Celebrating Queer Latinx Icons

Each October, the end of Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15-October 15) overlaps with the beginning of Queer History Month. To mark this amazing convergence, we’re celebrating by highlighting some of the brightest and boldest icons in queer Latinx history, both past and present. From legendary musicians and acclaimed actors to game-changing activists and fabulous drag artists, each of these individuals use their unique talent and expertise to make the world a better place not just for queer Latinx people, but for all people. Take a look at a few spotlights:

Angie Xtravaganza

Angie Xtravaganza (1964-1993) was born in the South Bronx to a Puerto Rican family. Forced to leave her home due to her queer identity, Angie found refuge in NYC’s drag and ballroom scene at just 14 years old. Co-founder and Mother of the House of Xtravanganza (est. 1982), which was notably the first primarily Latino house in the ballroom scene, Angie acted as an adoptive mother to the queer and trans Latinx “children” in her house who were also turned away by their own families. One of the most well-known House Mothers of the ballroom world, and the youngest House Mother in Harlem at the time, Angie was prominently featured in the seminal documentary Paris Is Burning. A figurehead and fierce advocate for trans women of color, she provided education about HIV and AIDS to combat stigma and misinformation that were prevalent at the time.

Dennis deLeon

Dennis deLeon (1948-2009) was a human rights lawyer and staunch advocate for the rights of people living with HIV/AIDS. Dennis served as NYC Human Rights Commissioner under Mayor David Dinkins, and eventually went on to become president of the Latino Commission on AIDS for 15 years. During his time there, Dennis grew the organization from a small staff of 2 to a powerhouse organization with 45 employees, turning it into the nation’s leading organization battling HIV/AIDS within the Latino community. Dennis was one of NYC’s first public officials to publicly disclose his HIV+ status, via a powerful op-ed in the New York Times titled My Hopes, My Fears, My Disease.

Michaela Jaé Rodriguez

Michaela Jaé Rodriguez (born 1991) is a groundbreaking actor and singer. Born in Newark, New Jersey, Michaela was involved in theater and performing arts from a young age, and won a Clive Barnes award in 2011 for her performance as Angel in Rent. Getting involved with the ballroom scene at age 14, Michaela developed a vogueing talent that eventually led to her being cast as Blanca Evangelista in the historic FX television series Pose. Pose featured the largest-ever cast of transgender actors in regular roles on a scripted series, and incredible performance went on to earn her an Emmy nomination - the first-ever for a trans woman in a major acting category - and a Golden Globe award for Best Actress - the first-ever win for a trans actor.

José Julio Sarria

José Julio Sarria (1922-2013) was a famed American drag queen, LGBTQ activist, and founder of the Imperial Court System. Sarria is known for many things, including for being the first openly gay candidate for public office when he ran for the San Francisco Board of Supervisors in 1961. He was a pioneering drag performer and became known as the “Nightingale of Montgomery Street” for his performances at the Black Cat Bar in San Francisco. He was also a prominent figure in the early LGBTQ rights movement. Sarria’s creation of the Imperial Court System provided a platform for drag queens to find community and raise funds for charitable causes, a legacy which still lives on today.

Wilson Cruz

Wilson Cruz (born 1973) is an accomplished actor and activist in the LGBTQ rights movement. Born in Brooklyn, NY to parents of Puerto Rican descent, Wilson eventually moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career in acting. Determined to be open about his queer identity in his career, in 1994 Wilson became the first openly gay actor to portray a gay character on network television with his role in cult-classic My So-Called Life. Today, Wilson continues to weave his activism into every aspect of his work, and regularly uses his platform to advocate for the health and safety of queer youth. For these reasons, Wilson was honored as a Visionary at Stonewall’s 2018 Vision Awards.

Sylvia Rivera

Sylvia Rivera (1951-2002) was a pioneering activist and advocate who played a central role in the early LGBTQ rights movement, including being a leading figure in the Stonewall Riots in NYC. A transgender woman of Puerto Rican and Venezuelan descent, Rivera fought hard to ensure that trans folks, people of color, and low-income individuals were included as the LGBTQ movement advanced. With close friend Marsha P. Johnson, Rivera co-founded the Street Transvestite Action Revolutionaries (STAR), a group dedicated to helping homeless young drag queens, gay youth, and trans women. Later on, as anti-discrimination laws came into being, Sylvia challenged mainstream LGBTQ groups and progressive politicians to embrace the full spectrum of queer identity, and to include trans folks in legislative policies. Her legacy lives on through the work of Stonewall grantee partner, Sylvia Rivera Law Project.