Bethany Mota (@bethanynoelm)
Angie Xtravaganza was born in New York City in the mid-1960s and grew up in an era of social change. Yet, like many transgender individuals, her childhood and adolescence were marked by a struggle with gender identity. She found herself living in a society that couldn't comprehend her feelings, but despite the adversities, her resilience shone through as she sought acceptance and respect for who she was.
Angie Xtravaganzawww.youtube.com
It was in the ballroom scene that Angie found her voice and her family. Originating in New York City, the ballroom culture provided a safe haven for LGBTQ+ individuals, particularly those of color, who were ostracized from their homes and communities. Here, Angie found the House of Xtravaganza, one of the most famous "houses" or alternative families in the ballroom community. Angie quickly rose in the ranks to become the "Mother" of the House of Xtravaganza, the first Latina to hold such a position.
As "Mother" Xtravaganza, Angie led by example, setting standards for performance and personal conduct. Her house, under her leadership, went on to win several titles and accolades in the ballroom scene, creating a legacy that stands today. More importantly, Angie's role was that of a surrogate mother to young queer and transgender Latines, providing them with a support system when their own families turned them away.
Image Source: Angie Xtravaganza Facebook PageImage Source: Angie Xtravaganza Facebook Page
Angie's impact, however, extended far beyond the ballroom. She used her growing prominence to address the systemic issues plaguing the LGBTQ+ community, especially those related to queer and transgender people of color. She was instrumental in educating people about HIV/AIDS at a time when the disease was highly stigmatized and misunderstood. Her advocacy efforts were driven by her own experiences, as she saw many of her friends and "children" from the ballroom community succumb to the disease.
She was one of the key subjects in Jennie Livingston's documentary "Paris Is Burning" (1990), which brought the ballroom culture and the struggles of its community members to mainstream attention. Through this documentary, Angie became a visible figure representing transgender women of color, shattering stereotypes and raising awareness about their struggles in a society largely ignorant and indifferent to their reality.
David DePino Xtravaganza, Danni Xtravaganza, Mother Angie Xtravaganza, Jose Disla Xtravaganza in Details magazine October 1988. Source: Hector Valle XtravaganzaSource: https://granvarones.com/hector-valle-xtravaganza/
Angie Xtravaganza passed away in 1993, at the age of 28. Yet, her legacy continues to thrive. The House of Xtravaganza remains one of the most renowned houses in the ballroom community, embodying Angie's ideals of love, acceptance, and resilience.
Angie Xtravaganza was more than just a notable figure in the LGBTQ+ community; she was a trailblazer, an advocate, and a beacon of hope. She exemplified the strength inherent in embracing one's identity and used her platform to uplift others in her community. Her life serves as a powerful reminder of the beauty and resilience of queer culture, particularly in the face of societal stigma and adversity. Today, as we celebrate the achievements and progress of the LGBTQ+ movement, we remember Angie Xtravaganza and the profound impact she had on countless lives.
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Why is Juneteenth Commemorated?
Juneteenth commemorates the date that enslaved Africans were officially freed from slavery in the U.S., but we know that despite that, Africans and descendants of Africans continued to be enslaved, discriminated against, and killed for many years after their official liberation.
How Did Juneteenth Become a Federally Recognized Holiday?
Photo via the National Archives
June 19 marks Juneteenth as the official holiday now, but the official government declaration came through the Emancipation Proclamation made on January 1, 1863, by President Abraham Lincoln. It took more than two years, or June 19, 1865, to be exact, for the Union Army’s Major General Gordon Granger to ride into Galveston, Texas, and declare the enslaved people there to be freed through General Order No. 3. The Order reads as follows:
The people of Texas are informed that, in accordance with a proclamation from the Executive of the United States, all slaves are free. This involves an absolute equality of personal rights and rights of property between former masters and slaves, and the connection heretofore existing between them becomes that between employer and hired labor. The freedmen are advised to remain quietly at their present homes and work for wages. They are informed that they will not be allowed to collect at military posts and that they will not be supported in idleness either there or elsewhere.
Thus, June 19 was chosen as the day to commemorate the event; though Texas has been observing the holiday since 1980, it wasn't until 2021 that it became the first year as an official holiday. Many take the newly minted national holiday to take time to reflect on the harm caused to enslaved people and how we can grow from that, while some have let it take its place as their own independence day, often being referred to as “Emancipation Day” as well.
Juneteenth was met with renewed interest to be observed as a national holiday in 2020 following the murders of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor. Both Floyd and Taylor were victims of police brutality that led to national protesting and widespread social justice activism.
This Juneteenth, take time to acknowledge the lives of humans who were enslaved and learn more about the history of Black Americans. It took 150 years to get here, but there’s certainly a long way to go.
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