By: Samy Nemir Olivares – Fuerzafest 2024
Photos by: Krystal Pagán
The country’s first LGBTQ Latinx Arts Festival organized by Hispanic Federation featured artistic performances for two weeks and is preparing for its 10th anniversary edition in 2025.
The LGBTQ+ Latinx Arts festival FUERZAfest, hosted by Hispanic Federation (HF), the nation’s premier Latino nonprofit member organization, closed its 9th edition this month at the LGBTQ Center in New York after two weeks of artistic and cultural programming led by LGBTQ+ and Latinx artists ahead of Pride month.
“In times when LGBTQ+ and Latine communities are being targeted across the country, arts and culture platforms like FUERZAfest represent a powerful platform to educate, inspire and share our collective stories,” said Mario Colón, founder of FUERZAfest and Vice President for Special Initiatives at Hispanic Federation.
Under the theme “The Power of Art to Drive Social Change” the festival featured a theater tournament, queer films night coordinated by Valeria Avina and Nicole Marquez, poetry and open mic by Nilton Maa, and a comedy show led by Gabe Gonzalez, all events led and featuring LGBTQI+ Latine artists.
“The LGBTQ+ community has made an innumerable amount of contributions to policy, arts, and culture and we are thrilled to create a space to celebrate their accomplishments and vital role in the Latine community and beyond at FUERZAfest.” said Frank Miranda, first queer President of the Hispanic Federation.
FUERZAfest came at a time when the LGBTQ+ community has been targeted with hundreds of anti-LGBTQ+ bills introduced in legislatures across the country, and Latine immigrants facing numerous barriers and discrimination.
The festival honored with the Visibility Award, Pierre Jean Gonzalez and Cedric Leiba Jr, actors, producers, advocates and co-founders of DominiRican Productions. “We continue to show the world that we are proud of our Queerness, we are proud of our Latinidad, and we are proud to be a part of a community that continues to be resilient and continues to thrive.”, said the couple who spoke also abou the need to address racism and colorism within our communities.
Every year, FUERZAfest provides a space for all audiences to learn about these issues and to artists to critically think about these issues through the arts as a tool for education, awareness, and inspiring action to transform these realities into advocacy, activism, and action.
“From comedy to drama, Mexico to Puerto Rico the stories we curated addressed the themes of joy, gender, freedom, equality, sexuality and relationships within the context of being Queer and Latinx.” said Valeria A. Avina, and Nicole Marquez, curators of the film night programming.
“In the opening dance performance “Conexiones” we created memories, provoked nostalgia, and became sentimental about the places where we move, the moments we live, and the connections that we create as queer and Latine people.” said Carlos Falú, Afro-Latinx featured performer and dancer.
Comedian Gabe González was the coordinator of the Comedy Night, which was “an irreverent evening of stand-up comedy, drag performances, audience games about LGBTQ+ Latine history and a few fun surprises.”
Jandel Camilo, Dominican actor which starred in the play “Raw” said “FUERZAFest is a movement, it’s a safe space, catalyst of change. Seeing all of us work together and uplift each other’s work made me feel very proud of my community. We’re not only showcasing our talent, we’re healing, advocating, saying here we are, claiming a space. Our play “Raw” was a story about a gay dancer and a sexually fluid astrologist expose how unforgiving it is to live as an immigrant in NYC while trying to achieve their dreams. Their struggle is not only being undocumented, but also being queer.”
The festival is ramping up to celebrate its 10th year anniversary next year running from May 17 (Int. Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia) until June 1 (beginning of Pride month).
FUERZAfest invites artists, writers, actors, dancers and the artistic community in general to follow FUERZAfest to stay tuned by following in Instagram (@fuerzafestofficial) or visiting website: www.fuerzafest.org to get updates and announcements.