On January 25, 2025, Seattle’s vibrant LGBTQ+ community gathered at Chop Suey in Capitol Hill for "Latin Gay Pride", a dance party and celebration that boldly honored Latin culture and queer pride in the face of political adversity. Organized by renowned drag queen and activist Kaina Martinez, the event reaffirmed that Latin queer pride will not be silenced.
The night was a showcase of international talent and dynamic performances. The community enjoyed electrifying acts from Dixie Bee from Puerto Rico—known as the #1 Karol G impersonator, Fifi Estah from Mexico— Season 5 winner of La Más Draga, and from Portland, new and upcoming performer recently crowned Baby Qween S2, La Mama Dora. Venezuelan dancers Antonio and Dragniel from Salt Lake City further enriched the lineup, embodying the spirit of togetherness that Kaina Martinez has cultivated by uniting talent from across the nation and beyond. As Martinez emphasizes:
" My goal is to bring our party to different cities, to spread the message of Latin queer culture, to be loud about expressing that immigrants are here, gay people are here; we are a part of this country, and we aren’t going anywhere.”
The atmosphere was one of unity and celebration, with a diverse crowd eager to embrace both the music and the message. The dancing took off with the infectious beats of DJ Ken Hop, whose mix of salsa, reggaeton, bachata, and other Latin rhythms was the perfect soundtrack for the night’s revelry.
Beyond the captivating performances and dancing, the event brought the power of community collaboration. Local Latin LGBTQ organizations including Vaqueros de Seattle, Eskandala, and Entre Hermanos joined forces to promote the celebration, highlighting how collective effort can amplify marginalized voices. As DJ Polo, producer of Latin Night Eskandala remarked “When we work together, big things happen.”
The dance party organized by Kaina Martinez initially began in Portland, Oregon, as a dedicated space for Latin LGBTQ+ individuals to celebrate their identity without compromise. Kaina saw an opportunity to expand her vision to other cities. Determined to preserve the authentic spirit of the event and reflecting on her mission, Kaina Shared,
“The reason we do this is to show up and show out because of all the political nonsense happening in the US. Now more than ever, we need to represent, #sinmiedo. Us Latinos—we are the future of this country”
In a time when legislative attacks on LGBTQ+ rights and immigrant communities are intensifying, Latin Gay Pride was more than a festive gathering—the event not only delivered unforgettable performances but also reinforced a powerful message of visibility, resilience, and unity.
Kaina Martinez’s celebration of Latin queer pride stands as a resounding testament that, even in politically challenging times, marginalized voices will continue to rise, dance, and shine. Nights like these remind us that every celebration can be both a defiant proclamation of identity and a celebration of community solidarity.
3 comentarios
Cuando vienen a Houston ?
Necesitamos más en eventos como estos
Me encanto