Over the weekend, the Los Angeles LGBT Center hosted its second annual Queerceañera, spotlighting LA’s queer Latinx community and offering a gender and expression-inclusive reimagining of the Quinceañera tradition.
Presided over by RuPaul’s Drag Race alum Salina EsTitties as the inaugural Madrina (“godmother” in Spanish) of Ceremonies, the event recognized the richly diverse representation of the LGBTQ+ Latinx community of Los Angeles in honor of Latinx Heritage Month.
“Quinceañeras have origins dating back to strict, heteronormative—and often religious—binaries, but tonight we’re making it loud, queer, fabulous, and community-focused,” EsTitties said on stage. “This is a cotillion for everyone who always wanted one but—for whatever phobic reason—couldn’t have one.”
Drag superstar Kandy Muse was honored at the event, which was organized to benefit Mi Centro, a sanctuary for Latinx LGBTQ+ individuals in Boyle Heights and surrounding eastside communities formed in partnership between the Los Angeles LGBT Center and Latino Equality Alliance.
“In the last year, as our physical space and capacity has expanded at Mi Centro, we have become a sanctuary for communities, locally and internationally,” said Mi Centro program manager Caín Andrade. “Mi Centro has become a first stop for our international, asylum seeking LGBTQIA+ community members not just from Latin America but also folks from Russia, Ukraine, Senegal, and Nigeria have come through our doors seeking support and services.”
“It is such an honor to be a part of an incredible event like this—like Trans Pride, like Highly Favored,” said Catherina Dávila, Head of Community and Marketing, Angel City FC. “It is a privilege to put our name alongside all of the work that the Los Angeles LGBT Center does for the community. So thank you all for being here tonight and for creating something that we want to be a part of.”
