Students and community activists met in Pilsen to plan a 'prom' for youth who identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning, and their allies. The planning committee, which is mostly Latino, feels it is important to create visibility for the queer community that already exists in Pilsen.
'Many young LGBTQQ people that attend high schools from the area don't get to enjoy their school's prom as other kids do,' said Tania Unzueta, senior producer of Homofrecuencia, a Spanish-language LGBTQ show that broadcasts from Radio Arte. Although this is not the first time that a 'prom' for LGBTQ teens is planned in Chicago, it is the first time in Pilsen, a predominantly Mexican neighborhood. 'That's part of the point,' said Unzueta, 'we want to create a safe space for us within our own communities. We want to be who we are, where we live'.
'We are in honor societies, in sports, in student organizations,' said Victor Gomez, another member of Homofrecuencia, 'but, we are still excluded from an event that is supposed to be a celebration of our high school experience'.
This will be the second time that Latino LGBTQ history is made in Chicago's Pilsen neighborhood. On Aug. 12th, 2002, Radio Arte launched Homofrecuencia, the first Spanish-language radio program in U.S. history targeting LGBTQ youth and allies.
Noche de Arcoiris Queer Prom 2005 will include entertainment with a drag show, music, and food. The event will take place at the Mexican Fine Arts Center Museum on Friday, May 27, at 7 p.m. The organizers invite all LGBTQ-identified youth and their allies ( adults, hetero and otherwise ) to join in this historic event. For more information about attending or volunteering, contact Tania Unzueta at tania@radioarte.org or ( 312 ) 455-9455 x 108.