Latinx Drag Queens in the United States

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Latinx drag queens in the United States describes the drag culture of the Latino community within the LGBTQ community in the U.S. A latino drag queen is a drag queen of Latino ethnicity. Since individuals of these communities are at the intersectionality of several minority groups, they can be considered a triple minority.

In drag they perform theatrically in nightclubs and other various performance venues. In addition to drag performance, many Latino drag queens participate actively in the LGBTQ and Latino civil rights movements. Various organizations exist to support the civil movement to achieve equal rights for those in each community. Latino drag queens are present in various forms of American media including television and film.

History

Latino drag queens residing in the United States face the stereotypes and struggles of both the Latino community and in the LGBTQ communities. Their identity falls within two cultures while intermixing with the United States culture. Latino religion enforces struggles on the LGBTQ community where members in the community face risk of no support from family and friends. Furthermore, as a minority race group within the United States they face Latino struggles.

Latinx Culture and Homophobia

Latinx culture entails a complex history that weaves together impactful narratives of religion and homophobia. According to the NGO Transgender Europe, Latin America has the highest rates of violence towards the LGBT community in the whole world. There is no doubt that religion plays a role in creating a homophobic feeling amidst Latinos. In fact, a study published in 2012 found that Latinos, specifically, had higher internalized homophobia than Whites, mediated by their greater exposure to non-affirming religion. Additionally, this study found that Latinos, when compared to whites, are more likely to stress the importance of religion, to attend church weekly, and to interpret the Bible as the literal word of God.

This strong presence of religion in Latinx culture clashes with the modern LGBTQ communities in both Latin America and the United States, causing a lack of acceptance and violence. When looking at religion as a variable, one can see that the more catholic-dominated a country is, the more accepting they are likely to be of the LGBTQ community. On the other hand, Latinx countries that are dominated by Evangelical churches, such as Brazil, Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras, are less likely to be accepting. While both institutions are generally not very accepting to the LGBTQ community, the Evangelical church tends to be more opposed to anti-discriminatory statutes.

Caught in an unaccepting and homophobic culture, Latinx Drag Queens must persevere and endure so much to simply be who they want to be. When considering this aspect of Latinx culture, it only emphasizes the strength of Latinx members of the LGBTQ community.

Latinx LGBTQ Culture in the US

The fight for the visibility of the Latino and queer community has existed for many years, but approached a turning point with the civil rights movements of the 1960s. The movements worked to push many minority groups forward in their fight for equal rights. Among these groups were the Latinx LGBTQ group, caught at the intersection of fighting for Latinx rights, as well as LGBTQ rights. A main milestone for the creation of many of these organizations was the Stonewall Riots of June 28th, 1969. By mobilizing against the unjust arrest of the LGBTQ individuals, a movement began which called to attention the presence of this community in the U.S. Important figures involved with this civil rights movement include transgender activists, Sylvia Rivera and Marsha P. Johnson. Recent scholars have called for more recognition for the drag queens and people of color involved in Stonewall.

As of late, a large change in United States legislation has come in the years 2015 and 2016. In June of 2015, the Supreme Court decided to recognize same-sex marriage (Obergefell v. Hodges). In 2016, the Supreme Court overturned an Alabama court decision that denied a lesbian family their right to adoption, and avowed that the adoption recognized in one state had to be recognized in all states. But with the advancements, came drawbacks, including the racial profiling of the LGBTQ community. One event that drew these communities together was the Orlando Pulse Shooting on June 12th, 2015, which occured on Latin Night at the gay club Pulse. The shooting including the loss of many Latino drag queens and gays. These events, good and bad, continue to call to attention the discussion of intersectionality, and how far the Latinx LGBTQ community has come, but how far they have to go.

Venues of Latino Drag

Bars and Clubs

Washington, D.C.

In Washington D.C., the gay bar Escandalo’s opening in February 1994 offered one of the first regular performance sites for Latino drag performers. Shows drew enthusiastic crowds. Deco Cabana followed Escandalo in 1998 with shows hosted by Xavier Bloomingdale that showcased talented Latino drag performers.

