On Sept. 26, the Center hosted its fourth annual Queerceañera, bringing together artists, community leaders, and supporters for a celebration of Latine Heritage Month and the LGBTQ+ Latine community of Los Angeles.
This year’s event marked a new chapter for Queerceañera as a philanthropic event supporting the Center’s programs and services. In total, the event raised $75,000 to support the Center’s life-saving work.
“Queerceañera is about celebrating the vibrancy and joy of queer Latine life in Los Angeles—and making sure those experiences are seen, valued, and centered,” said Oliver DelGado, Chief Marketing & Communications Officer, Los Angeles LGBT Center and founder of Queerceañera. “That’s what makes this event so meaningful: We’re celebrating who we are, honoring where we come from, and investing in the future of our community.”
The Los Angeles LGBT Center has been a beacon of light for me in some really tough times.
Suzy Exposito, honoree
Under the theme Siempre Contigo (Always with You), this year’s event honored award-winning journalist and cultural tastemaker Suzy Exposito and the multidisciplinary artist and musician Cain Culto. RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 8 alum Naysha Lopez hosted the event, with DJ Love Baila keeping the celebration going throughout the night.
“The Los Angeles LGBT Center has been a beacon of light for me in some really tough times,” said Exposito. “I want to thank every person here for showing up, for being your beautiful, varied selves. The queer community is such a rich tapestry and by showing up here, you’re showing up for each other and our communities at large.”
After accepting their awards, Culto and Exposito sat down for an intimate conversation about their work, identities, and the experiences that have shaped them as queer individuals with Latine heritage. Culto also took to the stage for a special performance featuring music from his newly released debut album, CULTO.
“To be recognized tonight by the Los Angeles LGBT Center, surrounded by a community that celebrates our heritage, our freedom of expression, and all the intersections that make us who we are, means more than I can say,” said Culto. “I encourage you to embrace your complexity, your contradictions. Follow your creative instincts. We need your genius now, in this moment in history. Look around tonight and feel inspired. Carry all of it with you as you move forward.”
Since its launch in 2023, Queerceañera has grown into the Center’s signature Latine Heritage Month tradition, reimagining the traditional quinceañera as an inclusive queer community cotillion centered on pride and belonging. Proceeds from this year’s event will support Center programs and services—including healthcare, housing, HIV and STI treatment and prevention, legal services, mental health care, and more.
“Thank you to the Los Angeles LGBT Center for partnering with Gilead Sciences for this year’s Queerceañera,” said Michael Barajas, Executive Commercial Partner at Gilead Sciences, Presenting Sponsor of this year’s Queerceañera. “The event creates an important safe space for young queer Latine folks to share their narratives, which is critical now more than ever.”
This year’s event was made possible by the support of Presenting Sponsor Gilead Sciences, along with Official Sponsors United Airlines, Wella Company, and Andy Ortiz & Peter Nielsen, and Supporting Sponsor Blue Shield of California.
Read More
Mariposas Sin Fronteras: Queerceañera 2025 Honors Lushious Massacr and Oliver Alpuche
“Small But Mighty”: Eastside’s Mi Centro Shaping Up as One-Stop Shop for LGBTQ+ Refugees
Introducing Center Ride Out: A New 3-Day Ride for the Los Angeles LGBT Center
