LHP announces plans for ninth annual DC Latino Pride
Celebration of Latino heritage and progress coincides with 15th anniversary of Latino GLBT History Project
The Latino GLBT History Project has released plans for its ninth annual DC Latino Pride, set to kick off this upcoming weekend. The celebration spans two weeks and overlaps with the larger Capital Pride. It’s structured around four major events: a Royal Court coronation, a panel discussion, a religious service and a major dance party, with more than 40 different organizations sponsoring the festivities.
The kickoff event, “La Coronación,” takes place on May 31 at Cobalt and provides Pride attendees with a chance to meet this year’s Royal Court members: Miss Trans LHP Gabriela Garcia, Mister LHP Carlos Padilla, Miss LHP Emily Morazán and Miss LHP Drag Alessandra Conde. A suggested donation of $10 at the door supports LHP’s ongoing educational and cultural programming and other activities.
At La Plática, held on June 4, panelists will reflect on the progress of LGBT Latino activism in D.C. The panel includes Jose Gutierrez, founder of LHP, Ruby Corado, executive director of Casa Ruby, Letitia Gomez and Maria Alejandra Salas-Baltuano. The event also features a reception, a community resource fair, free HIV testing, and a digital historical exhibit in partnership with the Smithsonian Latino Center. “La Misa,” a Spanish and English bilingual LGBT-inclusive interfaith service at the Metropolitan Community Church of Washington D.C. is slated for Saturday, June 6.
DC Latino Pride wraps up on Thursday, June 11 with a bash at Town Danceboutique. “La Fiesta,” the official dance party of DC Latino Pride will feature April Carrion from RuPaul’s Drag Race, Season 6 and a dance party featuring DJ Joel el Especialista of El Zol 107.9 FM, with performances by Gia Sky Martinez, the DC Gurly Show, DC Kings and Latin Soul DC. Proceeds from the event help support LHP’s activities.
“We’re celebrating 15 years, so we’re trying to go bigger this year,” LHP President Jose Plaza says. “Traditionally, we think of Pride as just celebrating. But it started as part of a rebellion, so I think it’s appropriate and in keeping with the history of Pride that we talk about these larger issues affecting our community, and look to where we’re going in the future.”
DC Latino Pride kicks off with La Coronación on Sunday, May 31, at 10 p.m. at Cobalt, 1639 R St. NW. The La Plática panel discussion takes place Thursday, June 4 from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Human Rights Campaign, 1640 Rhode Island Ave. NW. La Misa is Saturday, June 6 from 6 to 8 p.m. at MCCDC, 474 Ridge St. NW. La Fiesta is Thursday, June 11, from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. at Town Danceboutique, 2009 8th St. NW. For more information, visit latinoglbthistory.org.
Support Metro Weekly’s Journalism
These are challenging times for news organizations. And yet it’s crucial we stay active and provide vital resources and information to both our local readers and the world. So won’t you please take a moment and consider supporting Metro Weekly with a membership? For as little as $5 a month, you can help ensure Metro Weekly magazine and MetroWeekly.com remain free, viable resources as we provide the best, most diverse, culturally-resonant LGBTQ coverage in both the D.C. region and around the world. Memberships come with exclusive perks and discounts, your own personal digital delivery of each week’s magazine (and an archive), access to our Member's Lounge when it launches this fall, and exclusive members-only items like Metro Weekly Membership Mugs and Tote Bags! Check out all our membership levels here and please join us today!
You must be logged in to post a comment.