thegranvarones

yesterday, after wrapping up a gran varones interview in san francisco, we got an email notification that we had 59 new followers. initially, our thought was, “wow, spamming it lit af* on tumblr today.” after checking out some of the blogs of the new... — yesterday, after wrapping up a gran varones interview in san francisco, we got an email notification that we had 59 new followers. initially, our thought was, “wow, spamming it lit af* on tumblr today.” after checking out some of the blogs of the new followers, it was clear that these followers were legit. we then started to feel excited but we still trying to figure out what caused this beautiful surge. the answer came in form of an email. turns out that tumblr boosted our project for pride month! even tumblr’s description of our project is amazing and on point! we legit began to cry.
this past week has been nothing short of spectacular. on wednesday, the latino glbt history project hosted an exhibition our project as part of their latinx pride events in washington, dc. thank you to chrsitopher rivera for reppin’ gran varones and holding it up at the event.
on thursday, we were invited by the philadelphia office of lgbtq affairs to be a part of the city’s pride kick-off event and the raising of the city’s new pride flag which includes the addition of black and brown stripes to signify the city’s commitment to black and brown LGBTQ community members. shout out to varones alexander velez for reppin’ gran varones and juan david franco for taking amazing photos.
we are so, so full gratitude and thank you all for your continued love and support.

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sanctuary is found on the dance floor. spirits are filled and pain is paused. last year’s attack at pulse night club in orlando, during latino night - was an attack on all of us who have ever feared loving openly in public.
today, we mourn the loss... — sanctuary is found on the dance floor. spirits are filled and pain is paused. last year’s attack at pulse night club in orlando, during latino night - was an attack on all of us who have ever feared loving openly in public.
today, we mourn the loss of 49 people. today, we speak their names.
today, we stand with all those who were and continue to be impacted by the pulse night club attack.
as pride month continues, remember to remember that PRIDE IS STILL POLITICAL and it is STILL NECESSARY! REMEMBER that we are NOT alone.
love louder, rage more and march harder!

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today is national HIV long-term survivors day. today we honor, celebrate and continue to stand alongside the long-term survivors of the HIV epidemic. this year’s theme is HIV Resilient. there was a time when surviving and thriving with HIV was... — today is national HIV long-term survivors day. today we honor, celebrate and continue to stand alongside the long-term survivors of the HIV epidemic. this year’s theme is HIV Resilient. there was a time when surviving and thriving with HIV was science fiction - but here we are. still existing and still resisting!
many of us have defied the odds. and we still have years to go! we salute you and know that many of us are here because many of you fought for the possibility for us just to simply be. thank you.
“because even AIDS, stigma, homophobia, racism, white supremacy, violence and oppression can’t keep us from rising. and when we become ancestors, we will continue rise in the voices of those who speak our names without shame.

so keep rising varones because resurrections are real.”

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So it’s pride month y'all and I came out twice! Both have been very bittersweet.
I was about 15 years old when I told my parents I was gay. I was 20 years old when I told my parents I was HIV positive. Looking back on it now as a 24-year-old, these... — So it’s pride month y'all and I came out twice! Both have been very bittersweet.
I was about 15 years old when I told my parents I was gay. I was 20 years old when I told my parents I was HIV positive. Looking back on it now as a 24-year-old, these past 10 years have been filled with milestones. Yo! Shit hasn’t been easy. I have cried but with every tear came laughter. I have fallen but continuously gotten back up - every time. I have experienced heart breaks over and over and over and still use my heart to guide me.
In these past 10 years, I have met so many inspirational people. Some longer than others and others shorter but felt like forever. I have learned more about myself. as much as I tried to deny I am my father son. I am his son. Attitude and all! And my mothers too! Goodness, I’m extra dramatic! But I love it.
I have tried to live each day like it was my last day. In the short five years that I have been living and thriving with HIV, I am always reminded that “You can either lay there and let it consume or you can get up and do something…” A wise woman who I adore, even though she is a pain in the ass told this.
This means so much more to me than just being gay or being HIV+. This means owning who are you and what you believe in. Owning the fact that no one can take your magic away from you. Pride is about resistance and claiming your place in this world. This is my message to myself and to anyone who will listen to me. LoL
- Jorian Rivera, Philadelphia

