Hunger Free Oklahoma, Oklahoma
Houa Xiong (Hmong, he/him, gaysian) - SNAP Outreach Coordinator, Hunger Free Oklahoma | 2SLGBTQIA+ Volunteer and Advocate
Houa’s family immigrated to the USA to escape genocide and erasure of the Hmong people. Growing up, his family, farmers by trade and culture, were rooted in the local agriculture and farmers market culture. However, as the gay son of an immigrant Asian family, Houa felt that he could not truly be himself. Houa’s journey as an advocate is rooted in this experience and his unique voice. His family and community also faced many cycles of food insecurity. He recalls when diesel prices rose so high that several Hmong farm families lost their livelihood and savings. He remembers hearing his parents discuss asking for food, slipping in and out of their third language to hide the hardship from their children. Houa’s journey as an advocate is rooted in these experiences and his unique voice.
Houa graduated from the University of Arkansas where he obtained his Bachelors and Masters degrees in communication. After graduating, he leveraged his experience and education as an advocate for Hmong and other local farmers in Arkansas. As a farmer advocate, he helped farmers fight to maintain their farms and livelihoods, diversify their income, and access federal support.
Houa joined Hunger Free Oklahoma in 2023. Since then, Houa has been instrumental in building HFO’s 2SLGBTQIA+ constituency, resources, and programming. He also volunteers at the local queer center, to give back to his community. He believes that addressing hunger and food insecurity requires a systemic approach and centering community and their needs. He has built a strong network of 2SLGBTQIA+ anti-hunger advocates by building credibility, acting with compassion, and investing in authentic community relationships. Houa is driven by the need to center 2SLGBTQIA+ experience and requirements in anti-hunger advocacy and partnerships.