︎

Leo
Aquino






(they/them)

award-winning journalist covering
anti-capitalist personal finance
radical economy
sex & relationships


poet
screenwriter
storyteller
        

The parents of a 6-year-old trans girl say they’re moving from Florida to Minnesota, fearing an anti-trans law that could threaten the custody of their daughter

Personal Finance Insider


3 core money values Tan France learned in his South Asian household that he’ll pass down to his own kids

Personal Finance Insider


I’ve moved to expensive cities with just $400, and I have 7 tips for anyone who needs to move quickly to escape anti-trans laws

Personal Finance Insider


3 tax tips for people who get paid in cash from a tax preparer who serves sex workers

Personal Finance Insider


5 tips for immigrants trying to find financial stability in the US, from CEOs with experience

Personal Finance Insider


How to crowdfund your gender-affirming surgery

Personal Finance Insider


Finding the gender identity of my wildest dreams

Trends with Benefits by MUDWTR


What I learned about myself after seven years on Tinder

HelloGiggles


Celebrate your child’s first period with the ultimate first period kit

The Fornix by Flex


What is gender euphoria?

Swell by Dame Wellness


How to share your pronouns: A guide for all ages

Folx Library


How to make your own porn

Swell by Dame Wellness


Fertility treatments for queer people: Options and resources

O.School


Key Achievements:


Copywriting:
  • Landing pages with an average conversion rate of 1.7%
  • Emails with an average open rate of 25%
  • Paid social copy with an average conversion rate of 1.2%

Content Writing:
  • 9.4 million page views per month in 2022
  • Filing 7-10 stories per week
  • Committed to uplifting BIPOC and LGBTQ+ stories







Fellowships, Awards & Residencies:


Brooklyn Poets Mentorship Program, class of 2021
led by Jay Deshpande

Millay Arts Residency (poetry), September 2021

The Curve Award for Emerging Journalists, 2022
presented by the National Association of LGBTQ+ Journalists

Lambda Literary Writer’s Retreat for Emerging LGBTQ+ Voices, class of 2022

The Disruptors Fellowship, class of 2022
presented by The Center for Cultural Power



LEO‘S 29TH BIRTHDAY ZARTY

poetry reading followed by snap cup ceremony

Monday, August 10
5-6pm PST/ 8-9pm EST
Guest of Honor: Tita Adjie, a.k.a. my mom

zoom link to be sent out privately






WTF ARE WE DOING!?


(all times pacific)

5:10pm POETRY READING
I will read you some poems that I wrote.

5:25pm THE SNAP CUP CEREMONY
Friends and family will take turns reading me compliments. Scroll to read more about The Snap Cup.

5:55pm CLOSING REMARKS by the Guest of Honor

note: yes, I will be recording this zarty because this idea is fucking epic, bro. gonna need to rewatch this snap cup ceremony on gloomy days.


WTF IS A SNAP CUP!?



As seen in the iconic film, Legally Blonde, the Snap Cup is a cup filled with compliments that are meant to be read out loud. Write a compliment for Leo before the party and get ready to share out loud. <3

WHO TF IS LEO!?



IT’S MEEEEEEEE!!!!
I have arrived, baby!!!

I’m excited to share my whole authentic self with the people that I love and care about. If you’re attending the party, please call me Leo. If you must refer to me in 3rd person, please use they/them pronouns. I also like the words cousin, sibling, brother, fam, human, dude, kuya, guys, everyone, king, and y’all — these feel aligned with my gender right now.

If you don’t know what pronouns are, read about them here. If you don’t know what my gender is, read about it here.


WHO TF IS THE GUEST OF HONOR!?


Tita Adjie is the San Pablo Sensation who was brave enough to bring me into this world 29 years ago. My literal Day One has agreed to read me a compliment out loud, thus making Filipinx history. I’m so excited!!! Love you, Mom!! <3


WHAT ELSE SHOULD I BRING!?


Make this image your Zoom background:


see ya there! <3