In The Community
At Luz, we champion these less-explored narratives and unheard voices. Today, we present a handpicked list of films that fuse queer narratives with Latine creativity, spanning stirring coming-of-age stories to compelling dramas, all poised to inspire, move, and provoke thought.
Mosquita y Mari (2012)
Image Credit: IMDB
Directed by the gifted Aurora Guerrero, "Mosquita y Mari" is a coming-of-age tale that brings to life the complexities of adolescence, identity, and blossoming queer romance. The film's protagonists, Yolanda, an excellent student, and Mari, a rebellious newcomer, meet as high school friends in their Huntington Park neighborhood in Los Angeles. Their relationship evolves, subtly and authentically, eventually challenging their traditional expectations of friendship and compelling them to reflect on their ambitions and dreams.
A Fantastic Woman (2017)
Image Credit: IMDB
Directed by Sebastián Lelio, "A Fantastic Woman" is a Chilean film that tells the story of Marina, a transgender woman who faces prejudice and discrimination after her partner's death. The film is notable for its delicate handling of transgender identity and for its lead, Daniela Vega, a trans woman, adding authenticity and depth to the character. The movie won an Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film, reinforcing its critical and cultural significance.
The Garden Left Behind (2019)
Image Credit: IMDB
"The Garden Left Behind" is a sensitive and thought-provoking film directed by Flavio Alves. This independent film centers around Tina, a young, undocumented Mexican trans woman, as she navigates her daily life in New York City. As Tina struggles with societal acceptance and battles the bureaucracy of healthcare, she finds strength in her community and her relationship with her grandmother. "The Garden Left Behind" provides a rare look into the lives of undocumented, transgender, and immigrant communities, offering a nuanced depiction of resilience and identity.
Sand Dollars (2014)
Image Credit: IMDB
Co-directed by Laura Amelia Guzmán and Israel Cárdenas, "Sand Dollars" is a nuanced drama exploring a transactional queer relationship. The film focuses on Noeli, a young Dominican woman and tourist escort, involved in a complex relationship with an older French woman, Anne. Amidst the power dynamics and emotional complexities, Noeli plans to use Anne to secure a visa to reunite with her mother in Barcelona. Based on Jean-Noel Pancrazi's novel, the film stands as a unique addition to queer, Latine cinema with its impending sequel, "Noelí Overseas".
XXY (2007)
Image Credit: IMDB
Directed by Argentine author, screenwriter, and film director Lucía Puenzo, “XXY” explores the rarely depicted life of an intersex teenager. Inés Efron stars as Alex, a 15-year-old intersex person living in Uruguay as a girl, suppressing her masculine features with medication. As Alex navigates the complexities of her identity amidst societal pressures and her mother's desire for her to get sex reassignment surgery, she starts a relationship with the son of a visiting surgeon. The film is a poignant critique of the need to conform to social norms and how parents’ need to define their children by a specific gender can be more harmful than supportive. These topics are still relevant today. This wouldn’t be the last time Puenzo explores queer experiences through her work, which brings us to…
The Fish Child (2009)
Image Credit: IMDB
In “The Fish Child,” Lucía Puenzo continues her exploration of queer themes with a thrilling narrative. The film stars Inés Efron as Lala, a wealthy girl who gets involved in a murder that threatens to incriminate her and her girlfriend, Ailin. As they plan to escape to Paraguay, their journey becomes a tense fight against societal injustices and personal secrets. Combining film noir with magical realism, “The Fish Child” touches on themes like class, abuse, and misogyny, with a focus on the resilience of the lesbian couple at the center of it.
Extra-Terrestrials (2016)
Image Credit: IMDB
Puerto Rican director and screenwriter Carla Cavina's “Extra-Terrestrials” is a sci-fi dramedy featuring one of the first same-sex couples in Puerto Rican cinema. Teresa, played by Marisé Álvarez, returns home to Puerto Rico with her partner Daniela, aiming to reveal her sexuality to her family. The film dives into the secrets and complexities within Teresa's family, highlighting the universal struggle for acceptance and connection that many LGBTQ+ people go through, especially within Latino culture.
Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe (2023)
Image Credit: IMDB
Directed by Cuban Aitch Alberto, “Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe” is a touching coming-of-age story set in 1987 in El Paso, Texas. The film follows two Latino boys, Aristotle and Dante, as they explore their feelings for each other amidst societal and internalized homophobia. Alberto did a wonderful job at capturing the tender, profound emotions of self-discovery and the challenges of being Latine and queer in the 1980s.
In the shared language of emotion and empathy, cinema has the power to unite diverse experiences. These films represent an important segment of queer, Latine-directed cinema, each offering a unique lens into the realities of queer lives within the Latine context. As the world of cinema grows more inclusive and diverse, we look forward to more such narratives that continue to break barriers and celebrate the diversity of the human experience.
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.
- Gloria Anzaldúa: Trailblazer for the Queer Movement ›
- This Coach Decided She’d Had Enough: The Queer Gym Story ›
- Gloria Anzaldúa: Trailblazer in Queer & Chicano Movements - Luz Media ›
As Anzaldúa navigated through her youth, she sought solace in education. She walked the corridors of Pan American University, feeding her hungry mind, before furthering her studies in English and Education at the University of Texas. Armed with her master's degree, Anzaldúa ventured into the academic world, leaving her mark on institutions like San Francisco State University, the University of California, and Florida Atlantic University.
Anzaldúa’s voice was destined to echo beyond lecture halls. As a Chicano theorist and writer, she dared to dismantle traditional constructs and shine a light on the intersectionality of Chicano culture, queerness, and feminism. The world took notice in 1987 when she birthed her seminal work, "Borderlands/La Frontera: The New Mestiza." It was more than just a book; it was a vibrant tapestry of her experiences woven intricately with theories on marginalized identities.
In this groundbreaking work, she spoke of "borderlands," an intricate dance between the physical—the US-Mexico border—and the metaphorical—a space for those balancing on the tightrope of varying cultures, genders, and identities. She breathed life into the concept of "mestiza consciousness," inviting Chicanos and others to embrace their multifaceted identities, thus creating something beautiful and new from the conflict of cultures.
Her influence didn't stop there. As an openly lesbian woman, she brought forth the unheard stories of queerness within the intersection of race and ethnicity. Her writing was a testament to the struggles she faced, the prejudices she overcame, and the indomitable spirit that refused to be silenced. It was in these words that she challenged not only American society but also her Chicano community to confront their biases.
Her voice amplified others. Alongside feminist scholar Cherríe Moraga, Anzaldúa co-curated "This Bridge Called My Back: Writings by Radical Women of Color." This anthology was a sanctuary for essays, criticism, poetry, and visual art by women of color. Serving as a cornerstone of the Third Wave Feminism movement, it succeeded in spotlighting the voices of queer women of color.
The end of Anzaldúa’s life came in 2004, but her influence was far from over. She left behind a treasure trove of scholarly work and activism that continues to resonate in academic and social spheres. Her ideas about mestiza consciousness and intersectional identities have woven themselves into the fabric of identity politics and cultural hybridity.
In the end, Gloria Anzaldúa was more than a scholar or activist. She was a revolutionary, a transformative force that sent ripples through the Chicano and queer movements. She fearlessly highlighted the interplay of various forms of marginalization and urged everyone to embrace their unique identities. Her life's story serves as an enduring testament to a more comprehensive understanding of intersectionality, fostering greater inclusivity and acceptance within and beyond the communities she represented. And so, her legacy lives on.
