Finding Sequins in the Rubble:
Archives of Jotería Memories in Los Angeles
August 24, 2023–February 18, 2024
Archives of Jotería Memories in Los Angeles
August 24, 2023–February 18, 2024
Finding Sequins in the Rubble curated by Eddy F. Alvarez Jr., PhD, is a metaphor for how members of the jotería community in Los Angeles find joy, love, and healing in the midst of discrimination, rejection, and violence that they may experience.
The sequins can be the joyous moments of celebration among familia, healing after years of childhood trauma, a first queer kiss, the euphoria of performing in drag, or a life-altering top surgery. The sequins can also be actual sequins, like the many strung along the walls of this museum: shiny, glittering, and illuminating. Sequins—whether as adornment on the outfits of clubgoers of the historic Arena nightclub, or in the dress and fabric shops along the callejones only minutes away from here—are aesthetic choices, but are also portals into possibility and self-empowerment.
The rubble can be a historical metaphor for the violence and trauma caused by colonization, the theft of Tongva land, the imposition of binary gender systems, and anti-blackness, or it can be an intimate metaphor for heartache and feelings of isolation caused by generational and intrapersonal wounds. It can be the metaphorical debris from the loss of so many to the AIDS epidemic and most recently COVID. The rubble may also be literal—physical debris left after catastrophic events like earthquakes and fires common in southern California, or in the aftermath of uprisings caused by racial injustice.
The images, maps, quotes, and artifacts found within this exhibition are like sequins shining brightly to reveal the wisdom, beauty, joy, and sacredness, past and present, found within the jotería community in Los Angeles. As you visit this exhibition, think of every name, image, artifact, location, memory, and sound you experience as a sequin that forms part of a larger tapestry that celebrates jotería life in the city.
The sequins can be the joyous moments of celebration among familia, healing after years of childhood trauma, a first queer kiss, the euphoria of performing in drag, or a life-altering top surgery. The sequins can also be actual sequins, like the many strung along the walls of this museum: shiny, glittering, and illuminating. Sequins—whether as adornment on the outfits of clubgoers of the historic Arena nightclub, or in the dress and fabric shops along the callejones only minutes away from here—are aesthetic choices, but are also portals into possibility and self-empowerment.
The rubble can be a historical metaphor for the violence and trauma caused by colonization, the theft of Tongva land, the imposition of binary gender systems, and anti-blackness, or it can be an intimate metaphor for heartache and feelings of isolation caused by generational and intrapersonal wounds. It can be the metaphorical debris from the loss of so many to the AIDS epidemic and most recently COVID. The rubble may also be literal—physical debris left after catastrophic events like earthquakes and fires common in southern California, or in the aftermath of uprisings caused by racial injustice.
The images, maps, quotes, and artifacts found within this exhibition are like sequins shining brightly to reveal the wisdom, beauty, joy, and sacredness, past and present, found within the jotería community in Los Angeles. As you visit this exhibition, think of every name, image, artifact, location, memory, and sound you experience as a sequin that forms part of a larger tapestry that celebrates jotería life in the city.
ACTIVISTS
The city of Los Angeles is made up of stories about different kinds of individuals with unique experiences and perspectives. Often, jotería stories are erased or unknown. This section highlights individuals—activists, artists, immigrants, workers, parents, everyday people—who have left an imprint on the city either through collective efforts to create change or through everyday acts, living the best life that they can. Each quote shared are drawn from a variety of sources including oral histories and interviews, is a reflection on the speaker’s memories, identity, or experience as a member of the jotería community.
Bamby Salcedo
Bamby Salcedo was born in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico. She earned a Bachelor’s and Master's Degree in Chicana(o) and Latina(o) Studies from California State University of Los Angeles. A published author, she is the recipient of many awards, she has championed domestically and internationally transgender rights as a notable public speaker. Bamby is currently the founder, CEO and President of TransLatin@ Coalition which provides resources regarding transgender issues in Los Angeles. Bamby nació en Guadalajara, Jalisco, México. Ella recibió su licenciatura y su maestría en Estudios Chicana(0) y Latina(o) de la Universidad Estatal de California, Los Ángeles. Ademas de ser autora con publicaciones, ha recibido muchos premios y ha defendido los derechos de las personas transgénero a nivel nacional e internacional como una destacada oradora pública. Bamby es actualmente la directora ejecutiva y presidente de TransLatin@ Coalition, que proporciona recursos para la comunidad transgénero en Los Ángeles. Learn more about Bamby |
Lupe Ferrusco
Lupe Ferrusco was born in Guanajuato, Mexico in 1962. Working in seasonal farmwork, she migrated to the US back and forth in the 1980s and 1990s until the last time when she stayed for several years and lived at Wyvernwood Garden Apartments in Boyle Heights with her daughter, grandson. and her partner at the time, While living there she participated in the community struggle to Save Wyvernwood. She remembers clubs Plaza and Tempo, as places where she felt comfortable when she first migrated to Los Angeles. She is currently living back in Mexico. Lupe Ferrusco nació en Guanajuato, México en 1962. Trabajando en labores agrícolas de temporada, emigró a los EE. UU. de ida y vuelta en las décadas de 1980 y 1990 hasta la última vez que se quedó varios años y vivió en Wyvernwood Garden Apartments en Boyle Heights con su hija y su nieto. y su pareja en ese momento. Mientras vivía allí, participó en la lucha comunitaria para salvar a Wyvernwood Garden Apartments. Recuerda los clubs Plaza y Tempo, como lugares donde se sentía cómoda cuando emigró por primera vez a Los Ángeles. Actualmente vive en México. |
Jennicet Gutierrez
Jennicet Gutierrez is an activist and leader within the transgender and queer Latinx community. She has fought for the rights of undocumented folks. Born in Mexico, and migrating to the US as a teen, first lived in the San Fernando Valley when she arrived in Los Angeles, Gutiérrez is a founding member of La Familia: Trans Queer Liberation Movement, an organization that works on both local and national levels to increase the safety of being openly a part of the LGBT. Jennicet Gutierrez es activista y líder entre la comunidad transgenero y cuir Latinx. Ha luchado por los derechos de la comunidad indocumentada. Nacida en México, emigró a los Estados Unidos cuando era adolescnte y vivió en el valle de San Fernando. Gutierrez es una de los miembros fundadores de La Familia: Movimiento de Liberación Trans Queer, una organización que trabaja tanto a nivel local como nacional para aumentar la seguridad de ser abiertamente parte de la comunidad LGBT. Learn more about Jennicet |
Luis Alfaro