Noche Ardiente was founded by Alondra Sanchez and Juanita Dior. On Saturdays, they host one of the largest Latino LGBT parties in the DMV area. They put on a drag show with music and dancing, as well as DJ shows. They also host a pageant called Miss Ardiente that takes place over the month of November with categories such as talent, swimwear, and evening gown.

Houston, Texas

In Houston, the bar at Hacienda La Esperanza hosts a variety of drag shows throughout the week. Popular latino drag queens at this bar include Melissa Clinton, Ana Bárbara, and Danny Lopez. Drag queens at Hacienda like to perform as popular Latina singers, Jenni Rivera, Paquita la del Barrio, and Laura León. They draw in a mixed audience of straight and gay, young and old, and host karaoke nights and salsa nights with drag queens.

Los Angeles, California

In the neighborhood of Silver Lake, there is a club called Cavern Club below the Casita del Campo restaurant. The drag shows that take place here consist of several different acts, including Chico’s Angels. Chico’s Angels has existed since 2003 and is made up of angels Kay Sedia, Chita Parol, and Freida Laye, and their boss, Bossman. The cast of the show is of Mexican descent. Kay is from Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico, Chita is from East Los Angeles, California, Freida is from La Frontera de Chihuahua, Ciudad Juarez Mexico, and Bossman from Pacoima, California. They perform live "episodes" in rotation, as well as online episodes.

For 20 years, Dragstrip 66 was a popular club in downtown LA. Running from 1993-2003, Dragstrip was started by Mr. Dan (aka hostess Gina Lotriman) and DJ Paul V. For their first 11 years, they were located at Rudolpho’s, until moving to The Echoplex. Every month, they hosted different drag shows including “Mi Navidad Loca”, and “Hooray for Bollywood”. They were also hosts to Varla Jean Merman, and Chi Chi LaRue.

New York City, New York

La Pulperia is a chain of restaurants. On Sundays at their Hell's Kitchen location, they offer a Drag Brunch, advertised with food, Broadway, and cocktails. Drag queen Ritzy Bitz hosts.

La Nueva Escuelita was a Latino gay bar that ran for 19 years in Hell’s Kitchen on W. 39th street. They held a variety of drag revues, including both old and new drag queens, such as Angel Sheridan, Lady Catiria, and Jessica Foxx. Previously in its spot was a language school, which is how Escuelita got its name. They closed in 2016 due to gentrification of the area and the increasing resistance of the cops and neighborhood.

Chicago, Illinois

In 1969, Jim Flint, drag queen and actress, opened The Baton Show Lounge on Clark Street in the northside of Chicago. The Baton is the longest running revue show of its kind in the United States. They have a long list of drag performers in their cast that helped them win the “Top of the Nation Revue”. They host the Continental Pageantry System, made up of Miss Continental, Miss Continental Plus, and Mr. Continental. Angél Saez, who joined The Baton cast in 2013, is a former Mr. Continental and comes from San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Latino LGBTQ Organizations

In the seventies there began a rise in Latino LGBTQ organizations beginning in response to the 1969 Stonewall Riot . The riot resulted in various Latino/a groups to form across the United States to advocate for Latino LGBTQ rights at the political and economic level. The seventies also faced a rise in HIV/AIDS diagnosis among the gay community as a whole so Latino/a gay communities hoped to raise awareness and education to prevent the spread of the disease. Other rights advocated for by the Latino/a LGBTQ organizations included the ideals similar to those of the white gay community at the time. These communities requested the government to allow the individuals to live as they choose, serve in the armed forces, and provide benefits to same-sex couples. In addition, the Latino/a community requested a shift in race, class and gender oppression in the society .

Comunidad de Orgullo Gay

A Puerto Rican LGBTQ organization founded in 1974 in response to the Stonewall Riot in order to raise awareness of the LGBTQ community inside of Puerto Rico. It was the first organization in Puerto Rico to start in hopes of combatting social, political and legal discrimination on the LGBTQ community in Puerto Rico. In 1976 the organization disbanded.

The Latino Pride Center (LPC)

The LPC is considered one of the first organizations committed to the Latino/a gay cause. The organization began in result of the California state government ending Prop 8 and a portion of the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), allowing same sex couples to marry in California. The organization aims to focus on the individual, the family, and the community of the gay community to represent the three triangles in the logo. The organization was aided by the Hispanic AIDS Forum to expand support beyond HIV/AIDS education.

