The Envoy

The Hunter Latinx Dance Club and Queer Student Union (QSU) hosted a collaborative event celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month on Oct. 10.   

The event, called “El Apagón,” highlighted the importance of queer and Latinx identities, creating an inclusive and welcoming space for all participants to embrace their heritage and foster connections within the community. 

“El Apagón” expressed these characteristics of Latin culture through dance and music. Club organizers brought the space, Thomas Hunter 105, to life with catchy tunes playing over speakers such as “Mañana Será Bonito” by Karol G, “Vivir Mi Vida” by Marc Anthony and “Es Un Secreto” by Plan B amongst other Latin artists.  

The music created a lively atmosphere that brought everyone together to enjoy a night filled with laughter and joy. Adding to this vibrant scene were flags representing countries, such as Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic, which allowed attendees to feel as though they were back home. Organizers further enhanced the space by adding pride flags to showcase the intersection between the LGBTQ+ and Latinx communities. 

Koemi Peña, president of the Latinx Club, spoke about the bridge between the club’s mission and the objectives of Hispanic Heritage Month.  

 “Although we are a newly established club, I wanted to ensure that we highlight all Latino cultures at Hunter,” she said. “Whether it’s Dominicans, Puerto Ricans, or Colombians, we celebrate every country that identifies as Latino. For Hispanic Heritage Month, our goal is to showcase the appreciation for each culture and highlight the diversity within them. Most importantly, our mission is to create a safe space where individuals from these backgrounds can come together to embrace and explore their beautifully diverse cultures.” 
 
By performing Latin dances such as salsa, bachata, and cumbia, Peña said the club wanted to create a space at Hunter “where anyone of Latino descent, or anyone eager to learn more about Latin culture, can do so freely.”  

Through working together, the clubs gave attendees the opportunity to understand the unique intersection between these identities.  

“Many queer Latinos often go unrecognized within the Latino community, where religion plays a significant role,” said Litzy Antonio, president of QSU. “As a result, numerous queer Latino students feel they lack a safe space to truly be themselves.” 

Throughout the evening, students participated in various culture-oriented activities. Dance demonstrations led by club members allowed participants to learn the steps of popular dances like salsa and bachata.

Although some were hesitant at first, club leaders helped students feel welcome and safe by slowly guiding them through the ethnic dances. As the night went on, and more people came onto the dance floor, the event slowly began to feel as though all of South America joined the party.

 “I love events like these because they promote broader cultural awareness and appreciation, which is crucial in a diverse city like New York. Sometimes, that diversity can get lost in translation amongst the chaos of city life,” said Denise Rodriguez, a student majoring in media who attended the event. “Having a designated space to listen to music, enjoy familiar foods, and connect with people who share similar backgrounds reinforces the importance of these clubs.”  

Nathalie Albarracin, a sociology major, also shared similar reasons for attending the event.

“What drew me to this event is the sense of Latinx solidarity and seeing people my age come together to celebrate our culture. I’m eager to learn more about my heritage, my country, and where my family comes from. I hope to discover the beautiful aspects of being Latinx,” she said.  

“El Apagón” served as a reminder of the strength found when individuals unite. In the spirit of Hispanic Heritage Month, the Latinx Dance Club and the Queer Student Union began to lay a foundation for a more inclusive community at Hunter, where everyone has the freedom to celebrate their identity.  

For both clubs, this is far from the last event. The Latinx Dance Club will be hosting several dance classes along with two different celebrations of Peruvian and Ecuadorian culture this semester, while the Queer Student Union is getting ready for a festive Halloween bash.  

Interested students can keep up to date with either club through Instagram at @hunterqsu and @hunterlatinxdance, as well as joining their group chats and mailing lists provided on their social media.