“The universe sends you your family. They are sent to us. We don’t pick them. We just love & nurture them…the children nurture us as well, just because we are elders doesn’t mean we can’t learn from the young.” hector xtravaganza, 2018

hector xtravanganza was a founding member of the house of xtravaganza and had been a member since 1982. he became an integral part of the house after founding house father hector valle aka hector xtravaganza died in 1985.

as hector’s profile grew in the ballroom scene, he would become much more than an influencer. he served as mentor, parent and teacher to countless black and latinx trans & queer young people in and out of the ballroom scene. most recently, he served as consultant and advisor for the hit television show “pose.”

this past october, hector and the entire house of xtravaganza was featured in a new york magazine article celebrating their resiliency and icon history.

in november of 2018, hector was included on poz magazine’s “the poz 100” list, a annual lists highlighting people living with hiv who are creating change in their communities. the profile celebrated his work and activism in hiv prevention and treatment access.

grandfather hector xtravaganza, who legally changed his last name to xtravaganza in the earlier 1990’s, because that’s what icons do, died on december 30, 2018. he was 60 years old.

rest in peace, hector. thank you for being a light during our darkest times and keeping the light on so that we all know where to go in the dark.