Latino Boys Magazine Columnas

Calix Gustav Gallery

Tedy Behr: Ok Adora, now that it s finally over, what was your favorite thing during the Art Basel week?

Adora: I really liked the local shows like Miami Independent Thinkers, Baselita and many other grass roots events staged by local artist run groups.  But, the image that really stayed with me was the triptych photo by Jonathan Stein of this cute guy in drag beaten up and with the word ‘FAG’ carved into his forehead at the Calix Gustav Gallery on NW 29th Street. The three images of him as a boy, in drag and as the bloodied, gay bashed victim are so powerful they stayed in my mind even after all the art we saw.  I loved the title of the piece, “It’s Just make-up.”

It’s that time of the year again…Thanksgiving! A time to celebrate togetherness with family, have a big meal and endure a mountain of passive-aggressiveness while passing the salt over the table. Some people like to think of this day as their favorite childhood memory being recreated year after year. I like to think of my Thanksgiving dinners with family as “El Show de Cristina.” It’s also the time when turkeys everywhere wear signs on their necks that read “EAT MORE HAM, PLEASE.” I am sure there are many things we could be thankful for and I am glad there is a special day to remind us of that, but do we really need to glorify this day so much when its origin has been so misconstrued?

What is it about Halloween and the horror genre that holds an interest for queer folk? At first glance, it seems strange for queers to want to turn to horror, when that's often what our lives involve. There is the threat of many sexually transmitted diseases, the religious harassment, hate crimes, discrimination and prejudice…not to mention fluorescent lighting, Formica coffee tables and poorly decorated apartments. But no matter who we are, fear is an emotion triggered by danger, and courting danger is a great way to feel alive.