Pride Month is one of the most vibrant and exciting times of the year. The entire world lights up as the LGBTQ+ community comes out in full force and unapologetically celebrates who they are. If you want to celebrate Pride Month and also learn something in the process about queer Latino experiences, what better way than by diving into queer Latino media? Whether you’re in the mood for a book, a movie, or a TV show, we got you! Here are 10 must-read, must-watch picks to add to your Pride Month itinerary:
"Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe" by Benjamin Alire Sáenz
Image credit: Editorial Simon & Schuster
This beautifully written coming-of-age novel follows the story of two Mexican-American boys, Aristotle and Dante, as they navigate the challenges of growing up, friendship, and falling in love. “Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe” is a tender exploration of identity, family, and self-acceptance, so it will open your eyes to many aspects of the queer experience. It also has a 2022 movie adaptation directed by Cuban Aitch Alberto that you can watch when you’re done!
"Brief Story from the Green Planet" (2019)
Image credit: IMDB
Speaking of movies, “Brief Story from the Green Planet” is the first one on the list. Directed by Argentine filmmaker Santiago Loza, this is a sci-fi adventure movie that follows Tania, a transgender woman who recently lost her beloved grandmother and is grieving. Soon after this sad news, she accidentally discovers that her grandmother was hosting an alien at her home. With the help of two friends, Tania goes on the journey of returning the alien where it belongs. The characters are vulnerable and resilient, and the movie presents a metaphor that’s for viewers to unravel for themselves.
“Juliet Takes a Breath” by Gabby Rivera
Image credit: Editorial Riverdale Avenue Books
The next book on the list is written by Gabby Rivera and it’s a semi-autobiographical coming-of-age story about a gay Latina from the Bronx. The book follows Juliet as she grapples with her identity and goes on a journey of self-discovery when she interns for a feminist writer she admires. Juliet’s journey in “Juliet Takes a Breath” is a raw portrayal of intersectionality, feminism, and queer identity. It’s an important read not only for queer Latinos but also for people who want to understand queer experiences a bit better.
"Gentefied" (2020-2021)
Image credit: Netflix
If you’re in the mood for binging a good show, “Gentefied” has two seasons you can dive into. This is a dramedy show that follows three Mexican-American cousins in East Los Angeles as they navigate the challenges of gentrification, family, and their own identities. The show includes queer storylines, notably featuring Ana, a queer artist who struggles to balance her passion with her family's expectations. It’s an enjoyable show that will make you laugh but it also delivers important messages about life, family, love, and the Latino experience.
"The Grief Keeper" by Alexandra Villasante
Image credit: Editorial Putnam
Written by Alexandra Villasante of Uruguayan descent, “The Grief Keeper” is a YA novel that follows Marisol, a Salvadoran refugee who agrees to participate in a secret government experiment to keep her sister safe. The experiment consists of becoming a grief keeper, someone who takes another person’s grief into their own body to save a life. It’s a risky experiment, but Marisol didn’t expect that one of the risks would be falling in love. It's a powerful story about trauma, love, queer love, and the lengths we'll go to protect the people we love.
"Vida" (2018-2020)
Image credit: IMDB
“Vida” is a must-watch that will make you feel and also break you a little. Created by Tanya Saracho, a talented Mexican-American actress, playwright, dramaturge, and screenwriter, “Vida” draws inspiration from the short story “Pour Vida” by Richard Villegas Jr. This Starz series is boldly queer with elements of magical realism and it follows the journey of Emma (Mishel Prada) and Lyn (Melissa Barrera) as they return to their Boyle Heights home after their mother's death. Their return forces them to confront their past and how much they’ve changed since they left. At its core, Vida is about peeling back the layers to discover our true selves, making it quite relatable. It only has two seasons, so it's perfect for a good TV show binge session.
“They Both Die at the End” by Adam Silvera
Image credit: Harper Collins Publishers
Written by Adam Silvera of Puerto Rican descent, “They Both Die at the End” is a YA, LGBTQ+ novel that follows Mateo Torrez and Rufus Emeterio as they face their final day on Earth. They don’t want to spend it on their own, so they use an app to search for people to share their last few precious hours alive and they find each other. It’s a groundbreaking story about two Latino gay boys and the power of love, which is very important to highlight in the Latino community as it sometimes struggles with LGBTQ+ acceptance.
"The Firefly" (2015)
Image credit: IMDB
“The Firefly” is known as the first Colombian movie ever made about lesbians. Even though it’s a bit of an oldie, it’s worth a watch. It’s a romance, fantasy, and drama film directed by Colombian director, screenwriter, and producer Ana Maria Hermida. “The Firefly” follows Lucia who has been married to a banker for 4 years but she’s just not happy. One day, she gets the news that her estranged brother died in a car accident on his wedding day. Lucia visits her brother’s grieving fiancée, Mariana, and they strike up an unexpected bond that soon turns romantic. Will she continue in a loveless marriage or be with Mariana? It’s quite an exploration of grief, coming to terms with one’s identity, and love.
“Loving in the War Years” by Cherrie Moraga
Image credit: South End Press
Cherrie Moraga is a Chicana writer, feminist, and activist who published “Loving in the War Years” in 1983, a time when gay Chicano identities were being censored. It’s a classic Chicano feminist work that explores themes like Chicano identity, white-passing privilege, LGBTQ+ identity and unapologetically embracing it, feminism, and solidarity with women of color. It’s a classic for a reason and it has been a validating read for countless Chicanos since its publication.
"Love, Victor" (2020-2022)
Image credit: IMDB
Last but not least, “Love, Victor” is a teen comedy-drama inspired and set in the same world as “Love, Simon,” the 2018 movie. “Love, Victor” follows Victor, a teen of Puerto Rican and Colombian descent who’s struggling with his sexual orientation. While “Love, Simon” deals with the struggles of coming out to others when you’re not ready, “Love, Victor” deals with coming to terms with your sexuality and navigating the challenging aspects of that. It has 3 seasons you can binge and you’ll definitely enjoy Simon’s journey.
