FRIEND OF THE COMMUNITY | Inducted 2020
Ever since the National Museum of Mexican Art (NMMA) opened its doors in 1987 inclusivity has been part of its mission statement, and recognition of the LGBT community is a strong component of that mission. Too often LGBT people of color have been forced to choose between the race or heritage and their queer identity. The NMMA has made it possible for Latinx within a cultural context to celebrate their full identity. NMMA’s policy of inclusivity has been made without announcement or fanfare, just a policy of acceptance.
Among some of the numerous NMMA events and displays that highlight this inclusion are: the Sor Juana Festival (1996) named after the lesbian scholar and poet Sr. Juana Ines de la Cruz; hosting Llego Encuentro, a national Lantinx LGBT conference (1998); hosting Homofrecuencia, the first Spanish language LGBT radio show in American history (2002); hosting a reception for The Gay Games (2006);co-sponsors of “La Prietty Guaman”, a play about a transgender Mexican woman (2018); and, since 2003, hosting the annual Queer Prom, serving between 150-200 youth each year.
The programming at NMMA has always intentionally included LGBT artists and performers, programming and displays. Carlos Tortolero, NMMA president has stated that the LGBT community is like a relative of a family that deserves a place at the table.
Such a history of inclusion is what makes the National Museum of Mexican Art a true “Friend of the Community.”