Salina EsTitties emerged as a significant figure in Los Angeles’s queer and Latinx community, earning national recognition through her participation in Season 15 of RuPaul’s Drag Race. Known not only for her vibrant performances, EsTitties is a passionate activist advocating for equity and combating stigma within various marginalized communities.
This Thursday, she is set to join the Los Angeles Blade, Latino Media Collaborative, and CALÓ News for Diálogo – Pride, Power & Progress, where she will discuss the vital intersection of journalism, identity, and social impact. EsTitties underscores the importance of recognizing unsung heroes within the community who tirelessly advocate for marginalized groups, including undocumented individuals and trans youth.
EsTitties expresses gratitude towards community leaders who guided her during her most difficult times. “Those kinds of people helped me when I was 19, 20 years old, running the streets, homeless, on drugs,” she acknowledges. Their unwavering support provided her with a life she now enjoys, performing in drag and embodying her unique identity.
Discussing her own journey, EsTitties reflects on the challenges posed by traditional Latinx masculinity and machismo culture, which once hindered her expression. She recalls her early struggles with insecurity while navigating drag in a community influenced heavily by rigid gender norms.
“I was so hyper-fixated on the masculinity of it all,” she admits, leading her to step away from drag temporarily. It was through renewed self-acceptance and community engagement that she reclaimed her place in the drag scene, finding strength in blending her masculine and feminine identities.
EsTitties believes it is crucial to embrace all forms of masculinity and femininity without vilifying them. “I don’t think it’s something we have to demonize or villainize; it’s about not making it greater than,” she explains. This perspective fosters inclusivity within both the queer community and the broader Latinx culture.
As a leading voice in both drag performance and social justice, EsTitties champions the need for open conversations around pressing issues like immigration and ICE raids. She emphasizes that normalizing dialogue about undocumented individuals is critical in combating stigma. “No one should be treated the way that they’re treating human beings right now,” she asserts, pointing to the fear and anxiety faced by many in her community.
In her efforts, EsTitties is committed to real representation and fights against the marginalization of queer individuals in Latinx spaces. She highlights the resilience and strength of queer Latinx people in the face of systemic barriers and societal prejudice, encouraging them to be proud and vocal about their identities.
As she prepares to contribute to the Diálogo event, EsTitties hopes her visibility can inspire younger generations to advocate for themselves while challenging societal norms. “I just hope that I can be one of those people who is like: ‘I’m going to do it regardless of whether you think I can or not,’” she asserts.
The upcoming gathering aims to foster powerful discussions on representation and social justice, illustrating how vital it is for diverse voices to come together for equitable change. Through her activism and artistry, Salina EsTitties exemplifies unapologetic pride and calls on others to rise above challenges, embracing the vast spectrum of identities within the LGBTQ+ community.
image source from：losangelesblade
