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MAY 21. 2010
WWW JUSTOUT COM
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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
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Sat 1 la m to 5pm
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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.”