Luis Alfaro, an activist, poet, and performer was born and raised in the Pico-Union district of downtown Los Angeles. A Chicano playwright, he is the recipient of awards like the MacArthur “genius grants” among others, Alfaro has written notable plays like “Oedipus El Rey”, “Mojada,” "Body of Faith”, and so much more. Alfaro is involved with Playwrights Arena and Cornerstone Theatre Company in Los Angeles as a member of New Dramatist. He was a co-founder of Teatro Viva, in the 1980s to bring attention to HIV and AIDS in the Latinx community He is currently an associate professor of Theatre at USC. Luis Alfaro, activista, poeta, y dramaturgo Chicano, nació y se crió en el distrito Pico-Union del centro de Los Ángeles. Alfaro es un dramaturgo chicano ganador de premios como el MacArthur “genius grant,” entre otros, Alfaro ha escrito obras notables como "Oedipus El Rey”, “Body of Faith,” “Mojada” muchas más. El está involucrado con Playwrights Arena y Cornerstone Theatre Company en Los Ángeles como miembro de New Dramatist. Fue co-fundador Teatro Viva! En los 1980s para traer atención sobre VIH y SIDA en la comunidad Latina. Actualmente es Profesor Asociado de teatro en USC. Learn more about Luis |
Roland Palencia
Roland Palencia, an activist, educator, producer, and leader in the Latinx community, left Guatemala in his teens after his father was assassinated. He graduated from UCLA and was a founding member of numerous organizations since the 1980s. These organizations include Gay and Lesbian Latinos Unidos (GLLU) and VIVA!. His advocacy is involved with Central American and LGBTQ publications. Along with other accomplishments, he was the Executive Producer for “TransVisible: Bamby Salcedo’s Story,” another activist found within this exhibit, and the recent documentary “UNIDAD” about GLLU. Roland Palencia, activista, educador, productor y líder de la comunidad Latinx, salió de Guatemala en su adolescencia luego de que su padre fuera asesinado. Se graduó de UCLA y fue miembro fundador de numerosas organizaciones desde la década de 1980. Estas organizaciones incluyen Gay and Lesbian Latinos Unidos (GLLU) y VIVA!. Entre otros logros, es el productor ejecutivo de “TransVisible: La historia de Bamby Salcedo”, otro activista que se encuentra dentro de esta exhibición y del reciente documental “UNIDAD” sobre GLLU. Learn more about Roland https://www.onearchives.org/team/roland-palencia/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/roland-palencia-6547426 |
Paolo Riveros
Born in Lima, Perú Paolo Riveros is a photographer and filmmaker. He has worked on shows like Undocumented Tales 3 and The Mandolarian 2. From documenting Los Angeles nightlife to exploring photojournalism, Riveros, who has navigated the immigration and asylum system, has covered social justice movements that include immigration and LGBTQIA issues. He is currently the Content Creator for the Trans Latina Coalition. Nacido en Lima, Perú Paolo Riveros es fotógrafo y cineasta. Ha trabajado en programas como Undocumented Tales y El Mandalorian 2. Desde documentar la vida nocturna de Los Ángeles hasta explorar el fotoperiodismo, Riveros, quien ha navegado el sistema de imigracion y asilo político, ha cubierto movimientos de justicia social que incluyen temas de inmigración y LGBTQIA. Learn more about Paolo http://www.palomalibre.com/about https://www.instagram.com/paolojriveros/?hl=en https://www.linkedin.com/in/paoloriveros |
Monica Palacios
Monica Palacios was born in San José and moved to Los Angeles in the 1980s. She is a Chicana lesbian playwright and educator whose work encompasses both Latinx and LGBTQ experiences through humor and storytelling.She was openly lesbian during her time as a stand-up comedian in the 1980s and 1990s which she recalls as a difficult time. This was during the time of heightened homophobia and AIDs crisis. From 1992-2000 she was the Director of VIVA, an arts organization focused on LGBTQ Latinx artists. Many of her written works and productions are taught across college campuses. Mónica Palacios nació en los ochenta en San José, California y se mudó a Los Ángeles en los ochentas. Ell es una dramaturga y educadora lesbiana Chicana que crea obras que abarcan temas Latinx y LGBTQ por medio de la narración y el humor.. Fue abiertamente lesbiana durante su tiempo como comediante en las décadas de 1980 y 1990 lo cual recuerda fue un tiempo dificil. Esto fue durante la época de mayor homofobia y crisis del SIDA. De 1992-2000 fue la directora de VIVA, una organización enfocada en las artes y artistas LGBTQ Latinx. . Muchas de sus obras y producciones escritas se enseñan en universidades. Learn more about Monica |
Adrian Rodríguez
Born and raised in Los Angeles and later Connecticut, Adrian Rodríguez made his way back to California after graduate school. Currently a professor at California State University, Fullerton, he has a B.A. in Music from Cal Poly Pomona, M.S. in Counseling – Student Development in Higher Education from Cal State Long Beach and a PHD from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville in Counseling Psychology. Rodriguez is interested in mental health with a focus on people of color. All of life he has navigated his queer and Black and Mexican identities. Nacido y criado en Los Ángeles y luego en Connecticut, Adrián Rodríguez regresó a California después de terminar la escuela graduada. Actualmente es profesor en la Universidad Estatal de California, Fullerton, tiene un B.A. en Música de Cal Poly Pomona, M.S. en Consejería - Desarrollo Estudiantil en Educación Superior de Cal State Long Beach y un doctorado de la Universidad de Tennessee, Knoxville en Psicología de Consejería. Rodríguez está interesado en la salud mental con un enfoque en las personas de color. Toda su vida ha navegado por sus identidades queer, negra y mexicana. Learn more about Adrian |
Laura M. Esquivel
Laura M. Esquivel is a Chicana lesbian with roots in East LA and Pasadena. Coming out at a very young age, she has worked hard to carve a space for the LGBTQ community. She is a founding member of Gay and Lesbian Latinos Unidos and while at Los Angeles Valley College in Van Nuys was involved as a student leader. She has experience in directing outreach, campaigns and organizing for Latino, immigrant, and LGBT communities. In 2016, she was honored as an honoree of the 41 List, which recognized queer Latinx role models. Laura M. Esquivel es una Chicana lesbiana con raíces en East LA y Pasadena. Desde salir del armario a una edad muy temprana, ha trabajado duro para crear un espacio para la comunidad LGBTQ. Es miembro fundador de Gay and Lesbian Latinos Unidos y, mientras estaba en Los Angeles Valley College en Van Nuys, participó como líder estudiantil. Sus experiencias incluyen marchar con César Chávez en la Marcha en Washington de 1987, fundar LLEGO y convertirse en su directora de políticas públicas y relaciones gubernamentales. Tiene experiencia en la dirección de alcance, campañas y organización para comunidades Latinas, inmigrantes y LGBT. En 2016, fue honrada como homenajeada de la Lista 41, que reconoce a los modelos a seguir Latinx y cuir. Learn more about Laura |
Grecia de Pablo
Grecia de Pablo, a Piscis, was born in 1944 in Merida, Yucatan, Mexico when her mother was on a trip to visit her parents. Grecia was raised in eastern Cuba and studied History in Havana. Raised among many rural men, she said as a child she already felt the “mariposa” (queerness) within her. She enjoyed reading and playing basketball. Fleeing Fidel Castro’s regime, she lived in Spain for several years before moving to Los Angeles in the 1980s where she worked in social services, health advocacy, management, publishing, and performing. Grecia was a contributing writer to Adelante magazine when it began in the late 1990s. An activist, she is a member of the TransLatina Coalition. Grecia de Pablo, del signo piscis, nació en 1944 en Mérida, Yucatán, México cuando su madre estaba de viaje para visitar a sus padres. Grecia se crió en el oriente de Cuba y estudió Historia en La Habana. Criada entre muchos hombres rurales, dijo que de niña ya sentía la “mariposa” (queerness) dentro de ella. Le gustaba leer y jugar baloncesto. Huyendo del régimen de Fidel Castro, vivió en España durante varios años antes de mudarse a Los Ángeles en la década de 1980, donde trabajó en servicios sociales, educación de la salud, gestión, publicación y actuación. Grecia fue escritora contribuyente de la revista Adelante cuando se fundó a finales de los noventas. Es activista y parte de la Coalición TransLatina. |
