Name: Erika Gisela Abad
City, State: Las Vegas, NV
Profession: Assistant Professor of Communications, Nevada State College
Website: www.erikagabad.wordpress.com
In a few words, how would you describe yourself?
I am a grateful human, living their best life between teaching, hiking, building chosen fam, writing, and growing new things.
Your favorite hangout spots.
Calico Basin near Red Rock Canyon or the beach of any ocean.
Favorite guilty pleasure.
Reading and writing fan fiction.
Favorite quote.
“Life is a journey, not a destination.” –India Arie
Who is your biggest influence? And why?
The women I come from. My mother and grandmother consistently encouraged me to explore my independence and self-reliance while providing small acts of kindness to others.
Favorite event.
A toss-up between a Silk Sonic concert and moderating a panel with Vida cast members Ser Anzoategui and Mishel Prada at ClexaCon in 2019.
Do you have any regrets in life?
Making fear-based decisions and prioritizing what others think. Others’ ignorant reactions say more about them than it does me.
Favorite lesbian/queer celebrity.
Janelle Monáe.
Any fun facts or anything else you want our readers to know?
While living in Portland, Oregon, in the early 2010s, I was a frequent performer/poet at a sex-positive open mic called Dirty Queer, hosted by Sossity Chiricuzio.
