Partygoers were treated to food provided by Chef Toni and festive music by the group Jarochicano Xicago as they mixed and mingled prior to the awards ceremony. Coya Paz, board secretary of Amigas Latinas, presented the scholarships and awards to the honorees. The four scholarship winners were Viviana Moreno, Jacqueline Carmen Salgado, Alicia Figueroa and Emilia Chico. Two people—Lu Rocha and Tania Unzueta—received the community award. Finally, Paz presented the inaugural Diamente award to Zaida Sanabia. “Affinity is so inspired by the work of Amigas Latinas and looks forward to deepening our relationship through shared space and collaboration,” said Kim Hunt, executive director at Affinity Community Services.
Mona Noriega, one of the founders of Amigas Latinas said, “I love this event! It is such a great way to celebrate both our queer and Latino identities ‘unapologetically’ as stated in the Amigas Latinas mission. It is wonderful that we can celebrate in such a beautiful environment, and the fact that the National Museum of Mexican Art continues to support Amigas Latinas, the queer prom, and other queer events tells you that our communities are overlapping and dynamic.” “As co-founder I am proud of and humbled by the ongoing work of the board, staff and volunteers. What I love about the Siempre Latina gala is the diversity of its audience, which shows that Latina queer issues are universal and matter to everyone,” said Evette Cardona. Text by Carrie Maxwell; photos by Mel Ferrand