Vaginal Davis
Artist, performer, filmmaker, and icon, Vaginal Davis was born in Los Angeles and raised in South Central. Her mother was Black Creole and her father was of Mexican and Jewish descent. Part of the LA club scene of the 1980s, Davis played an important role in the homo-core punk movement. She was a member of Cholita, a band she formed in 1987 along with Alice Bag and Fertile LaToya Jackson. Davis also blended femininity, queerness and blackness in a bold counter-mainstream fashion. Berlin has been her home for several years now. Artista, intérprete, cineasta e ícono, Vaginal Davis nació en Los Ángeles y se crió en South Central. Su madre era criolla negra y su padre era de ascendencia mexicana y judía. Parte de la escena de clubes de Los Ángeles de la década de 1980, Davis jugó un papel importante en el movimiento punk homo-core. Fue miembro de Cholita, banda que formó en 1987 junto con Alice Bag y Fertile LaToya Jackson. En su arte Davis mezcla la feminidad, lo queer y lo negro de una manera audaz contraria a la corriente principal. Berlín ha sido su hogar durante varios años Learn more about Vaginal |
Hector Silva
Hector Silva was born in Jalisco, Mexico and migrated to San Diego and then Los Angeles in the 1980s. He is a self-taught artist and activist. An internationally influential artist for the Latinx queer community he has been Influenced by street art and other traditional works. Silva aims to provide a truthful depiction of the queer Latinx depiction. Currently, the TOM House Drawing Room houses numerous of his art pieces and Silva was also inducted into Tom of Finland Foundation’s Artist Hall of Fame. He has shown his work all over Los Angeles and has presented at joteria events and college campuses. His erotic cholo artwork has been featred in book and written about by scholars. Héctor Silva nació en Jalisco, México y emigró a San Diego y luego a Los Ángeles en la década de 1980. Es un artista autodidacta y activista. Un artista de influencia internacional para la comunidad queer Latinx, ha sido influenciado por el arte callejero y otras obras tradicionales. Silva tiene como objetivo proporcionar una representación veraz de la representación cuir Latinx. Actualmente, TOM House Drawing Room alberga numerosas de sus obras de arte y Silva también fue incluido en el Salón de la Fama de Artistas de la Fundación Tom of Finland. Ha mostrado su trabajo por todo Los Ángeles y se ha presentado en eventos de jotería y campus universitarios. Su obra de arte erotico de cholos ha sido incluido en libros y enfatizado por académicos. Learn more about Hector |
Suyapa Portillo
Suyapa Portillo was born in 1974 in Honduras and grew up in Los Angeles. She has been involved extensively in community organizing for immigrant and queer causes and is one of the main organizers of the queer contingent of the immigrants rights marches in Los Angeles. She is a queer feminist scholar who primarily focuses on gender, labor, and migration in Central America. Currently she is an Associate Professor at Pitzer College and a member of the Intercollegiate Department of Chican@ Latin@ Studies in Claremont College. Her book Roots of Resistance: A Story of Gender, Race, and Labor on the North Coast of Honduras was published in 2022. Suyapa Portillo nació en 1974 en Honduras y creció en Los Ángeles. Ha estado ampliamente involucrada en la organización comunitaria para causas de inmigrantes y la comunidad cuir y fue una de las principales organizadoras del contingente cuir de las marchas por los derechos de los inmigrantes en Los Ángeles.Es una académica feminista queer que se centra principalmente en género, trabajo y migración en Centroamérica. Actualmente es profesora asociada en Pitzer College y miembro del Departamento Intercolegial de Estudios Chican@ Latin@ en Claremont College. Su libro Raíces de la resistencia: Una historia de género, raza y trabajo en la costa norte de Honduras fue publicado en 2022. Learn more about Suyapa |
Laura Luna Placencia
Laura Luna Placencia is queer icon. She is a self identified queer fat femme that aims at creating a safe space for others. Working within the field of community building and curating spaces to be heard, Laura has worked consulting, contributing, and producing a number of fashion projects and events for the Queer community. In addition to this, Laura Luna Pla also is the co-founder of LA Femmes of Color Collective and has worked with Queer & Trans People of Color (QTPOC). Laura Luna Placencia es un icono cuir. Ella es una mujer auto-identificada gorda y cuir que tiene como objetivo crear un espacio seguro para los demás. Trabajando en el campo de la creación de comunidades y curando espacios para ser escuchada, Laura ha trabajado como consultora, contribuyente y productora de una serie de proyectos y eventos de moda para la comunidad cuir. Además de esto, Laura Luna también es cofundadora de LA Femmes of Color Collective y ha trabajado con Queer & Trans People of Color (QTPOC). Learn more about Laura Luna |
Horacio Roque Ramírez
A mentor and friend to many, and a lover of tennis. Horacio Roque Ramírez was Born in 1969 in Santa Ana, El Salvador. He migrated with his family to Los Angeles in the 1980s. He received his PHD in Ethnic Studies from UC Berkeley and later earned tenure in the department of Chicana/o Studies at UC Santa Barbara. His research focused on the queer Latinx and Central American experience in the US. By collecting obituaries and conducting oral history interviews in the Mission District, he documented queer Latinx life during the AIDs crisis of the 1980’s and 90’s. After leaving UCSB, was a Los Angeles-based independent scholar until he died on December 25, 2015. Mentor y amigo de muchos, y amante del tenis. Horacio Roque Ramírez nació en 1969 en Santa Ana, El Salvador. Emigró con su familia a Los Ángeles en la década de 1980. Recibió su doctorado en Estudios Étnicos de UC Berkeley y luego obtuvo un puesto titular en el departamento deEstudios Chicanos/o en UC Santa Barbara. Su investigación se centró en la experiencia queer latina y centroamericana en Estados Unidos. Al recopilar obituarios y realizar entrevistas de historia oral en el Distrito de la Misión, documentó la vida queer Latinx durante la crisis del SIDA de los años 1980 y 1990. Después de dejar UCSB, fue un académico independiente con sede en Los Ángeles hasta su muerte el 25 de diciembre de 2015. Learn more about Horacio |
DJ Irene
Irene M. Gutiérrez, better known as DJ Irene is a legend. She is a DJ, producer, educator, and co-founder of Haute House. She has performed at many Pride events and her music is a staple in queer nightclubs such as Arena and Circus. In between tours, she teaches college students from urban communities. She is a wife and a mother. Irene M. Gutiérrez es legendaria. Es mejor conocida comoDJ Irene, es DJ, productora, educadora y cofundadora de Haute House. Ha actuado en muchos eventos del Orgullo y su música es un elemento básico en clubes nocturnos cuir como Arena y Circus. Entre giras, enseña a estudiantes universitarios de comunidades urbanas. Ella es esposa y madre. Learn more about DJ Irene |
Daniel Guzman
An Aries, Daniel Guzman is a Salvadoran-American musician, guitarist and educator. He was born in 1983 and grew up in Echo Park. He attended John Marshall High School. He is a member of the bands ModPods and TrapGirl. Guzman studied theater at LACC and received a teaching degree from CSUN. He teaches stage technology, technical theater, production and management, and acting at a high school. He is one of the organizers of LA Queer Posada, a community event organized for three years as a form of resistance against gentrification. Un Aries, Daniel Guzmán es un salvadoreño-estadounidense músico, guitarrista y educador. Nació en 1983 y creció en Echo Park. Asistió a la escuela secundaria John Marshall. Es miembro de las bandas ModPods y TrapGirl. Guzmán estudió teatro en LACC y recibió un título de maestro de CSUN. Enseña tecnología escénica, teatro técnico, producción y gestión, y actuación en una escuela secundaria. Fue uno de los organizadores de LA Queer Posada, un evento comunitario organizado por tres años como resistencia a la gentrificación. Learn more about Daniel |
