The Center’s 2nd Annual Queerceañera event is a dedicated spotlight on LA’s queer Latinx experience.
LOS ANGELES, October 7— Over the weekend, the Los Angeles LGBT Center hosted its second annual Queerceañera, spotlighting LA’s queer Latinx community and offering a gender and expression-inclusive reimagining of the quinceañera tradition.
Presided over by RuPaul’s Drag Race alum Salina EsTitties as the inaugural Madrina (“godmother” in Spanish) of Ceremonies, the event recognized the richly diverse representation of the LGBTQ+ Latinx community of Los Angeles in honor of Latinx Heritage Month.
“Quinceañeras have origins dating back to strict, heteronormative—and often religious—binaries, but tonight we’re making it loud, queer, fabulous, and community-focused,” EsTitties said on stage. “This is a cotillion for everyone who always wanted one but—for whatever phobic reason—couldn’t have one.”
Drag superstar Kandy Muse was honored at the event, which was organized to benefit Mi Centro, a sanctuary for Latinx LGBTQ+ individuals in Boyle Heights and surrounding eastside communities formed in partnership between the Los Angeles LGBT Center and Latino Equality Alliance.
“In the last year, as our physical space and capacity has expanded at Mi Centro, we have become a sanctuary for communities, locally and internationally,” said Mi Centro program manager Caín Andrade. “Mi Centro has become a first stop for our international, asylum seeking LGBTQIA+ community members not just from Latin America but also folks from Russia, Ukraine, Senegal, and Nigeria have come through our doors seeking support and services.”
“It is such an honor to be a part of an incredible event like this—like Trans Pride, like Highly Favored,” said Catherina Dávila, Head of Community and Marketing, Angel City FC. “It is a privilege to put our name alongside all of the work that the Los Angeles LGBT Center does for the community. So thank you all for being here tonight and for creating something that we want to be a part of.”
Below, find highlights from the keynote conversation between honorees Kandy Muse and Salina EsTitties for consideration:
Salina EsTitties on representing her community on television:
“I felt pressured to represent LA as much as I could on Drag Race, but what I’m learning today is that I’m representing myself and my experience as a Latino. Because Latinos are so varied and different. We’re similar, but also not. I’m Central American, not Mexican, and I got a lot of hate on Drag Race from other Latinos for not being Latino enough. So I felt this chip on my shoulder to represent. But what I’m learning today is that I’m representing me, baby, so I gotta know me in order to do that.”
Kandy Muse on finding chosen family:
“I don’t think that you need to be blood related to feel that someone is your brother, your sister, your mother, or whatever you want to call them. Being gay, there’s no guidebook telling you how to live your life—especially if you come from a family that doesn’t support you, you’re just out in the world by yourself. But nightlife is where I found a lot of my chosen family, and it’s where I continue to find them … I always say this: If you haven’t found yours yet, you will find your tribe. You just have to be out there with an open mind, and they’ll come to you.”
Salina EsTitties on her sobriety journey:
“I was running the muck out here in these streets at 17, 18, 19 years old, and it was the Center who was there for me. I didn’t know anything about HIV care or testing or AIDS. I was very ignorant. I started doing drugs, and I was homeless at a point. There was a provider at the Center who woke me up [to realize] maybe I have a problem. And I got sober when I was 21 years old. I didn’t know I was going to be a drag queen. I didn’t know where my life was headed, but here I am accepting an award at the Center, being recognized by the people who saved my life and continue to save lives every day.”
The night closed with an after party in the courtyard at The Village at Ed Gould Plaza, offering cocktails and a special court dance with LA-nightlife-favorite Queerchata.
The Presenting Sponsor of Queerce is Angel City Football Club. Official Sponsors are women-owned, Curvy Couture and Waymo.
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About the Los Angeles LGBT Center
Since 1969 the Los Angeles LGBT Center has cared for, championed, and celebrated LGBT individuals and families in Los Angeles and beyond. Today the Center’s nearly 800 employees provide services for more LGBT people than any other organization in the world, offering programs, services, and global advocacy that span four broad categories: Health, Social Services and Housing, Culture and Education, Leadership and Advocacy. We are an unstoppable force in the fight against bigotry and the struggle to build a better world; a world in which LGBT people thrive as healthy, equal, and complete members of society. Learn more at lalgbtcenter.org.
