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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (May 21, 2010)
|¡] 18 MAY 21. 2010 WWW JUSTOUT COM \ PDX Latino Go/ Pride celebrates youth, literature ind La Lucha in 2010 COVERAGE BY RYAN J. PRADO Like all big ideas, Portland’s Latino Gay which will feature acclaimed New York City- school that excludes us,” continued Vázquez. Pride celebration started small. Through a based, Puerto Rican-born radical Latino “No one can tell our history more accurately commitment forged by co-founders David writer and activist Charles Rice-González, and honestly than we can.” Martinez and Melanie Davis following Port along with Portland expatriate, novelist and Martinez echoed those sentiments, stem land Pride 2004, the pair sought to establish spoken-word poet Charlie Vazquez. Both ming from his own desire for literature that an evolving annual celebration Rice-González and Vázquez would speak to him as a gay Latino. of the LGBTQ_Latino popu have thrived within New York “When I was coming out, what I did was lation, with a promise to meet City’s Nuyorican arts scene. try to learn about my community,” said Mar the needs of their community Their talents have helped tinez. “A lot o f the gay literature didn’t reflect as it grew. Just five years after spotlight queer Latino writers me. Part of [presenting this event] is we want the first Latino Gay Pride who have for too long lived in ed to make people aware that there are some festival— a mid-week evening the shadows of mainstream authors that are Latino and queer. If anything, event dubbed Noche de Familia Latino and American cultural we thought there was a lack o f information y Mariposas —grounded the movements. that this type of literature is out there.” Latino gay community in a The literary angle begins The commitment to family and the passing more public forum, the festivities have become Thursday, June 3, with an event at Aura Res on o f support, leadership and education to gay the largest freestanding Latino Gay Pride taurant and Lounge. Rice-González will read Latino youth has remained a paramount goal of event in the United States. from his new novel Chulito — a coming-of-age the event’s planning committee and board. To “When you get strong leaders and encour tale about a young, hip-hop loving Latino com that effect, the free Youth Voices event debuts age the community itself to be involved and to ing out in the South Bronx. Vázquez will read this year, joining established Latino Gay Pride take ownership, the more positive results you from his new tome, C ontrabands Revolution events such as Chicas Who Brunch— also get,” explained Davis of the scope o f La Lucha o f the Soul , about a secret government worker June 5— as well as the previous day’s La Lucha 2010, which takes place June 2-6 at various who escapes to tunnel communities during a Dance Party at Boxxes. The Queerzone group locations throughout the city. bloody revolution in the United States. at Outside In has been brought in as partner With each passing year, the struggles of L a and leader o f the event, along Portland writers Jimmy Radosta and Karol tinos across the country continues, as national Collymore will join with readings o f their own, with PSU student groups issues concerning immigration, same-sex mar with emcee duties handled by fellow scribe M .E.Ch.A. and Las Mujeres. riage and even surmounting stereotypes have Stephen Marc Beaudoin. Vázquez hopes to Kicking ofFLa Lucha 2010 mobilized further community organization. In promote the canon of queer Latino literature again this year is “ Voz A lta” or keeping with the theme of Latino Gay Pride to others in the community. “Loud Voice,” conceptualized 2009, this year’s five-day festival centers on “Many people think o f readings and litera by Portland Latino musician “la lucha” or “the struggle.” Martinez related ture and poetry as dull and boring, and noth and actor Joaquin López. This that the ongoing premise o f strife within the ing could be more untrue,” explained Vázquez, all-ages event will feature an gay Latino community is something that can who will also take part in an event called “ Voces intimate performance o f mu be built upon year after year, which explains de Jovenes ,” or “Youth Voices,” along with sic and words from López and fellow singer 2010’s evolution into the tag “la lucha conti Rice-González on June 5 at Portland State Edna Vazquez on Wednesday, June 2 at the n u al ox “the struggle continues.” University. Rice-González and Vázquez will Miracle Theatre. Sandwiched in the middle “We realized there was a lot more we could also appear at a separate book reading and of the schedule is an encore o f the popular do with it,” said Martinez. “It’s sort of a fun signing Friday, June 4 at PSU. Miracle production American Sueño , which play with wrestling, and the whole lucha libre , “There are scores o f queer Latino writers debuted during the Fertile Ground Festival in but then it’s a real recognition of the fact that documenting our presence and history and it’s January. our community continues to struggle.” crucial that, as queer Latinos, we read and en Capping off the five-day festivities is the One big change to La Lucha 2010 is the lighten ourselves to our own history, as well as official La Lucha 2010 Festival, taking place at addition o f the festival’s first literary events, the overall American history we are taught in the Jupiter Hotel and featuring the new Reina Maloy's jewelry Workshop M -F 10am to 5 :3 0 p m Proud supporters of happily ever after. Sat 1 la m to 5pm 717 SW 10th Ave P ortlan d , O R 9 7 2 0 5 5 0 3 .2 2 3 .4 7 2 0 www.maloys.com Maloy’s offers a fabulous selection o f antique and estate jewelry and fine custom jewelry, as well as restoration and repair services. de la Lucha competition. With assistance from sponsor Verizon Wireless, audience members will have the opportunity to text-vote for their favorite “ reina ,” or “queen.” Sashaying down the runway during this event will be legendary drag performer and former Latino Gay Pride emcee Meesha Peru, along with Tryniti LaC- roix, Adrienne Alexander and Vivica Valentine in a “Lip Sync for your Vote” free-for-all. As it five days of literature, runway drag, dancing, libre masks, theater and incredible food weren’t enough, La Lucha 2010 will again recognize Portland leaders whose vision, activism, creativity and community involve ment have set them apart. The recipients of the 2010 Mariposa Awards include Bradley Angle House’s Lupita Mendez; Cascade A ID S Proj ect’s Maricela Berumen; Salvador Candela, volunteer with new gay Latino group SO- M O S (more information on p. 45); the afore mentioned Ms. Peru (ne Carlos Quezada); grassroots multicultural organization Umatilla Morrow Alternatives; and Witham Sc Dickey printing service. Honorees will be recognized throughout the festival but will receive their awards at Chicas Who Brunch. La Lucha 2010 may be the most involved Latino Gay Pride moun^d to date, but it’s far from the celebration’s peak, according to the event’s found ers. In fact, it’s most likely still only the beginning. “I see us continuing to strengthen,” said Martinez. “I see us continuing to increase in visibility and build with these new leaders we have, and have them carry it forward.” “I go to a committee meeting and really get tears in my eyes because it’s everything that [Martinez] and I committed to each other and promised the community it would be,” said Davis. “Everything that we visualized has become a reality.”