Florentino Hawthorne
Florentino Hawthorne was born in 2000 in Whittier where he was also raised. He was involved in Sex worker activism during his time in Cornell and Black Lives Matter activism in Whittier. He was featured on CNN for his participation with Black Unity during the George Floyd protests. He works in homelessness outreach, emergency shelters. He is a parent. Florentino Hawthorne nacio en 2000 en Whittier donde también se crio. Estuvo involucrado en el activismo de trabajadoras sexuales durante su estancia en Cornell y en el activismo de Black Lives Matter en Whittier. Apareció en CNN por su participación con Black Unity durante las protestas de George Floyd. Trabaja en ayuda a personas sin hogar y refugios de emergencia. Él es padre. Learn more about Florentino |
Sandra Canote
Sandra Canote was raised in the Hancock Park area of Los Angeles. She is a lesbian mental health counselor of Mexican-Ecuadorian descent. After earning her Masters at Loyola Marymount University, she provided therapy in a number of community settings. She went on to create The Feelings Exchange Counseling Services where she provides culturally informed, LGBTQ affirmative therapy in English and Spanish. Canote is married and feels much gratitude for her wife. Sandra Canote se crió en Hancock Park en Los Ángeles. De ascendencia mexicano-ecuatoriana. es lesbiana y se dedica a consejeria de salud mental. Después de obtener su maestría en la Universidad Loyola Marymount, brindó terapia en varios entornos comunitarios. Luego creó The Feelings Exchange Counseling Services, donde brinda terapia afirmativa LGBTQ culturalmente informada en inglés y español. Es casada y siente mucha gratitud por su esposa. Learn more about Sandra |
Eder Diaz Santillan
Born in Jalisco, Mexico, Eder Diaz Santillan is the host, creator, and producer of the Spanish-Language podcast “De Pueblo, Católico, y Gay”. Inspired by his own coming out process, Eder explores the intersection of queer, Catholic, and Latinx identity during episode interviews. His goal is to promote open dialogue and understanding among queer Latinos and their respective communities. He worked for several years for “El Show de Omar y Argelia.” Eder completed his Masters at Cal State Northridge where he is a part-time lecturer. Nacido en Jalisco, México, Eder Díaz Santillán es el presentador, creador y productor del podcast en español “De Pueblo, Católico, y Gay”. Inspirándose en su propio proceso de salida del armario, Eder explora la intersección de las identidades queer, católica y latina durante las entrevistas de los episodios. Su objetivo es promover el diálogo abierto y el entendimiento entre los latinos cuir y sus respectivas comunidades. Trabajó por varios años para el programa “El Show de Omar y Argelia.” Eder completó su Maestría en Cal State Northridge donde es profesor a tiempo parcial. Learn more about Eder |
Glenda Cael
Born in Puerto Barrios, Guatemala, Glenda Cael is a self-identified lesbian femme who grew up in the Pentecostal church. Her experiences with religion shaped her life in many ways. She migrated to the United States in the nineties to get away from violence she was experiencing. She is a trained beautician and has worked in different service industry jobs. Attending Plaza nightclub was instrumental in her coming out. She has one son with whom she is very close. Nacida en Puerto Barrios, Guatemala, Glenda Cael se autoidentifica como una mujer lesbiana femme. Creció en la iglesia pentecostal. Sus experiencias con la religión dieron forma a su vida de muchas maneras. Emigró a Estados Unidos en los noventa para alejarse de la violencia que estaba viviendo. Ella es una esteticista capacitada y ha trabajado en diferentes trabajos de la industria de servicios. Asistir al club nocturno Plaza fue fundamental para su salida del armario. Ella tiene un hijo con quien es muy unida. |
Dalila Paola Méndez
Dalila Paola Méndez was born in Los Angeles in 1975 and grew up in the Echo Park Silver Lake area. She has memories of hanging out at the CSULA library as a kid while her mom went to school there. Co-founder of Womyn Image Makers (1999), Mendez is a queer indigenous Central American artist. She works in a variety of mediums including painting, printmaking, photography, and mural art. Her indigenous ancestry informs her artwork, which promotes issues of race, gender, sexuality, and environmental justice. Her artwork has also been featured and discussed in books and scholarly articles. Dalila Paola Méndez nació en Los Ángeles en 1975 y creció en el área de Echo Park y Silver Lake. Tiene recuerdos de pasar el rato en la biblioteca de CSULA cuando era niña mientras su madre iba a la escuela allí. Co-fundadora de Womyn Image Makers (1999), Méndez es una artista indígena centroamericana cuir. Trabaja en una variedad de medios que incluyen pintura, grabado, fotografía y arte mural. Su ascendencia indígena informa su obra de arte, que promueve cuestiones de raza, género, sexualidad y justicia ambiental. Su obra de arte también ha sido presentada y discutida en libros y artículos académicos. Learn more about Dalila Paola |
Jeanne Córdova
Jeanne Córdova was a self- identified butch lesbian feminist. During her brief period as a nun, Jeanne discovered her lesbian identity and passion for social work. A multi-disciplinary writer and community organizer, she advocated for Chicana rights and became a trailblazer for the LGBTQ movement. She founded several publications including “The Lesbian Tide”, four lesbian conferences, the Conexxus Women’s Center, and the Gay and Lesbian Caucus of the Democratic Party. As a delegate and media director, she overturned many anti-gay propositions. She also published on her activism and time in the convent. Jeanne Córdova se autoidentificó como una feminista lesbiana marimacha. Durante su breve período como monja, Jeanne descubrió su identidad lesbiana y su pasión por el trabajo social. Escritora multidisciplinaria y organizadora comunitaria, abogó por los derechos de las Chicanas y se convirtió en pionera del movimiento LGBTQ. Fundó varias publicaciones, entre ellas “The Lesbian Tide”, cuatro conferencias de lesbianas, el Centro de Mujeres Conexxus y el Caucus de Gays y Lesbianas del Partido Demócrata. Como delegada y directora de medios, anuló muchas propuestas anti-gay. También publicó su activismo y su paso por el convento. Learn more about Jeanne
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Stacy Macias
Stacy Macias is a queer lesbian femme Chicana feminist whose Jotería activism has manifested through scholarly initiatives and community organizing. Macias was a coordinator of the L.U.N.A. program at Bienestar, which addressed queer Latina’s vulnerability to H.I.V., and founded Tongues, which focused on queer Latina and women of color issues. She is currently an Associate Professor of Women’s Studies at Cal State University, Long Beach. Stacy Macias es una feminista lesbiana cuir Chicana femenina cuyo activismo en la Jotería se ha manifestado a través de iniciativas académicas y organizaciónes comunitaria. Macias fue coordinadora de L.U.N.A. programa en Bienestar, que abordó la vulnerabilidad de las latinas queer al VIH, y fundó Tongues, que se centró en cuestiones de latinas cuir y mujeres de color. Actualmente es Profesora Asociada de Estudios de la Mujer en Cal State University, Long Beach. Learn more about Stacy |
Miguel Barragan
