By: Al Ballesteros
Diana Diaz sought to create a space that would help LGBTQ Latinas and Latinos find footing in their communities — someplace that could help them be more visible. This led her and a couple of friends to start the Queer Mercado in East L.A. More than three years later, the Queer Mercado is going strong with lots of vendors selling their arts and crafts at the monthly event that is well attended by the community.
Diana is the charismatic, fun and energetic organizer of the Mercado. You can find her making the rounds with all the vendors, greeting those new and returning attendees and making all feel welcomed like family.
The East L.A. Queer Mercado is a place for the Latino LGBTQ community to come together in a safe space to display art, culture and community. It is held on the third Saturday of every month, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the parking lot and adjacent park at the Hilda L. Solis Learning Academy at 4801 East Third Street.
We visited the Queer Mercado on October 19 to catch up on the happenings, which was also their Halloween celebration. Walking into the Mercado one is welcomed by vendors selling fresh fruits and vegetables, live fruit trees and plants. There are also booths selling tamales and other local treats to eat. Further into the Queer Mercado, various tents and booths host local community artists selling their creations to the public, those giving body massage and doing healing and community information tables. There is also a stage for Queer performers that provide a free show and scheduled entertainment throughout the day.
You can find many unique items, such as colorful handmade earrings, scented candles, buttons, plants, nick-nacks, paintings, clothing, pillows, scarves and much more. The Mercado draws attendees from across Los Angeles County and beyond.
1810 Culture is Pedro Campos’ brand of candles and scents which he says are inspired by his Mexican heritage. “Scents trigger memories so I try to do things that make people feel good.” Pedro started his business more than four years ago. Pedro says he makes everything by hand. “As you know Mexico is well-known for its artists and handcrafted works.” Some of the candles and scents he makes are Casa de Abuelita (Grandma’s House), La Curandera (The Healer) and Arbol de Mango (Mango Tree). Pedro is present at all the Queer Mercado days, and you can contact him at his IG @ 1810_culture.
Gabby Ramos says her works are based on “things that I like” “inspirations that I find everywhere.” She creates art pieces based on movies and music cinema like Ziggy Stardust, Robert Smith and retro favorites Bartman and the Care Bears. Gabby’s work includes handmade art and earrings. Her designs showcase her love for Anime and music based icons like David Bowie, and icons like Elvira Mistress of the Dark and the Retro Care Bears. Gabby says she will start making more personalized items for the community and one can get those created by contacting her either at the Queer Mercado or via her IG. You can contact Gabby at her IG at @GbysCrafts.
Gabby creates all the designs herself and is a talented illustrator for sure.
Adelante: What’s the source of your creativity?
Gabby: “True story, my father had passed away and doing this work has saved my life in many ways. I know my dad would be proud of me. I’m doing this all for my dad. I love you dad.”
The Queer Mercado also disseminates important information, including about health and wellbeing. “Today we are celebrating Halloween, Day of the Dead and calling attention to Breast Cancer Awareness. Cancer is the number one preventable cause of death among Latino communities and communities of color,” Diana says. Dressed in a frizzy colorful pink wig, Diana tells us “Everyone loves boobies, and its important to check your boobies, so go make your appointments for your regular cancer screenings.” “Our families need us to be healthy and they need us to be around.”
The Queer Mercado is the first permanent queer-family safe space in ELA. Diana is a school counselor and was inspired to create the Mercado by one of her students that came out to her. She says she had been looking for safe spaces in the community for LGBTQ people and her students would tell her that all the safe spaces they attended were on the west side. It was clear there was an urgent need for a safe space in ELA and so she organized the Mercado with the help of several friends from the LGBTQ community.
ChiChi is the host of the Queer Mercado who says one can find anything there at the Mercado and that it is for all ages, kiddos, teens, adults. “We have singers, dancers and drag artists; you can find all types of information here as well; we have organizations as well like Bienestar Human Services, services from LA County, from UCLA. If you need a Monkey Pox vaccine, we have that here as well as a Cafecito.
Adelante: What kind of reception are you getting for the Mercado?
ChiChi: For the folks who haven’t been here, they say they have been meaning to come; for the people that are here, they comment on how much they love this place. One of the things we have here is people feel this is an eclectic, inclusive space for different types of vendors; they tell me how much they enjoy the stage and the various artists that are on the stage.
ChiChi says the stage is for everyone and if one is shy but wants to participate on the stage as an artist, they should come out and give it a try. “This stage is for you.”
Overall, the vendors at the Queer Mercado say they feel a great sense of community. Many say they feel it is like family there, everyone knows one another and that the family just keeps getting bigger. Others say the Queer Mercado feels like a protected safe space in a part of the city that is not always as welcoming for Queer and Queer Latinos. And that it is a place free of judgement.
The Queer Mercado is also diverse. Everyone goes there, people that are API, Black, White and straight allies either to sell their products or to purchase items and enjoy the culture and performances. It is a very eclectic crowd.
The Queer Mercado is held the third Saturday of each month. Please get out to the Queer Mercado in November and December to support the artists, the community and become part of something great. Entrance to the Mercado is free and parking is free also. To see more photos, view our IG @AdelanteMag.