LLEGO

Of the Latino/a LGBTQ organizations to begin following the Stonewall Riot, the formerly known National Latina/o Lesbian and Gay Organization (LLEGO) provided a wide span of support to represent Latino/a gays in the United States and Puerto Rico. Their goals comprised of organizing the Latino/a LGBTQ communities into a group, encourage sexual empowerment and the fight for public health services and work within the Latino/a community to combat homophobia. In the early 2000s LLEGO began media work to combat the homophobia in the Latina/o community by promoting images of same-sex couples associated with family. Due to financial debt from governmental support, LLEGO dissolved in 2004 but return in 2005 as ALLGO to represent all people of color other than the Latino/a community specifically.

Entre Hermanos

Entre Hermanos is a Latino/a LGBTQ organization based in Washington to provide social, educational, and health services to the LGBTQ community in Seattle. A Washington group of LGBTQ Latinos realized the demand for support services in the area. The organization began in 1991 and by December 1992 it grew to a level where it supported fundraising to cover its costs. In 1993 Entre Hermanos combined with POCAAN, a HIV/AIDS health service for people of color. By 2001 Washington granted the group to become a nonprofit organization to continue the support of the Latino LGBTQ community in Washington. The group hosts community outreach events to support the community while raising awareness of the LGBTQ community in the area. The organization also provides HIV preventions services through free HIV testing and HIV prevention community outreach at Noche Latina on Sunday nights at Neighbours nightclub.

AZTECA Project

AZTECA project collaborates with Age and Independence Services (AIS), Counsel on Minority Aging (CMA), Commission on Aging (COA) Chula Vista, CA, and AARP. AZTECA Project assists those agencies to focus on the gay population over 50 in the San Diego area. This organization has been important because of the neglect of most organizations of the aging population, and the lack of resources available to the older citizens.

Movements/Events

Stonewall Riot

The Stonewall Riot of 1969 pinpointed the beginning of the LGBTQ movement in the United States and ultimately resulted in the creation of Latino LGBTQ groups.

Entre Hombres

Entre Hombres is a collection of symposiums and workshops sponsored by the LPC for the Latino gay community to find their place in the “gay scene”. The workshops take place in Bronx, Queens and Manhattan to promote health and wellness, provide special outreach events and provide individual support to Latinos in the gay community of New York.

Familia es Familia campaign

In 2012 22 various Latino affiliated organizations sponsored the Familia es Familia campaign. The campaign gave the participating organizations trainings, videos and various other resources to educate members of the rights of same-sex couples in an effort to reach the communities on same-sex marriage. The campaign was announced at the National Council of La Raza’s convention in Las Vegas in June of 2012.

In the Media

TV

RuPaul’s Drag Race

RuPaul’s Drag Race is an American reality television series that first aired on February 2nd, 2009. The show is run by RuPaul, who is searching for “America’s next drag superstar." Throughout its nine seasons, the show has featured various drag queens of Latinx origin:

• Valentina - Season 9
• Aja - Season 9
• Violet Chachki - Season 7
• Bianca Del Rio - Season 6
• Adore Delano - Season 6
• Cynthia Lee Fontaine - Season 8, 9
• Kenya Michaels - Season 4
• Ginger Minj - Season 7
• Carmen Carrera - Season 3
• Roxxxy Andrews - Season 5
• Delta Work - Season 3
• April Carrión - Season 6
• Jaymes Mansfield - Season 9
• Alexis Mateo - Season 3
• Nina Flowers - Season 1
• Naysha Lopez - Season 8
• Serena ChaCha - Season 5
• Kandy Ho - Season 7
• Jade - Season 1
• Monica Beverly Hillz - Season 5
• Madame LaQueer - Season 4
• Jessica Wild - Season 2
• Yara Sofia - Season 3
• Lineysha Sparx - Season 5

