‘I Am the Queen’ out on DVD, On Demand
Four women preparing for a transgender beauty pageant in Chicago’s Humboldt Park, a predominantly Puerto Rican community, share their unique stories, in I Am the Queen.
The 75-minute documentary, co-directed by Henrique Cirne-Lima and Josue Pellot, was an official selection at the Chicago Latino Film Festival and is now out DVD and On Demand platforms.
I Am The Queen follows Bianca, Julissa and Jolizza as they prepare for the Vida/SIDA Cacica Pageant under the guidance of Ginger Valdez, an experienced transgender mentor from the neighborhood. These trans women share stories of their transition, their relatives’ varying reactions, and how they find support from within the community.
Homolatte’s anniv. show Oct. 20
Homolatte—called the longest-running queer-performance series in the country—will mark its 15th anniversary Tuesday, Oct. 20, at Big Chicks, 5024 N. Sheridan Rd., at 7:30 p.m.
The event (which Scott Free hosts and Lars von Keitz co-produces) will feature Congress of Starlings, Robert McDonald, Deb R. Lewis, Carrie Lydon and Dave Awl.
Homolatte started in October 2000 at the Willow Cafe on Thorndale Avenue, and was originally called “Grinder,” as the owner thought “Homolatte” was too strong a name.
See Homolatte.com.