Angie Xtravaganza: A Trailblazer for Transgender People of Color

photo from a screengrab from the documentary film Paris is Burning showing Angie Xtravaganza

Angie Xtravaganza, an iconic figure in the LGBTQ+ community, was a strong voice for transgender rights, a significant promoter of the queer ballroom culture, and a prominent representation of Latinx individuals within the queer community. Her life story, though marked by personal challenges, continues to inspire countless individuals worldwide, transcending generations and communities alike.


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.

Angie XtravaganzaImage 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: https://granvarones.com/hector-valle-xtravaganza/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.

a woman giving the side eye to a man

Have you ever met someone who seems overly confident, self-centered, or even downright rude? Maybe they constantly talk about themselves, disregard your feelings, or even manipulate situations to their advantage. And, if you're anything like us and countless other Latinas, you might've thought, is this person just a purebred a**hole, or are they a narcissist?

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Image by Sayuri Jimenez.

Nathalie Molina Niño has never been one to shy away from breaking barriers, and now, she’s focusing her attention on a new mission: demystifying corporate boardrooms for women, especially Latinas. Molina Niño is the President of Known, an asset management and financial services firm, a veteran tech entrepreneur and builder capitalist, and a board member at the iconic lingerie Brand, Hanky Panky, and others.

Like many corporate boards, Hanky Panky hadn’t publicly disclosed its board composition until recently. After the brand survived the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, Molina Niño decided it was time for more women, specifically more Latinas, to know what it means to be on corporate boards.

Coincidentally, the decision to finally be more vocal about this topic aligned with the start of Hispanic Heritage Month, which served as the perfect kick-off to the work.

"Something that rarely gets talked about and I think almost gets kept opaque by design is boards,” she explains in a recent Instagram announcement. “[This Latinx Heritage Month], that’s what I’ll be talking about.” Her goal? To equip more Latinas with the knowledge they need to navigate onto for-profit boards, where they can thrive and build multi-generational wealth.

For-profit corporate boards often feel like an exclusive club. And in many ways, they are, especially for Latinas, who hold the smallest percentage of board seats in Fortune 500 companies compared to other racial groups. According to the latest report from Latino Board Monitor, while Latinos hold 4.1% of these board seats (compared to 82.5% held by white people), only 1% go to Latinas. Molina Niño, a first-generation American of Ecuadorian and Colombian descent, is part of this boardroom minority.

When asked about her experience as a Latina board member during a recent Zoom interview, she said, “It’s been lonely. There’s not a lot of Latinas on boards.” She went on to explain that even serving on boards of Latina-founded businesses gets lonely because, “A lot of the times, people who serve on their boards represent their investors and, as a result, [...] you still don’t see a lot of Latinas on those boards.”

This lack of representation drives Molina Niño’s determination to increase Latina presence in corporate boardrooms. By sharing her insights, she hopes to give Latinas a roadmap to claim their seats at the table. “If you don’t know where to go, it’s impossible to figure out how to get there,” she says.

The Road to the Boardroom

Getting onto a for-profit corporate board isn’t an overnight achievement, but it’s not an unattainable dream either. People often think you need to be a CEO or have a certain type of background, but that’s one of the biggest myths about boards in Molina Niño’s experience. What they’re really looking for is expertise — whether that’s in finance, marketing, sustainability, or even technology. If you have that expertise, you’re already an asset. It’s simply a matter of which road you should take.

Understanding what boards are and how they operate is key to unlocking opportunities. For-profit boards serve as the governing body for companies, overseeing direction and financial stability, and guiding CEOs and executives in decision-making. But Molina Niño emphasizes that not all for-profit boards are created equal.

“There are two kinds [of for-profit boards] [...]. There’s the publicly traded business board and then, on the privately held side, there are, I would argue, two types of boards [...] the traditional business board and the venture-backed business board,” explains Molina Niño. Traditional businesses are often family-owned or long-established and may only form boards to meet requirements, like securing financing or transitioning through an ESOP. Venture-backed boards, on the other hand, are typically filled by investors who hold major stakes in the company.

According to Molina Niño, understanding the difference between them is how you can create a successful strategy. With publicly traded business boards, the whole world is privy to them, so, “The way that you get in there is a little bit more transparent. Sometimes those publicly traded companies will hire a recruiter to help them find new board members,” explains Molina Niño. For private companies, on the other hand, there’s no legal requirement to make announcements. As a result, most people don’t know anything about them or their inner workings.

“Usually what happens in traditional businesses that don’t have venture-capital investments is that the Founders, Executives, or the board members, if one existed already, they usually go to their friends,” and people they deem experienced to fill board seats. In other words, it’s the founder’s decision, and that’s an entirely different approach than hiring recruiters. When it comes to venture-backed business boards, the seats on the board are filled by whichever investor writes the biggest check.

This is why an understanding of the different types of boards and acknowledgment of their own strengths is what will help Latinas define a sound strategy. Whether that’s working with a recruiter, networking and connecting with founders to build trust, or making the biggest investment.

The Path for Latinas

For Molina Niño, the key to getting more Latinas into corporate boardrooms is education. Knowing what a board looks like and how it functions is how you can position yourself to get on it. In openly talking about this, without the mystique it’s usually shrouded in, Molina Niño is providing women, especially Latinas, with invaluable insights. “If we had Latinas understanding what are the three types of for-profit boards I think that, on their own, they would be able to figure out what their best chance is and adjust their careers to make themselves more competitive,” states Molina Niño.

When asked about the impact of increased Latina representation in boardrooms, Molina Niño flips the narrative. “Boards don’t help Latinas by offering them seats; Latinas help businesses thrive by being on their boards,” she says. “The whole point of sitting on a board is that you have experience and expertise, and as Latinas, you also have some cultural experience that everyone wants. [...] At the end of the day, we [Latinas] have to realize that we have a ton to offer and we have to be selective about where we put that expertise,” she explains.

As demand for access to the Latina consumer rises, Molina Niño predicts that more Latinas will find themselves recruited into boardrooms. But she’s not content to sit back and wait for that moment. By openly sharing her journey and insights, she’s making sure other Latinas know their worth and have the tools to claim their place at the table. “I realized that quietly being on boards that helped me personally is not helping other Latinas. [...] I was lucky enough to have friends who could advise me and share their experiences, so that’s why I’m doing this,” she stated.

With Hispanic Heritage Month as the backdrop, Nathalie Molina Niño’s mission is clear: “My goal is just to give Latinas enough information so they can make a plan for how to eventually get on a board that they’re paid to be on and that will eventually help them build generational wealth.”

flags of latin american countries fly behind performers wearing culturally traditional clothing

Ever noticed how September in Latin America is just one big celebration? As we wave goodbye to summer and avoid winter as long as we can, the streets come alive with parades, music, and festivities. Many Latin American countries celebrate their freedom this month, commemorating their hard-fought battles for independence from colonial domination. Let’s dive into these significant days and understand what makes each unique.

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