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Louie: So it’s Pride Month – what was the first gay club you ever went to?
Brian: It was a club in New Orleans called club fusions. I was 18 and I went with my older brother. I remember being so uncomfortable because it wasn’t was I was used to. I... — **Louie:** So it’s Pride Month – what was the first gay club you ever went to?
**Brian:** It was a club in New Orleans called club fusions. I was 18 and I went with my older brother. I remember being so uncomfortable because it wasn’t was I was used to. I remember getting hit on all night and after my brother got a couple drinks for me I let loose and started to enjoy myself. I moved to New Orleans right after high school to live with my dad. My mom thought it would be a good idea for me to get out of Philadelphia.
**Louie:** When did you move to Philly? Was the change good for you?
**Brian:** I’ve been raised in and out of Philly most of my life. And as far as Philly being good for me at that time in my life, no. I needed structure and I was going down the wrong road being here which is why my parents made the decision to send me to Louisiana. The scene was such a culture shock for me when move there. I was completely ignorant to anything other than Philadelphia. When I moved back it was like I never left and nothing changed.
**Louie:** Things are looking up with your engagement, huh?
**Brian:** Yes, well I’m actually legally married as of March 18, 2016. My husband was a blessing that I always say “fell out of the sky” when I thought about giving up on love he taught me how to again and made me believe that happiness is possible. I knew then I had to tie him down. LoL
**Louie:** So I always get asked, “Are you Latino?” or “Are you ‘full’ Latino?” It irks my life. Do you get that question?
**Brian:** Not all the time but I do get the question what are you mixed with lol and as soon as I say Dominican people are like “Aahhhh, that’s what it is.” LoL
**Brian Rodriguez, Philadelphia**
*Interviewed and Photographed by: Louie A. Ortiz-Fonseca*

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My name is Alexander Velez and I am representing the Gran Varones. The Gran Varones is a legacy project that uses the art of storytelling to lift the voices of Latino & Afro-Latino Gay, Queer and Trans men. We stand alongside with Juntos, the Black... — My name is Alexander Velez and I am representing the Gran Varones. The Gran Varones is a legacy project that uses the art of storytelling to lift the voices of Latino & Afro-Latino Gay, Queer and Trans men. We stand alongside with Juntos, the Black and Brown Workers Collective and GALAEI to demand that Carolina Cabrera Digiorgio resign as CEO of Congreso.
As an Afro-Latino queer man, I don’t have the luxury and privilege of separating my life from my politics. My mere existence is a political act of resistance. I, along with other varones, are Congreso’s target population for their HIV prevention programs. We are also the target of Trump, who seeks to not just build wars to keep us separated from our families, healthcare, and life-saving HIV treatment, but he seeks to build walls of oppression that threaten to crush our very existence. Carolina Cabrera Digiorgio is in complete support of Trump and because of this, we demand that step down from her position as CEO.
As an Afro-Latino queer man, I know that silence equals death. I want you all to know that our loud protest is in the name of every who died and fought for an AIDS health care system that now allows Trump supporters like Carolina Cabrera Digiorgio to be in a position of power. Her support and any support of Trump’s racist and fascist regime is a threat to our lives.
Our loud protests are for all of the varones who once layed on hospital beds with a sinking t-cell count counting the minutes until you could hold down your food.
Our loud protests are for all of the varones who avoided looking into mirrors because the sunken face reflection did not reflect the beauty you behold.
Our loud protests are for all of the varones who pieced themselves back together piece by piece after the violence of stigma left them broken and beat.
Our loud protests are for all the varones who survive life by surviving one night at a time.
We salute you.
We praise you.
Because even AIDS,
Stigma,
Homophobia,
Racism,
White supremacy,
Oppression
and whack ass Trump supporters like Carolina Cabrera Digiorgio will not scare us into silence.
We stand on the side of liberation. Carolina, which side are you on?
- gran varones statement at today’s community protest in front of Congreso de Latinos Unidos demanding that congreso’s ceo step down.

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every damn time i hear justin bieber’s voice on “despacito.”
also peep the video of justin pretty much saying “fuck you” to the song as he sings “blah, blah, blah” and other words like “dorito” and “burrito.”

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standing solidarity with the puerto rico national strike. our young people, teachers and families all over the island, we send you love & light in the quest for liberation.

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