#qlatinx

We remember exactly where we were the morning the news broke. We remember the shock and grief that rendered us unable to process. We remember everything, everywhere, and it’s kind of an obituary. We remember not knowing what to do with all of the love and rage sitting in our chests. We still don’t. But we still remember the faces and names.

This week, Q-Latinx, a grassroots racial, social, and gender justice organization in Orlando, held an ofrenda to honor the 49 lives taken at Pulse. With candles, marigolds, photographs, and prayer, Q-Latinx created space for collective remembrance, rooted in queer Latinx tradition and resistance.

Born in the aftermath of the tragedy, Q-Latinx emerged to fill the void left by institutions that failed to meet the needs of the queer and trans Latinx community. What began as a healing space quickly grew into a powerful organizing force, centering queer and trans voices of color in the fight for justice, safety, and joy in Central Florida.

Pulse is not just a tragedy to remember. It is a reminder that every drag show, every house party, and every Latin Night where we are free to be ourselves are ultimate acts of survival and resistance. And for all the queer young people finding their first dance floor, we pray that they experience exaltation.

Nine years later, we still mourn and dance. We follow the lead of survivors, and we speak the names of the 49.

One by one. Out loud. Again and again.

Anthony: So where did you grow up?

Christopher: I am from South Florida, I grew up there. Then I moved to Orlando in 2010.  I grew up in Naples, South Florida and Naples has historically always been a conservative town. It is where a lot of retirees go and people that occupy that space make decisions on the behalf of people in the community, are very old-school in their way of thinking. Even like community of colors, they’re just like very, very old-school. So there wasn’t community for queer people and when I was graduating high school, I was thought I need to go somewhere and find people that are like me. And I started to research neighboring cities that really support queer people and Orlando was one of them. Miami was one too but I decided to come here because it is not as fast-paced. I mean, Miami is great but it’s a lot to take in especially when I was just trying to get a handle on who I was.

Anthony: So how do you like Orlando?

Christopher: I love Orlando, its home. I got to build a lot of really strong relationships with people here. My first steps in activism are rooted here. I came into my queer identity here and recently came into my Latinx identity as well.  

Anthony: How did you come into your Latinx identity?

Christopher: As I got older and as I experienced life, I recognized that I am more than just my queer identity. There are things about me that me that my white friends don’t have to go through because they have white privilege. And as much adversity they have to face with being queer and Trans, there’s another layer that people like us we have to deal and that is because of our Latinidad. So I had to do a lot of exploration and really understanding our history because growing up, I wasn’t taught that. And so being surrounded by other Latina, Latino, Latinx people, who were also queer, was just really inspiring, really powerful. Because it was like, “Wow, oh shit, you’re like uber queer or really Trans fem and you’re Latinx también.” That’s awesome. It’s like growing up with the people I grew up with but having a more deep-rooted connection with them beyond just Latinx. But also being able to chill, talk bullshit, and just be queer. So that’s kinda how I came into those two roles. And then more recently, with everything that’s been taking place here in Orlando, I think it’s really important that my Latinx identity really shine out and that I really push that forward more than I ever did before.

Anthony: How are folks beginning to heal?

Christopher: So it’s a struggle, it’s an ongoing struggle and it’s going to continue be a struggle until there is proper place for us to heal in community. But I know that in speaking with folks and telling them that we started this queer, Trans Latinx organization just to be in community with one another, a lot of them are like “That’s amazing because we have never had that before.” I hang out with my Puerto Rican friends and all the Mexicans are over there, and all the Hondurans live over here, and all the Ecuadorians live over here, and so we don’t interact. So to be able to create a group and a space for people from differently identities can come together and just meet each other and be with each other and heal with each other has been really well received.

Christopher J. Cuevas, Orlando, Florida

Follow and support @qlatinx

Interviewed by: Anthony Leon

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