Miguel Barragan was born in Los Angeles, the child of immigrants from Oaxaca, Mexico. He received his BA from UC Riverside and then went on to become a fashion designer. He has taught at Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandise (FIDM) and is currently the Assistant Director of Student Success and Curriculum for Arizona State University FIDM in downtown LA. He was one of the organizers of LA Queer Posada from 2011-2013. Miguel Barragán nació en Los Ángeles, hijo de inmigrantes de Oaxaca, México. Recibió su licenciatura en UC Riverside y luego se convirtió en diseñador de moda. Ha enseñado en el Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandise (FIDM) y actualmente es el subdirector de éxito estudiantil y plan de estudios del FIDM de la Universidad Estatal de Arizona en el centro de Los Ángeles. Fue uno de los organizadores de LA Queer Posada del 2011 al 2013. Learn more about Miguel |
Abel Alvarado
Abel Alvarado was born in Denver, Colorado and moved to Los Angeles in the late 1980s. He attended Baldwin Hills High School and grew up in the Apostolic Pentecostal Church which shaped his upbringing and made it difficult to come out as gay. A Chicano playwright, he is the creator of “Arena: a House MUSIC-al”. Drawing from his own experiences at the Arena nightclub, this play centers queer Latnix people and their journey of self discovery and finding community amidst societal rejection. Abel Alvarado nació en Denver, Colorado y se mudó a Los Ángeles a finales de los años 1980. Asistió a la escuela secundaria Baldwin Hills y creció en la Iglesia Pentecostal Apostólica, lo que moldeó su educación y dificultó declararse gay. Dramaturgo Chicano, es el creador de “Arena: a House MUSIC-al”. A partir de sus propias experiencias en el club nocturno Arena, esta obra se centra en las personas queer Latnix y su viaje de autodescubrimiento y búsqueda de comunidad en medio del rechazo social. Learn more about Abel |
Cristina Serna
Cristina Serna, poet, educator and art historian is a queer Chicana born and raised in Boyle Heights. Her parents are immigrants from Guanajuato, Mexico. She is a co- founder and former editor of Tongues Magazine. She was a high school teacher before receiving her PhD in Chicana and Chicano Studies from University of California, Santa Barbara. After graduate school, she taught Women and Gender Studies at Colgate University in upstate New York. Currently she spends most of her time in Mexico and Los Angeles. Cristina Serna, poeta, educadora e historiadora del arte, es una chicana cuir nacida y criada en Boyle Heights. Sus padres son inmigrantes de Guanajuato, México. Es cofundadora y ex editora de la revista Tongues. Fue profesora de secundaria antes de recibir su doctorado en Estudios Chicana y Chicanos de la Universidad de California en Santa Bárbara. Después de graduarse, enseñó Estudios de Género en la Universidad Colgate en el estado de Nueva York. Actualmente pasa la mayor parte de su tiempo entre México y Los Ángeles. |
Brenda González
Brenda González is an educator, transgender rights advocate and Program Manager for Transgeneros Unidas (TU), at Bienestar, a community-based social services organization. Gonzalez has worked at Bienestar for over 20 years. Born In Jalisco, Mexico, she attended college in Guadalajara before migrating to Los Angeles. Brenda González es educadora, defensora de los derechos de las personas transgénero y gerente de programas de Transgeneros Unidas (TU), en Bienestar, una organización de servicios sociales de base comunitaria. González ha trabajado en Bienestar durante más de 20 años. Nacida en Jalisco, México, estudió la universidad en Guadalajara antes de migrar a Los Ángeles. |
Jacqueline Rodríguez
Jacqueline Rodríguez, born in 1984, is a queer Chicana born in Los Angeles to Mexican parents from Durango who lived in the MacArthur Park area before moving to Hollywood where she grew up. She went to High School in the San Fernando Valley. In her youth she was involved in Oasis church. En la actualidad, trabaja tiempo completo y estudia. She likes spending time with her partner. Jacqueline Rodríguez, nacida en 1984 es una chicana queer nacida en Los Ángeles de padres mexicanos de Durango quienes vivieron en el área de MacArthur Park antes de mudarse a Hollywood donde ella se crió. Estudió la escuela secundaria en el Valle de San Fernando. En su juventud estuvo involucrada en la iglesia Oasis. She currently works full time and goes to school. Le gusta dedicar su tiempo a sus pareja. |
Sibelly
Born in Nicaragua, Sibelly was inspired by Mexican music at a young age. She especially admired ranchera singer Lucha Villa. Aside from working for a long time in a factory in Los Angeles, she immersed herself in the music ofVilla. Two weeks after itws opening, Sibelly started working as a performer at Plaza Salon, near Pink's Hot Dogs. Her talent for imitating Lucha Villa landed her a nomination on ”El Galardón De Los Grandes” a Mexican television show which awarded her as the best Lucha Villa in Los Angeles. Sibelly was also able to perform for her idol Lucha Villa during her 25th anniversary as an artist. Sibelly passed away in the late 1990s. Gilberto Arellano and his sister remember her fondly. Nacida en Nicaragua, Sibelly se inspiró en la música mexicana desde muy joven. En especial admiraba a Lucha Villa, cantante de rancheras. Además de trabajar durante mucho tiempo en una fábrica en Los Ángeles, Sibelly centró su atención en sumergirse en la música de Villa. Dos semanas después de la inauguración, Sibelly empezó a trabajar haciendo show en Plaza Salón, cerca de Pink's Hot Dogs. Su talento para imitar a Lucha Villa le valió una nominación en “El Galardón De Los Grandes”, programa de televisión mexicano que la premió como la mejor Lucha Villa de Los Ángeles. Sibelly también pudo actuar para su ídolo Lucha Villa durante su 25 aniversario como artista. Sibelly falleció a final de los 1990s. Gilberto Arellano y su hermana la recuerdan con cariño. |
Damus Ortiz
Damus Ortiz born in 1976 is Puerto Rican. He was born in New York City and moved to Los Angeles in the 1990s where he came of age as a gay Latino man. He is appreciative of the role his chosen family has played in his life. Ortiz worked as a Health educator for thirteen years and currently bartends at Precinct in downtown. Damus Ortiz nacido en 1976, es puertorriqueño. Nació en la ciudad de Nueva York y se mudó a Los Ángeles en la década de 1990, donde alcanzó la mayoría de edad como hombre latino gay. Aprecia el papel que la familia que eligió ha desempeñado en su vida. Ortiz trabajó como educador de salud durante trece años y actualmente es camarero en Precinct en el centro de la ciudad. |
Diana Victoria Vega
Diana Victoria Vega was born in 1977 in Los Angeles and grew up in North Hollywood in the San Fernando Valley. Her father is Mexican and her mother is from El Salvador. She received her BA in Sociology from California State University, Northridge. Although now divorced, she married her ex-wife before gay marriage was even legal. She works in the medical industry and is a proud mom to London. Diana Victoria Vega nació en Los Ángeles y creció en North Hollywood en el Valle de San Fernando. Su padre es mexicano y su madre es de El Salvador. Recibió su licenciatura en Sociología de la Universidad Estatal de California, Northridge. Aunque ahora está divorciada, se casó con su ex esposa antes de que el matrimonio homosexual fuera siquiera legal. Trabaja en la industria médica y es una madre orgullosa de Londres. |
REMEMBERING AND REIMAGINING THE CITY
The Stonewall Riot in New York City in 1969 is known as the start of the gay liberation movement in the United States. However, two years before, in February 1967, over 200 LGBTQ patrons of the Black Cat Tavern in Silverlake protested against police brutality that took place following a raid on the tavern on New Year’s Eve, 1966. From 1993 to 2011 the bar was known as Le Barcito, a favorite within the jotería community. Moments like these, as well as events of the Chicanx, feminist, immigrants’ rights, and other movements for social change in Los Angeles, have shaped and been shaped by jotería.
