard University, and is currently completing a master’s in social work. She has also taught at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, where her courses centered on trauma, gender, and politics through the lens of contemporary Latin American and Latinx cultures.

Her book, Bottoms Up: Queer Mexicanness and Latinx Performance (NYU Press, 2024), explores queer modes of being in the face of loss and vulnerability, proposing an aesthetics of risk and an ethics of exposure. Her work has also appeared in numerous academic journals including ASAP/Journal, Journal of Latin American Cultural Studies, Aztlán: A Journal of Chicano Studies, and Journal of Visual Culture, with a focus on themes of identity, politics, trauma, and resilience.

Featured in media outlets like ABC News, CNN, and PBS, Xio’s impact extends beyond academia. She connects with broader audiences through podcasts, interviews, and speaking engagements. With her unique blend of scholarship and creative expression, she invites conversations on identity, justice, and belonging, offering a voice that resonates across disciplines.

In her public work, Dr. Cervantes-Gómez has consistently used storytelling as a powerful tool to challenge social norms and ignite transformative conversations around Latinx and queer identities. Her talks and performances, often described as visually stunning and intellectually provocative, explore the complexities of trauma, memory, and resilience. Through live engagements, she fosters intimate connections with audiences, encouraging them to confront difficult histories while embracing possibilities for healing and community.

Her influence spans across various platforms, from scholarly publications to popular media, where she advocates for marginalized voices and promotes inclusive dialogues. Whether speaking at conferences, performing on stage, or hosting workshops, Dr. Cervantes-Gómez offers her audiences a rich, layered experience—one that combines rigorous intellectual inquiry with a deep commitment to social justice and artistic innovation