Hollywood Rarely Gets It Right, But These LGBTQ+ Latino Love Stories Slap
Love stories are a mainstay in Hollywood. Who doesn’t like watching two people find their perfect match and fall in love? There are messy moments that we relate to and moments of pure joy that fill our hearts. LGBTQ+ Latino love stories just hit differently because that kind of representation is so rare. We all know that seeing yourself reflected in the media can change the outcome of your self-esteem and self-love. Here are a few examples of LGBTQ+ Latino love on full display in Hollywood. It’s hard enough to see Latino people lead in films, so these special examples of LGBTQ+ Latino love are extra special
Love, Victor (2020, Hulu)
Love, Victor is a coming-of-age love story that centers on the Latino lead character, Victor Salazar (played by Michael Cimino). It takes place in the same world as the movie that preceded the show called Love, Simon. During the show, Victor comes to terms with his sexuality before telling his family and friends. The result is a private, anonymous message expressing the same feelings and feelings for Victor. As Victor tries to figure out the mystery person contacting him, we learn about his friends, family, dreams, and life. Centering a young Latino boy coming to terms with his sexuality is a powerful reminder that love is love and the fear of coming out that exists for LGBTQ+ people.
One Day at a Time (2017, Netflix/2020, Pop)
A remake of the popular TV show of the same name from the 1970s to 1980s, One Day at a Time is all about a Cuban family in Los Angeles. The Alvarez family experiences a lot during their time together, from the fear of immigration arrests to Elena Alvarez (played by Isabella Gomez) coming out as a lesbian. Despite her nerves about coming out, her family surrounded her with love and supported her. The support allowed her to explore her feelings for her friend Syd. We get to see a young Elena create a relationship that blends in seamlessly with her family. It is one of the sweetest LGBTQ+ Latina love stories out there.
Mosquita y Mari (2012)
Mosquita y Mari follows two Chicana high school students in Los Angeles. The two girls have different experiences. Mosquita, whose name is Yolanda, is college-bound and focused on her future. Mari is helping to keep her family afloat after the death of her father and the tireless work of her mother. The two are assigned as study partners in school, and over the course of the movie, the two events push them closer together. What starts as a friendship quickly develops, but neither Mosquita nor Mari know how to express what they are feeling. The chaotic relationship is reminiscent of high school love that you can’t quite explain.
Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe (2022)
Set in 1987 in El Paso, Texas, two Mexican-American teenagers, Aristotle Mendoza and Dante Quintana, explore feelings that come from their friendship. The two characters meet and share a summer filled with experiences that solidify their friendship. The two seem to drift apart when Aristotle has to move to Chicago for a year. Yet, Aristotle moves back and finally expresses his feelings for Dante. At first, Dante is repulsed and retreats from his friend, but a violent attack brings the two back together. The whirlwind comes to a sweet conclusion worth watching and experiencing firsthand.
Cuatro Lunas (2014)
Step into a world with four LGBTQ+ Latino stories unfolding at the same time. In one story, a young boy becomes infatuated with a male cousin and has to hide his feelings out of fear. Another story follows a couple who find themselves in a love triangle when another man enters the picture. An older gentleman puts effort into making his fantasy of sleeping with a male escort come true. Another story follows two friends who reunite and start a relationship, even though one fears being found out. The four stories show how love, self-acceptance, and lust work in ways that we don’t always see. Yet, the representation of conversations and real-life experiences within LGBTQ+ communities is a stunning look at LGBTQ+ culture.
