Latin Queens: Unfinished Stories of Our Lives focuses on Toronto's Latino gay community
and their harrowing experiences in the countries they once called home. While the
interviewees (many of them transgendered) are vocal about the stability they feel
in living in Canada, many continue to live in fear of deportation as a result of their
sexuality. At the centre of the this film is the heart wrenching story of William
Granados, whose claim for refugee status is being denied on the grounds that Immigration
Canada feels his homosexuality is fabrication. Ironically, Granados was regularly
beaten and humiliated for appearing outwardly gay in his home country of Venezuela.
This documentary offers a glimpse into a tight knit community that has overcome great
obstacles to find the freedom to be true to itself, albeit in boas and fake eyelashes.
These Latin Queens need to tell their stories, and we need to hear them.
“Vancouver 12th Annual Queer Film & Video Festival.” Out on Screen, 2000.