As the Black Cat Tavern example shows, nightlife spaces like bars and clubs, along with pride parades, are important to LGBTQ people’s lives, but so are places that wouldn’t otherwise be considered queer spaces in a traditional sense, like restaurants, abuelitas’ living rooms, parking lots, or even schools and churches. In A People’s Guide to Los Angeles, Laura Pulido, Laura Barraclough, and Wendy Cheng create maps of Los Angeles, highlighting places of important relevance to everyday people and to social justice activism in the city. Because of rapid gentrification in Los Angeles, many places that shaped people’s lives have been either razed or rebuilt, leaving no trace of what stood there before. In this razing or rebuilding, layered histories of the city are ignored or erased, such as histories of settler colonialism, indigenous dispossession, and racial segregation.
Pulido, Barraclough, and Cheng invite us to map our own neighborhoods, especially places within those neighborhoods that might be considered unimportant. Although some of these places are no longer physically standing, they live on in memories and in archives. This map charts places and moments as sequins that show individual jotería histories as well as interconnectedness to other communities.
As the Black Cat Tavern example shows, nightlife spaces like bars and clubs, along with pride parades, are important to LGBTQ people’s lives, but so are places that wouldn’t otherwise be considered queer spaces in a traditional sense, like restaurants, abuelitas’ living rooms, parking lots, or even schools and churches. In A People’s Guide to Los Angeles, Laura Pulido, Laura Barraclough, and Wendy Cheng create maps of Los Angeles, highlighting places of important relevance to everyday people and to social justice activism in the city. Because of rapid gentrification in Los Angeles, many places that shaped people’s lives have been either razed or rebuilt, leaving no trace of what stood there before. In this razing or rebuilding, layered histories of the city are ignored or erased, such as histories of settler colonialism, indigenous dispossession, and racial segregation.
Pulido, Barraclough, and Cheng invite us to map our own neighborhoods, especially places within those neighborhoods that might be considered unimportant. Although some of these places are no longer physically standing, they live on in memories and in archives. This map charts places and moments as sequins that show individual jotería histories as well as interconnectedness to other communities.
LOCATIONS
In alphabetical order
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Amoeba Music
Music stores are also important to joteria. Although stores like Blockbuster Music and Sam Goody don't exist anymore, they left behind many memories. For example, Amoeba Records, or Tower Records, on Sunset was important to Cesar Tinoco whose musician dad would take him to the store when he was a kid. Las tiendas de música también son importantes para la jotería. Aunque tiendas como Blockbuster Music y Sam Goody ya no existen, dejaron muchos recuerdos. Por ejemplo, Amoeba Records, o Tower Records, en Sunset era importante para César Tinoco, cuyo padre quien es músico lo llevaba a la tienda cuando era niño. Ambassador Hotel The Ambassador Hotel made its grand opening on January 1, 1921 and closed its doors in 1989. This hotel was known for celebrity events and as the site of Robert F Kennedy's assassination. This is also where a gay and lesbian conference took place in the 1980s. Members of Gay and Lesbian Latinos Unidos (GLLU) were in attendance. Este hotel abrió en 1921 y cerró sus puertas en 1989. Fue conocido por eventos de los famosos y porque ahí fue asesinado Robert F. Kennedy. También fue la sede de una de las conferencias de gays y lesbianas al principio de los 1980s. Miembros de Gay and Lesbian Latinos Unidos (GLUU) estuvieron ahí. Arena Nightclub An iconic club open from the early 1990s to the mid 2010s Arena was a haven for joteria and other queer young people in the city. DJ Irene made everyone dance with her sets every week. Abel Alvarado’s “Arena: A House Music-al” captures the essence of the importance of this place. Un club icónico abierto desde principios de los 90 hasta mediados de los 2010, Arena era un paraíso para la jotería y otros jóvenes cuir de la ciudad. DJ Irene hacía bailar a todos con su música cada semana. La obra La Arena: A House Music-al de Abel Alvarado, captura la esencia de la importancia de este lugar. Bus routes Many Angelenos, especially poor and working class people and people of color, and queer folk, ride the bus daily to get to and from work, school, doctor’s appointments or even to play. The bus routes, especially main ones like the 720, 164, and more are like arteries taking people across the span of the city. Bamby Salcedo remembers using the bus system often when she first arrived in Los Angeles. Every bus takes you to la Santa Monica, she recalls. Rutas de autobuses Muchos angelinos, especialmente la gente pobre y de clase trabajadora, la gente de color y la gente cuir, viajan en autobús diariamente para ir y volver del trabajo, la escuela, las citas médicas o incluso para jugar. Las rutas de autobús, especialmente las principales como la 720, 164 y más, son como arterias que llevan a las personas a lo largo de la ciudad. Bamby Salcedo recuerda haber usado frecuentemente el sistema de autobuses cuando llegó por primera vez a Los Ángeles. Todos los autobuses te llevan a Santa Mónica, recuerda. CSUN LDS Institute The Mormon Institute of religion library at California State University, Northridge was where María met her first girlfriend Ally. After being married for many years and having four children, Maria fell in love with someone who at the time shared similar religious backgrounds. Although the Mormon church was not accepting of her new life, she looks back at this place as one that marks her queer trajectory. La biblioteca del Instituto Mormón de Religión de la Universidad Estatal de California, Northridge, fue donde María conoció a su primera novia, Ally. Después de estar casada durante muchos años y tener cuatro hijos, María se enamoró de alguien que en ese momento compartía antecedentes religiosos similares. Aunque la iglesia mormona no aceptaba su nueva vida, ella recuerda este lugar como uno que marca su extraña trayectoria. |
Del Taco
The Del Taco on Santa Monica and Highland only blocks away from Circus and Arena nightclubs was a late night fast food stop. Diana Vega and Eddy Francisco Alvarez Jr., like others, remember going there after Perversion, a goth and industrial music club down the street in Hollywood. A pharmacy now stands in its place. El Del Taco en Santa Mónica y Highland, a solo unas cuadras de los clubes nocturnos Circus y Arena, era una parada de comida rápida nocturna. Diana Vega y Eddy Francisco Álvarez Jr., como otros, recuerdan haber ido allí después de Perversion, un club de música gótica e industrial en una calle de Hollywood. En su lugar ahora hay una farmacia. Don Bosco Technical Institute Don Bosco Technical Institute is an all boys private high school located in the city of Rosemead. Several people attended this school or remember it and some of their first memories of navigating their queer identities are connected to it. Don Bosco Technical Institute es una escuela secundaria privada localizada en la ciudad de Rosemead. Varias personas asistieron o se acuerdan de esta escuela y algunos de sus primeros recuerdos navegando sus identidades cuir están