FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Monday, May 23, 2022
Media Contact:
Carolina Gamero
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310-893-9038
Hispanic Federation’s FUERZAfest Celebrates First In-Person Return Since Pandemic, Boldly Affirms LGBTQ+ Expression
7th Annual Latinx Multidisciplinary Arts Festival Mobilizes Communities to Demand Lawmakers Support the #EqualityAct
NEW YORK CITY — Hispanic Federation celebrated the return of FUERZAfest, its signature Latinx LGBTQ+ festival, which ran from May 11th through 21st at the Julia de Burgos Performance and Arts Center. For the first time since the pandemic began, over a thousand community members and activists joined in person to see the diverse multi-day lineup of art exhibitions and film screenings. The event also mobilized participants to support the passage of the Equality Act - legislation that would protect gender and LGBTQ+ civil rights.
Amic heightened concerns over recent United States Supreme Court decisions and states that are ripping away protections from women and LGBTQ+ communities, FUERZAfest created a positive, culturally-sensitive space for dialogue and expression. The ten-day festival brought diverse communities together to support artistic risk-taking, incite creative collaboration and experimentation, and celebrate the rich heritage of Latinx queer artists and art. At FUERZAfest, participants were encouraged to contact their Congress members and urge them to pass the Equality Act, which would update federal law to protect LGBTQ+ people from harassment and discrimination in areas including employment, housing, education, and public spaces.
“The resurgence of anti-LGBTQ+ legislation and attacks on trans bodies have been devastating. Our bedrock of community comes from recognizing that our diverse identities and life experiences make us stronger,” said Frankie Miranda, President and CEO of the Hispanic Federation. “Over the past several days our Latinx LGBTQ+ communities have come together to unapologetically celebrate our existence and defend our shared humanity. It’s time for legislators to follow suit by upholding civil rights protections at the federal level so that LGBTQ+ individuals have a fair chance to provide a home for their families and access essential services without fear of harassment or discrimination.”
After years of sheltering at home and contending with social isolation due to the pandemic, FUERZAfest also offered an opportunity for individuals to reignite their connection to the LGBTQ community and renew their sense of belonging.
“We are proud to celebrate the rich heritage of Latinx queer artists and art,” said Mario Colon, FUERZAfest director and Vice President for Special Initiatives at the Hispanic Federation. “This event reminds us that we all deserve basic freedoms, whether it’s freedom in who we love, what we do with our own bodies, and how we express ourselves and pursue our goals.”
FUERZAfest opened with a bilingual writing and theatrical interpretation seminar offered by Spanish author and director Carlos Be, based on “Wonderqueers” – a dark comedy narrating the misadventures of a young Puerto Rican man, his uncle, and a homeless elder man, challenged daily by their hopeful dreams and worst nightmares in New York City. This was made possible with the support of Acción Cultural Española (AC/E).
On view throughout the event was Miguel Amaya’s art exhibition “Between Horn and Wing,” investigating the theme of duality through various binaries of light versus dark, masculine versus feminine, English versus Spanish, and indigenous aesthetics juxtaposed with familiar Judeo-Christian idols.
Several film screenings highlighted daily challenges and personal tribulations as told through the eyes of LGBTQ+ communities spanning the Latinx diaspora, including “Polvora en el Corzaon,” a film from Guatemala directed by Camila Urrutia; “Candela,” a film from the Dominican Republic directed by Andrés Farías; “Perfume de Gardenias,” a Puerto Rican-Colombian film directed by Macha Colón; and “El Apego,” a film from Argentina directed by Valentín Javier Diment.
“Queerly Bohemian,” a remarkable concert held on Friday evening reflected messages of social consciousness, queerness, and nostalgia, as performed by MILA and musical guest Joe Louis, two of Puerto Rico’s finest singer songwriters.
FUERZAfests’ one-act-play competition featured four riveting performances including “Buckle-Up,” a look inside social media matchmaking and generational differences presented by Cuarzo Blanco, Inc.; “Las Réplicas,” presented by Latinx Performance Ensemble portraying the limits of love and survival in the wake of Puerto Rico’s earthquake; “Las Mártiras,” presented by Pablo García Gámez, on coming to terms with the devastating effects of transphobia; and “La Pietá,” presented by “Bsou” Repertory Theater Company about transgender love and acceptance in Harlem.
On Saturday, hundreds joined to watch “Turn it Up,” choreographed by Carlos Falú- a special dance showcase and enjoy the festival’s culminating event, the FUERZA Award Ceremony, where Hispanic Federation announced the following winners of the one-act play competition:
- Outstanding Performance in a Supporting Role: Josean Ortiz, Las Réplicas
- Outstanding Performance in a Leading Role: Braulio Basilio, Las Mártiras
- Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble: Las Réplicas
- Best Playwright (Abniel Marat Award): Leo Cabrales Grant, Las Réplicas
- Outstanding Achievement in Directing: Fernando Vieira, Las Mártiras
- Best Production: Las Mártiras
In 2016, Hispanic Federation launched FUERZAfest to celebrate a vibrant community and raise attention to systemic barriers and challenges faced by Latinx communities, including anti-LGBTQ legislation driving violence and bigotry. Since then, events have been held in New York City, Connecticut, and Orlando to create a space for dialogue and awareness of the systemic barriers and threats faced by the Latinx communities.
