The third and final edition of Vives Q for 2014 took place Dec. 2 at the National Museum of Mexican Art in front of an enthusiastic and packed crowd that included supportive families, engaged children, queer youth, drag queens, and one mayoral candidate.
The symposium/show was designed as an intergenerational space, with LGBT trailblazers of color engaging with LGBT youth with a trend toward storytelling and oral history. Vives Q has also expanded to include youth-oriented drag, spoken word and musical performance, and is designed to be all-inclusive and -accessible.
This last installment featured pioneers Wanda Rodriguez and Robert Castillo along with a performance by queer musician Ignacio, who debuted his new EP, Prizefighter ( on iTunes ); Cesar Hernandez hosted the event.
Rodriguez spoke at length about her evolution from femme to butch lesbian, with humorous tutoring from late icon Vernita Gray. ( She called her instruction "Butch 101." ) Castillo's portion focused on his LGBT activism with his late partner John Pennycuff and the powerful ripple effect they created from Logan Square, along with his involvement with the Chicago gay press.
Both spoke in detail about the history and importance of coalition-building regardless of color, nationality, gender and age. At one point, Castillo stated that he and Rodriguez had disagreed on issues and goals in their activism, but that they had always kept the bigger picture in focus. One point Castillo made on queer Latino history was, "We have always been there through activism, demonstrating and reaching out."
Their portions were facilitated in an interview format with questions texted from the audience by moderator Emmanuel Garcia.
The event then kicked into high gear with spoken-word performances by Jade and LeShay Curtis, drag performances by Adrianna Teese and Milla Teese, and a short but energetic set by Ignacio, who sang "Aura."
Later in the evening, Emmanuel Garcia commented that Vives Q started two years ago in Little Village and is now in partnership with the National Museum of Mexican Art ( 1852 W. 19th St. ), which has hosted queer proms in the past. The goals of Vives Q are outreach and education as well as the creation of an open space for oral history to be shared between LGBT generations. Garcia said it is imperative for Vives Q to have equal participation for older and younger LGBT to accomplish it's mission.
Before the event, attendees dined on appetizers and had the option to undergo a free HIV test. After the event, guests mingled and met with mayoral candidate Jesus "Chuy" Garcia. Previous participants in Vives Q include Chilli Pepper, Norma Seledon, Mona Noriega and David Ernesto Munar.
The event was streamed live via Gozamos.com . The executive team behind Vives QAntonio Elizondo, Joshua Trujillo and Emmanuel Garciasaid the event would return in the summer of 2015.