conectados con esta escuela. El Conquistador Owned by gay Latinos who had been in the community for a long time,, El Conquistador Mexican Restaurant in Silver Lake was a favorite hang out of la joteria, and a community hub for many who enjoyed the vibrant decor, music, and strong margaritas. Organizations like VIVA held meetings and celebrations there. The restaurant closed in 2016 due to a hike in rent prices caused by gentrification. While the building still stands, a new Mexican restaurant called Condor has replaced it. This was one of the stops of the LA Queer Posada organized to resist gentrification in the neighborhood. Los dueños del restaurante mexicano El Conquistador en Silver Lake eran gay Latinos que llevaban tiempo en la comunidad. Este era el lugar favorito de la jotería y un centro comunitario para muchos que disfrutaban de la decoración vibrante, la música y las fuertes margaritas. Organizaciones como VIVA celebraron allí reuniones y celebraciones. El restaurante cerró en 2016 debido al aumento de los precios de alquiler provocado por la gentrificación. Si bien el edificio sigue en pie, lo reemplazó un nuevo restaurante mexicano llamado Cóndor. Así fue una de las paradas de LA Queer Posada organizado para resistir la gentrificación en el vecindario. El Pollo Loco Now a parking lot, El Pollo Loco was a recognizable landmark in Silver Lake. This was also one of the stops on the LA Queer Posada. Ahora un estacionamiento, El Pollo Loco era un hito reconocible en Silver Lake. Esta fue también una de las paradas de LA Queer Posada Espiritu Shop For Laura Luna P. working at this mexican folk art store that sold candles, Frida Kahlo artwork, crosses, and other art in Claremont was where she learned a lot about herself. Para Laura Luna P., trabajar en esta tienda de arte popular mexicano que vendía velas, obras de arte de Frida Kahlo, cruces y otras obras de arte en Claremont fue donde aprendió mucho sobre sí misma. Jewel’s Catch One Jewels Catch One was one of the first and longest standing disco and bars that catered to black folk. It was opened in 1973 by Jewel Thais Williams who was motivated to open this bar after being discriminated against at different bars throughout the Hollywood area for being a black woman. Many queer Latinx folks also went to this bar. Jewels Catch One fue una de las primeras y más antiguas discotecas y bares que atendían a la comunidad Afro-americana en Los Ángeles negra. Fue inaugurado en 1973 por Jewel Thais Williams, quien se vio motivada a abrir este bar luego de ser discriminada en diferentes bares del área de Hollywood por ser una mujer negra. Muchos Latinx cuir también iban a este club. |
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John Burroughs Middle School
Located in the Hancock Park area, this school is known for its diversity and academic excellence since it opened its doors in 1924. Over 2,000 students ranging from the grades 6-8 are enrolled here. Daniel Guzman attended this school and had a formative role in his life. Situada en el área de Hancock Park, esta escuela es conocida por su diversidad y excelencia académica desde que abrió sus puertas en 1924. Más de 2000 estudiantes de 6.º a 8.º grado están matriculados aquí. Daniel Guzmán asistió a esta escuela y tuvo un papel formativo en su vida. Kathy's Boutique Owned by two queer women of color, Kathy and Ernestine, this vintage store has survived gentrification in North Hollywood, or NoHo as it is called today. Often stopping by on his way home from school, as a teenager, this store always felt like a refuge for Dr. Eddy Francisco Alvarez Jr., the curator of this exhibit. Propiedad de dos mujeres cuir de color, Kathy y Ernestine, esta tienda vintage ha sobrevivido a la gentrificación en North Hollywood, o NoHo, como se la llama hoy. Cuando era adolescente, pasaba con frecuencia por allí cuando regresaba a casa desde la escuela, y esta tienda siempre se sintió como un refugio para el Dr. Eddy Francisco Álvarez Jr., el curador de esta exposición. La Cita This bar downtown has a special place in many people’s memories. One of the venues that took place there was Mustache Mondays, a weekly club night founded by Nacho Nava along with Dino Dinco and their friends. Paolo Riveros remembers his first gigs as a photographer there. Esta barra en el centro de Los Ángeles tiene un lugar especial en los recuerdos de mucha gente. Uno de los eventos que se dio lugar ahí fue Mustache Mondays una noche fundada por Nacho Nava con Dino Dinco y sus amigos. Paolo Riveros recuerda sus primeros trabajos como fotógrafo allí. La Pacific Pacific Blvd is known to many Latinos as La Pacific, the main thoroughfare in the city of Huntington Park. Lined with Quinceañera and bridal dress shops, and other mom and pop shops, this street serves as a marker of the vibrant working class neighborhood featured in Aurora Guerrero’s film Mosquita y Mari and home to the iconic rock and español night La Boom at Leonardo’s in the 1990s and early 2000s. Pacific Blvd es conocida por muchos latinos como La Pacific, la vía principal de la ciudad de Huntington Park. Llena de tiendas de vestidos de novia y de quinceañera, y otras tiendas familiares, esta calle sirve como marcador del vibrante vecindario de clase trabajadora que aparece en la película Mosquita y Mari de Aurora Guerrero y hogar de la icónica noche de rock y español La Boom en Leonardo's en el Década de 1990 y principios de 2000. Los Angeles Valley College “Valley” as those from the San Fernando Valley know it as or Los Angeles Valley College is a community college located in Valley Glen. It is home to the Great Wall of Los Angeles, a mural designed by the great Judy Baca and over 400 community youth and artists in 1978. Laura M. Esquivel studied at Los Angeles Valley College and was a student leader there as were other joteria. “Valley” como lo conocen los del Valle de San Fernando o Los Angeles Valley College es un colegio comunitario ubicado en Valley Glen. Es el hogar de la Gran Muralla de Los Ángeles, un mural diseñado por Judy Baca y más de 400 jóvenes y artistas de la comunidad en 1978. Laura M. Esquivel estudió en Los Angeles Valley College y fue líder estudiantil allí al igual que otra joteria. Le Barcito Formerly Black Cat this was the site of a protest after patrons experienced police brutality on the eve of 1967. The owners of Le Barcito were gay Latinos.Ruben Adame remembers the drag shows that featured Selena, and other Latinx icons. This was one of the stops of the LA Queer Posada Procession. Anteriormente llamado Black Cat, este fue la sede de una protesta después de que los asistentes al antro fueran víctimas de violencia policial la noche de año nuevo en 1967. Los dueños de Le Barcito eran Latinos gay. Ruben Adame recuerdo los shows de drag con Selena, y otros iconos Latinx. Esta fue una de las paradas en la procesión de LA Queer Posada. Linda Vista Hospital Located in Boyle Height, this hospital served many railroad workers at the turn of the century. In the 1980s it fell into disrepair and was abandoned. Because of this many said it was haunted and was used as a set for Hollywood movies and shows. For several people, who are part of this project, the hospital had a different meaning. Bamby Salcedo and Nacho have memories of visiting loved ones who were dying of AIDS there. Luis Salinas remembers ditching school in high school and hanging out there with other kids. It is now Hollenbeck Terrace, a senior apartment complex. Ubicado en Boyle Height, este hospital atendió a muchos trabajadores