The show gives Latinx drag queens a platform on popular television that much of their community does not obtain, but along with this also comes struggles that they must endure. For example, during the competition, the contestants must complete a reading and a celebrity impersonation challenge. Latinx contestants tend to be made fun of and have a difficult time with these challenges. In fact, Kenya Michaels, a Puerto Rican contestant on the show, gave an infamous performance of a Beyoncé impersonation, that RuPaul described as “uncomfortable” to watch. Other contestants have attempted to utilize their differences as an advantage: another Puerto Rican, Lineysha Sparx, chose to impersonate Celia Cruz instead of her original choice, Michelle Obama. Throughout the show, the Latinx contestants are often stereotyped to have “kooky loca” personalities, and are constantly viewed in this manner by the judges and audience. Additionally, since the first season of the show in 2009, the contestants have become increasingly more white. In season one, 33% of the contestants were Latinx, compared to 2015 when there were only 7% Latinx contestants. However, some of these contestants take the opportunity they have been given and run with it, aiming to make the public that much more aware of Latinx culture. Valentina, a Mexican contestant from the ninth season, stated, “I want people to know that in Latino culture, we’re not just your gardener, we’re not just your housekeeper and we’re not just the butt of your joke”.

Internet

Cooking with Drag Queens

Cooking with Drag Queens is a cooking show web series created by Fausto Fernos and Marc Felion, who host the LGBTQ podcast, Feast of Fun. Each episode teaches the viewers a new recipe and features a Latinx drag queen as its special guest. The show is currently raising money for its third season. The web series combines Latinx culture and food with the LGBTQ community. The creators of the series chose to make it a cooking show because of the power food has to bring people together. They wanted to create a series that would present Latinx drag, something that much of the public has seen very little of, in a familiar manner.

Film

Paris is Burning

Paris is Burning is a documentary film made in 1990 in which the intersection of Latino and LGBTQ communities can be found. It was directed by Jennie Livingston and documents the ball culture in New York City during this time. It interviews Latinx Drag Queens including Angie Xtravaganza, who founded New York’s first major Latinx House in the ball scene.

Other

Ladies and Gentleman

In 1975, artist Andy Warhol created a series of 10 screenprints entitled Ladies and Gentleman. Warhol created these screenprints of several black and hispanic drag queens who were from The Gilded Grape, a NYC nightclub. Warhol ensured the maintenance of the ambiguity of the subject’s gender in the screenprint, and also made sure to emphasize the subjects eccentricity through the use of bright and vivid colors.

Miss Hispanidad Drag Contest

On August 25th, 2017, in Durham, North Carolina, a Latino Drag pageant was held. The event raised money for LGBTQ support groups in the area. The competitors competed in several areas, including creativity, evening wear, and a question and answer section. Creators of the event explained that they believed it to be a very powerful and relevant event considering the transgender bathroom bill passed in March of 2016 within the state of North Carolina. The participants in the event saw it as a manner in which to stand up for their rights when their government had taken some of them away the year before.

Universo Latina USA

The organization Universo Latina USA puts on beauty pageants throughout the country for Latinos to crown them as Miss Universo Latina USA. They judge and award the drag queens points for talent, evening gown, interview, and other categories. They have a Miss Jacksonville, Miss Orlando, Miss Puerto Rico, Miss República Dominicana and Mir & Miss Evolution.

Latinx Drag Queens in TV/music/other media

Drag queens of Latinx origin have appeared on various television shows both in Latin America and the United States:

• Dreuxilla Divine - Puerto Rican Television series: "Sacando Chispas"
• The Fabulous Wonder Twins - Salvadoran fraternal twins who have appeared in various music videos, TV shows, fashion shows, and club appearances
• Cynthia Lee Fontaine - In addition to RuPaul's Drag Race, has appeared on the LGBTQ Web Series, Hey Qween!
• Jessica Wild - In addition to RuPaul's Drag Race, performed live with Miley Cyrus on the MTV VMAS
• Pabllo Vittar - Famous due to her music video "Open Bar," a Portuguese version of the American song, "Lean On" by Major Lazer

Notes

This article "Latinx Drag Queens in the United States" is from Wikipedia. The list of its authors can be seen in its historical and/or the page Edithistory:Latinx Drag Queens in the United States. Articles copied from Draft Namespace on Wikipedia could be seen on the Draft Namespace of Wikipedia and not main one.

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