About 75 people attended United Latino/a Pride (ULP) fourth annual pride week kick-off event featuring a fashion show dedicated to the arts at Supreme Novelty Fabrics Company on June 2.
Founded four years ago, ULP is, according to their mission statement, "organized as a community of Latino/a LGBTQQIA individuals supporting and connecting initiatives that work to create awareness and celebrate the plurality of our identities."
Their vision is, according to their website, "a vibrant Latino/a LGBTQQIA community that is interconnected and positively engaged with society at large. We value inclusivity, respect, visibility, and pluralism."
Daniel Olvera, ULP public relations co-chair, provided words of welcome ahead of the fashion show featuring local queer latino/a designers Mister Junior and Eddie Couture. "This evening is all about the intersection of drag, fashion and gender performance," said Olvera.
Jerry Blossom, Vince Vice, Lupe Ortiz and Joel Campos showcased Mister Junior's creations. Then, a number of trans women and drag queens modeled Eddie Couture's glamorous evening gowns.
Following the fashion show, Olvera previewed ULP's Pride Week events.
All Pride Week events are free, except the Unite For One Night closing party that will be held Monday, June 10, at Dolphin Chicago Dance Club, 2200 N. Ashland Ave. Other events include a platica and craft party, a trans film and social, a community discussion about spirituality in the Latino/a LGBTQIA, a Marriage 360 panel discussion, a youth leadership summit and talent show, Summerdance, doggie day bar-b-que at the beach, and Cafe Con Allies.
Partners and sponsors for the event include Sin Cosmetics, Supreme Novelty Fabrics Company, Amigas Latinas, ALMA, Madness Productions, Lambda Legal, The L Stop, La Respuesta, mobilecitizen, Zona Rosa, Pilsen Chicago, Project Acceptance, the Center on Halsted, Youth Service Project, Corazon Community Services and many others.
See www.unitedlatinopride.org, www.facebook.com/UnitedLatinoPride or www.twitter.com/ULPchicago for more information.