On May 9 at Vio Cafe and Grill in Pilsen, the United Latin@ Pride (ULP) unveiled the schedule of events for its upcoming annual lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, intersex and allied Latina/o Pride Week.
"The Latino/a community in Chicago is growing, and with it so is the LGBTQQIA Latina/o community," said Jessica Carillo, co-chair of the ULP Board. "United Latin@o Pride Week gives us the opportunity to come together as a community and celebrate the work that is already being done, while tackling homophobia, transphobia, and biphobia where it counts: in our neighborhoods and in our families."
Kicking off the week of June 2, ULP organizers will host a fashion show, highlighting LGBTQQIA Latino/a designers and models. In addition there will be a keynote speech from Chicago Gay and Lesbian Hall of Fame inductee Rick Garcia, policy director for the Civil Rights Agenda.
"As we have done in previous years, we want to acknowledge the artists in our community," says Carillo. "This year, we will be showcasing the work of LGBTQQIA Latina/o fashion designers here in Chicago. But, most excitedly, our keynote address will be given by Rick Garcia, a leader in the LGBTQQIA community who is often credited, among many other things, with securing civil unions in Illinois."
United Latin@ Pride Week will also include a social for transgender Latino/as and their allies; a panel discussion on marriage equality; a youth summit and fashion show; the annual ULP summer dance; a group discussion on gender expression; and more events.
United Latin@ Pride Week 2013 will run June 2-9. All events hosted during ULP week are open to the community and are free of charge. For more information and for the full schedule of events, visit unitedlatinopride.org .
Schedule of events:
—Sunday, June 2: Opening Reception and Fashion Show @ Supreme Fabrics (Near North), 6-9 p.m.
—Monday June 3: Express Yo' Self: A Plastica and Craft Party (a discussion in partnership with Amiguitas and Dyke March Collective on gender expression in the Latin community) @ YSP (Humboldt Park), 6-9 p.m.
—Tuesday, June 4: A social gathering and screening of a film on trans Latina activist Barnby Salcedo @ Rumble Arts Center (Humboldt Park), 6-10 p.m.
—Wed., June 5: "Spirituality in the Latin LGBTQQIA Community" (a group discussion about the intersections of faith and sexuality in the LGBTQQIA community) @ Vio Cafe (Pilsen), 6-9 p.m.
—Thursday, June 6: "Marriage 360: A panel discussion on the complexities of Marriage Equality and the LGBTQQIA Latin community" @ Cathedral Cafe (Little Village), 6-8 p.m.
—Friday, June 7: Youth Leadership Summit and Talent Show @ Corazon Community Center (Cicero), 6-10 p.m.
—Saturday, June 8: Annual Summerdance Event with dancing, food and games in Pilsen, TBD
—Sunday, June 9: Doggie Day At the Beach @ Belmont Harbor Dog Beach, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
—Sunday, June 9: Cafe Con Allies @ Catrina Cafe (Pilsen), 4-6 p.m.
—Monday, June 10, Unite for One Night @ Dolphin (21+)
