Dear Pride Family,
This month, we’re focusing on Latine LGBTQ+ Pride and the importance of celebrating the unique experiences and identities within the community. Let’s take a moment to appreciate the diverse cultures and individuals that contribute to the rich tapestry of our society.
By recognizing Latine LGBTQ+ Pride, we acknowledge the intersectional challenges faced by Latine LGBTQ+ individuals and the resilience they demonstrate in the face of adversity. This is an opportunity to learn from one another, foster empathy, and become better allies, but also an invitation to celebrate our diverse and rich latine, chicanx, and afrolatine cultures.
By acknowledging and celebrating Latine LGBTQ+ Pride in this region, we can foster a greater understanding of the unique challenges faced by these individuals while also recognizing the resilience and strength of the community. This celebration is not only a way to support those within the LGBTQ+ community but also a means to promote cross-cultural dialogue and understanding in a region where identities are constantly in flux.
This year, San Diego’s Latine Pride will take place on Saturday, September 21, from 12 to 6 pm at our exciting new venue, The Soap Factory! We’re thrilled to host our celebration at this special location, which holds a significant place within our Latine community. The Soap Factory has played host to a diverse range of celebrations and important events, and we’re honored to add Latine Pride to its rich history.
With a larger, more beautiful venue, we have plenty of room for everyone to come together and revel in our shared identities and experiences. This will be a space of community, joy, and celebration as we honor who we are and the diverse cultures that bring us together. Join us for a day filled with love, laughter, and unity as we commemorate San Diego’s Latine LGBTQ+ Pride!
Our collaborations with different LGBTQ+ community groups, vendors and performers is key to building community and unifying what sometimes can feel as isolated. Colectivo Viva Vivo is a group that has done so much for our LGBTQ+ latine community, they are an inclusive and diverse collective, focusing primarily on migrant populations, people living with HIV+, and high-risk transgender/non-binary communities.
We are also excited to have Lady Blanca as one of our hosts, she has a history of being present and vibrant within the community and making sure there is representation throughout our regional Latine community. Along with DJ Betty Bangs a queer Chicana artist from San Diego whose work celebrates body positivity, her lifestyle, and rich cultura. Betty is also a member of the Chicano Park Steering Committee and the San Diego Art of Pride Committee and brings all of herself with her music and spins, she’ll get everyone dancing and enjoying themselves.
There is so much to say on this celebration and the intersection of many of our identities that come together, a couple of our very own SD Pride staff have shared what this celebration means for them.
“Latine Pride is important because for so long, our communities have struggled with their pre-colonial past and how colonization has instilled a rampant homo and transphobia. Prior to colonization, our communities understood that LGBTQIA+ identities are a fundamental part of our communities. However, through religious expansion and westernization, ideas of Machismo and queerphobia took hold. We hold this hand in hand with perceptions that communities of color are inherently more queerphobic than their white and non-hispanic counterparts. Latine Pride spits in the face of such a notion and reminds us that Pride is not just for all of us, but it is made better when we bring our whole selves into Pride.” – Esmé (they/she) – Organizing & Outreach Coordinator
“From the Chicanos and Chilangos to the Boricuas, and across the entire Latin American diaspora, we are Latine first. An inalienable piece of our identity that adds to and compliments our queerness, not detracts from it. Being Latine and Cuir in predominantly white spaces is frustrating at times. While Latine identity is multifaceted and complicated, we are united by experiences of marginalization by both cisgender heterosexual and transgender and queer identities.” – Johnny (he/him) – Director of Finance & Operations
Latine LGBTQ+ individuals face a myriad of unique challenges that stem from the intersection of their Latine heritage and LGBTQ+ identities. One major obstacle is overcoming the prejudice that persists in many parts of society, which often makes it difficult for them to gain respect and express their individuality freely.
To better support and advocate for this community, we must actively work to amplify the voices and accomplishments of Latine LGBTQ+ individuals. By highlighting their achievements and contributions to our society, we can foster a greater understanding and appreciation for the value they bring to our diverse world. This will help to create a more inclusive and supportive environment for Latine LGBTQ+ people, as well as encourage open dialogue and allyship within our communities.
Personally, a child and teenager, I struggled to find a place where I could fully embrace and celebrate all aspects of my identity. That’s why I’m so excited about this celebration, where I can be surrounded by people who understand and share my experiences.
Together, we’ll revel in our shared heritage, the rhythms of our music, the flavors of our food, and the connections we form with individuals who make our community so vibrant and dynamic.
Please join me in celebrating the rich tapestry of our identities and the joy that comes from being fully embraced and understood!
In Pride,
Liliana Hueso (she/they/ella) Bilingual Programs Manager
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