Lots to catch on TV!
Latinx folks have had a few things to watch as of late, in both English and Spanish, including several segments for Pride month, including one on the history of Stonewall and profiles of LGBTQ Latinx leaders on the popular morning show Despierta América, by reporter Luis Sandoval. Two gay contestants were part of Telemundo’s MasterChef Latino cast – Dennis Escalante and Javier Seañez. You can catch the show on Sunday or at Telemundo.com. On the show, both chefs shared their experiences as gay men.
Scripted shows en Español and in English with LGBTQ content. The Telemundo hit series, La Reina del Sur introduced a new LGBTQ storyline in its second season. One of the main characters, Alejandro Alcalá (played by Mark Tacher), is shown to be in a secret relationship with another man, architect and interior designer Danilo Marquez (played by Emmanuel Orenday).
Coming to Univision in early August will be the series El Corazón Nunca Se Equivoca, which follows Aris and Temo, aka Aristemo, arguably the most popular couple of the Mexican novela Mi Marido Tiene Más Familia as they move together to Mexico City.
Fans of the Univision series Amar a Muerte, and the characters Juliana and Valentina who fell in love in the series (fans have dubbed them Juliantina) are also ecstatic upon hearing their story will be made into a film and likely a spin off series as well. More on #Juliantina in this story on Pride.com. Congrats to the fandoms of these shows, who have illustrated the power and joy of media inclusion.
Speaking of overjoyed fans, One Day at a Time, the critically-lauded comedy whose ensemble includes Justina Machado and Rita Moreno and which features a queer leading character, daughter Elena, had been canceled at Netflix, but has been picked up by Pop TV which has many people feeling thankful. More on the show’s bright future in this interview with show runner Gloria Calderón Kellett.
The new HBO show Los Espookys, has been getting love from the critics at the New Yorker, Vulture and others. The writing acting and creative ensemble includes out writer and comedian Julio Torres, along with Fred Armisen and Ana Fabrega. Torres’ show My Favorite Shapes by Julio Torres is set to debut on HBO in the near future.
Movies to catch at Outfest
Outfest, the L.A. based LGBTQ film festival, is coming July 18-28th. The festival will be screening over 200 films, including some Latinx films like Cassandro, The Exotico!, which highlights the story of Cassandro’s (Saul Armendariz) rise to fame as a fabulous rhinestone-studded hero in the Lucha Libre world. Also in the lineup is the film José, which tells the story of two teenagers living in Guatemala who meet through a “hook-up” app and dream of a better life together, but face challenges as it clashes with Jose’s religious mother’s beliefs. Other notable films include This Is not Berlin, set in 1986 Mexico City, Temblores about a man battling conversion therapy and Brief Story from the Green Planet, about a young Argentine trans woman who has to help an alien. Finally, Latinx & Chill, a series of short films offers portrayals of the diverse and resilient Latinx community.
Viva la música!
Levitt Pavilion in LA’s MacArthur Park once again offers a whopping 50 free concerts, lots of them Latinx, including San Cha on July 25, described as “… a vocal priestess known for her explosive, visceral and emotional live performances that captivates audiences with her blend of Mexican folk music, cumbia and punk.” Tomasa del Real performs Aug. 16. “Crowned the queen of Neoperreo, a futuristic underground offshoot of perreo (classic reggaeton).”
Art show, “On the Inside” highlights art by incarcerated LGBTQ people
“On the Inside,” a group show of art by incarcerated LGBTQ people will be on display at the Craft Contemporary in Los Angeles from June to September. The result of a multi-year open call to which some 4,000 pieces of art were said to have been submitted. The show adds a cool interactive element by offering a platform that allows you to walk through
the exhibit and text the prisoners your thoughts. Those messages then get turned into hard mail and are sent to the prisons, which, according to one of the show’s organizers, allows you to help contribute to the artists’ well-being while enjoying their work.
Online news outlet shine a light on the lives of LGBTQ immigrants
Two recent articles, in Spanish, help bring to life the realities of LGBTQ immigrants in detention and waiting for a chance to make a new life. One story, on Univision.com looks at alleged negligence by ICE when caring for transgender women. The other story profiles activists in Baja California working to help LGBTQ immigrants.
Good Reads
Books to look forward to later in 2019
Remezcla published a list of Latinx books coming before the end the year, and includes some with LGBTQ storylines. The Truth Is, by NoNieqa Ramos tells the story 
of 15-year-old Verdad. Dealing with the death of her best friend, trying to meet her mom’s expectations, and her dad’s new spouse, she doesn’t believe she has time for a relationship until she meets Danny, a new trans boy at school. In the Dream House, by Carmen Maria Machado, is her memoir where she addresses the end of a same-sex relationship and psychological abuse she endured.
Check out this story, en español, on non-binary poet Raquel Salas Rivera In this Associated Press interview, poet Raquel Salas Rivera talks about their poetry and their experience as a non-binary Puerto Rican living in Philadelphia.
Mitú on health disparities among women of color
We are Mitú published a powerful piece on the health disparities that particularly affect LBQ women of color, including Latina identified LBQ women, such as higher rates of advanced breast and ovarian cancer compared to straight women or discrimination in the healthcare setting. The article brings to light many issues within the healthcare system and touches on California’s Lesbian, Bisexual & Queer Women’s Health Equity Fund budget proposal.