Lady Gaga in Arizona, shared via twitpic

Last night, was the Lady Gaga concert in Phoenix, Arizona and that made me incredibly sad. In addition to this, all week long, Gaga had been posting pictures of herself out and about in Arizona. Out of all the pop stars out there right now, Lady Gaga is by far the most progressive. She has been particularly vocal in her unwavering support of LGBTQ rights. But she had yet spoken out against SB1070, the recently passed and partially stopped Arizona law that allows local police departments to ask people for their documentation as long as there is reasonable suspicion that the person is in the US unauthorizedly. I kept asking myself, and her via her twitter, does she not know that there are queer brown people too? Even more so, has she not seen that there are LGBTQ undocumented youth out there as well? Queer and Immigrant, after all, are not mutually exclusive groups. There are people out there who belong to both.

Apparently, however, she does know this. And last night, Lady Gaga publicly expressed her opposition to SB1070. Although stopping short of boycotting Arizona, during her concert Lady Gaga urged her “little monsters” to peacefully protest SB1070. Here is the video.

So waking up this morning to check my twitter, I was overjoyed to discover this. Lady Gaga had at last spoken on behalf of justice for all humans! For a very brief moment (incredibly brief, super brief, brief-ísimo), I caught myself wondering whether this scantly clad Lady Gaga was, in fact, God incarnate. But of course, that would be preposterous. No, Lady Gaga is not God in human form. She is just a compassionate human being. And I realized, that’s why I want to believe (at least partially) that she isn’t truly human. We have become so used to musicians, actors, and celebrities that take on “safe” causes like spaying & neutering your pets or human rights causes involving violations out there, that when a celebrity speaks out about injustices happening right here, aquí in the US, it almost startles me.

But should it startle us? Shouldn’t this be expected of people who hold the nation’s attention more so than politicians and elected officials? Yes, I am fully aware their job is not to express their opinions on various issues. I don’t expect Freddie Prinze, Jr. to go on the record and present his plan the California state budget. But, part of the struggle for human rights in the US is not political. In fact, I would argue, most isn’t political at all. The majority of the struggle is achieving change at a social level. This is where our celebrities are most needed. They can be agents of social change. They can contribute to the creation of a more accepting US society.

This of course, is a double edged sword. If we encourage our celebrities to speak out in favor of social change, we will inevitably also encourage those who want social change, but not necessarily for the better. Exhibit A: Karyme Lozano. But this shouldn’t dishearten us. We need to keep fighting for justice and keep being advocates for social change. History, after all, is on our side. And after last night, so is Lady Gaga. Although I’m not quite sure yet which one is better.

But what made it such a fitting end? Well, as activists, we often are forced to give up our social life for all the work that needs to get done, much to the chagrin of our friends, families, and loved ones. Every member of the United Latino Pride coalition has contributed their own time, money, and energy to ensure this week was a success. But not everything should be all work and no fun. Food, music, and yes, alcohol have a certain je ne sais quoi that allows even the most uptight among us, to let loose and celebrate.

Yes, a lot needs to get done to ensure that one day we may all be treated with dignity in this society that currently looks down upon us because of our language, our culture, our gender, and our sexuality. But, it does us all a lot of good to get together with friends, family, and loved ones and celebrate the life and love that we currently have. It reminds us all exactly why it is we are fighting for justice. It’s not just for ourselves, it’s for those we love most as well.

I can’t help but be a bit sad as I write this. I regret not being able to go to as many events as I had anticipated. However, I am also excited for next year. Who knows what is in store for us all. Let’s hope it’s bigger and better! A very big thank you goes out to all the members of United Latino Pride and all the organizations and sponsors for the events. Without all your tireless effort, we wouldn’t have had any of this. You are our real orgullo! ¡Hasta el próximo año!

Then I went to last nights event. It was the kick-off party for the first ever Chicago Queer Latin@ Pride Week at 2nd Floor Gallery in Pilsen. I had decided to go because I wanted to support fellow San Antonio artist Ana Fernández (yes, I am aware I’m not actually San Antonian, but I’m San Antonian adjacent). Upon arriving, I realized I didn’t know anyone! How is this possible? Had my year and a half in absentia in San Antonio really affected my network that much? I was starting to feel pretty pathetic. However, as time went on (and that refreshing vodka pink lemonade started to sink in) I began to work the room a bit. Or maybe I should say, the room worked me; I am after all, a bit of a pasivo

During one of the conversations with Vivian González & Lisa Martínez (co-founders of the soon to be launched Lesbian online publication The L Stop), I realized something. This is exactly why we need a Queer Latin@ Pride week. If someone like me, who [once] thought of himself as well-connected, isn’t at all, then what about everyone else? I probably have seen many of the amazing people at this event before. The problem is where did I see them. I most likely saw them, and they me, at a club or at Market Days. We probably didn’t give each other a second thought. Just another brown face in the mix.

But we need to give each other a second thought. We are the fastest growing ethnic group in the nation. Our voice, while always important, is becoming louder. And the talent is already here. I was very impressed with the work everyone is doing. But few people, outside of our small network (as I added all my new “friends” this morning on Facebook, I was surprised to discover we already have 16 mutual friends; go figure!), know of all that is going on. Queer Latin@ Pride week will allow us space where we can meet new friends and talk to many of the amazing leaders in our community. We are more than just potential make-out partners at Circuit or small talk recipients at Spin on Dollar Drink nights. We are potential business partners and collaborators. Possible allies and advocates in the struggles we are all mutually fighting for. After last night, I’m more excited than ever for this week. ¡Qué viva el Orgullo! Bring on the pink lemonade!