ferroviarios a principios de siglo. En la década de 1980 cayó en mal estado y fue abandonado. Debido a esto, muchos dijeron que estaba embrujado y que se usaba como escenario para películas y programas de Hollywood. Para varias personas que forman parte de este proyecto, el hospital tuvo un significado diferente. Bamby Salcedo y Nacho tienen recuerdos de visitar a sus seres queridos que estaban muriendo de SIDA allí. Luis Salinas recuerda haber abandonado la escuela en la secundaria y salir con otros niños. Ahora es Hollenbeck Terrace, un complejo de apartamentos para personas mayores. MacArthur Park This park was built in the 1880s and went through various name and design changes. It is known as a hub of immigrant life and leisure in Los Angeles. Joteria remember crossing through the park onto Wilshire Blvd. during the Immigrant rights marches of 2006 led by trans women in protest of HRR 4437 which further criminalized undocumented immigrants. Este parque fue construido en la década de 1880 y pasó por varios cambios de nombre y diseño. Es conocido como un centro de vida y ocio de inmigrantes en Los Ángeles. Joteria recuerda haber cruzado el parque hacia la Wilshire durante las marchas por los derechos de los inmigrantes de 2006 encabezadas por mujeres trans en protesta por la HRR 4437 que criminalizaba aún más a los inmigrantes indocumentado. Mom’s Burgers Compton is the site of many narratives about Los Angeles. This burger place in Compton is no longer there but it is an iconic spot. In her poetry and other works, Claudia Rodríguez queer Chicana writer, educator and performer invokes her hometown of Compton. Compton es el lugar de muchas narrativas sobre Los Ángeles. Esta hamburguesería en Compton ya no existe, pero es un lugar icónico. En su poesía y otras obras, Claudia Rodríguez, escritora, educadora e intérprete queer chicana, invoca su ciudad natal de Compton. |
Oasis Church
Although churches aren't usually where we think of as being queer friendly, they have had an important role in many people’s lives. For Jacqueline Rodriguez, Oasis church in Hollywood was where she had her first crush on a girl. Aunque las iglesias generalmente no son lugares que consideramos amigables con los homosexuales, han tenido un papel importante en la vida de muchas personas. Para Jacqueline Rodríguez, la iglesia Oasis fue donde se enamoró por primera vez de una chica. Parking Lot of El Mercadito El Mercadito is a legendary market and community space in Boyle Heights. Raquel Guiterrez writes about hanging out there after “eating vegetarian gorditas” and “after lighting candles at the Virgin of Guadalupe altar” El Mercadito es un mercado legendario y un espacio comunitario en Boyle Heights. Raquel Gutiérrez escribe sobre recuerdos de estar ahí despues de “comer gorditas vegetarianas” y “prender una vela a la virgen de Guadalupe.” Pico-Union One of the most densely populated neighborhoods in Los Angeles, this is Chicano playwright Luis Alfaro grew up. Uno de las áreas más densamente pobladas de Los Angeles, aquí es donde el dramaturgo CHicano Luis Alfaro creció. Plaza One of the oldest bars in Los Angeles, Plaza on La Brea near Santa Monica was a hang out spot for many joteria in LA. Sibelly worked here for many years performing as Lucha Villa. This is also where Glenda Cael’s process of coming out first happened. Uno de los bares más antiguos de Los Ángeles, Plaza en La Brea, cerca de la Santa Mónica, era un lugar de reunión para muchas jotería en Los Ángeles. Sibelly trabajó aquí durante muchos años actuando como Lucha Villa. Aquí también es donde ocurrió por primera vez el proceso de salida del armario de Glenda Cael. Probe One of the places that stands out in Hector Silva’s memories of his first encounters with Los Angeles is The Probe. This exclusive club, which was in downtown Los Angeles hired Silva to paint murals on its walls. Uno de los lugares que resalta en los recuerdos de Héctor Silva de sus primeros encuentros con Los Ángeles es The Probe. Este exclusivo club ubicado en el centro de Los Ángeles contrató a Silva para pintar murales en sus paredes. Queen Mary An iconic drag bar in Studio City, this was one of the first drag spaces attended by Eddy Francisco Alvarez Jr. Es parte de la historia cuir del valle de San Fernando. Un iconico bar de drag en Studio City, fue uno de los primeros espacios cuir al que asistió Eddy Francisco Alvarez Jr. This is a part of the queer history of the San Fernando Valley. Que Sera This club in Long Beach is where Diana Vega met her ex-wife of many years. Este club en Long Beach es donde Diana Vega conoció a su ex esposa de muchos años. 7-11 This 7-11 on Santa Monica and Highland pops up often in the memories of folks who used to attend Arena Nightclub. Este 7-11 en Santa Mónica y Highland aparece a menudo en la memoria de las personas que solían asistir al Arena Nightclub. Sugar Shack Formerly known as Eddie’s, Sugar Shack was a queer bar in El Monte which was a second home and a space of familia to many. A fire that broke out in 1992 caused the bar to close down, leaving behind many memories and feelings. Stacy Macias has written about the bar and what it means to her and other people. Antes llamado Eddie’s, Sugar Shack fue un bar cuir en El Monte el cual fue segundo hogar y un espacio familiar para muchxs. Un incendio en 1992 causó el cierre del lugar, dejando atrás muchos recuerdos y emociones. Stacy Macias ha escrito sobre la barra y lo que representa para ella y para otras personas. Sunset Junction This was a festival that started in 1980 to address tensions and violence in the community in Silver Lake. Many joteria remember participating in Sunset Junction. Fue un festival que comenzó en 1980 para abordar la violencia en la comunidad de Silver Lake. Mucha jotería recuerda haber participado en Sunset Junction. The Madrid Apartments This apartment complex was where Laura Luna P. lived when she first moved from Ontario in her early twenties. She shared the apartment with several friends and has many memories both good and bad of living there but this place is pivotal to her LA joteria memories. En este complejo de apartamentos vivía Laura Luna P. cuando se mudó por primera vez de Ontario cuando estaba en sus veintes. Compartió el apartamento con varios amigxs y tiene muchos recuerdos, tanto buenos como malos, de vivir allí, pero este lugar es fundamental para sus recuerdos de la jotería de Los Ángeles. Watts Towers A landmark in Los Angeles History, these towers were created by Simon Rodia. This is a reminder of the interconnected histories of different minoritized groups in the city. Un hito en la historia de Los Ángeles, estas torres fueron creadas por Simon Rodia. Este es un recordatorio de las historias interconectadas de diferentes grupos minoritarios en la ciudad. Wyvernwood Garden Apartments This is a community of apartments in Boyle Heights where many residents have lived for years. Cesar Ivan Tinoco and Luis Alberto Salinas have memories of navigating Wyvernwood as queer kids. Lupe Ferrusco, featured in the exhibit, also lived there and participated in the community efforts to save Wyvernwood” from the forces of gentrification. Es una comunidad de apartamentos en Boyle Heights donde viven muchos residentes han vivido por años. Cesar Ivan Tinoco y Luis Alberto Salinas tienen recuerdos de navegar y vivir ahí siendo niños cuir. Lupe Ferrusco, quien enfatizamos en esta exhibición también vivió ahí y participó en los esfuerzos de la comunidad para salvar a Wyvernwood de las fuerzas de la gentrificación. |