Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with Laura Rivas
Laura Rivas
In this profile series, Revry is highlighting authentic contributors to the LGBTQ media and entertainment community. We ask questions to find out who they are and where they are going in the future. Revry celebrates the spirit of the Latinx community during Hispanic Heritage Month and in this creator profile, we ask some additional questions in order to highlight the unique perspective of Latinx creators.
Laura Rivas is a director, writer, and executive producer of the digital series “Tiny Laughs”. Laura grew up in a primarily Latinx suburb in Los Angeles and credits her love for storytelling to her father. She states that her work ‘focuses on quirky female-driven comedies that champion voices of people of color.’ She enjoys swing dancing, cycling, and playing basketball. In addition to an active lifestyle, she likes to support different co-ops in her hometown community of South East Los Angeles.
You can read Laura’s first Revry profile here.
What does Hispanic Heritage Month mean to you?
This year’s theme, Esperanza: A Celebration of Hispanic Heritage and Hope is the epitome of Hispanic Heritage Month to me. Growing up in a primarily Latino community, I was surrounded by role models that included lawmakers, scientists, and artists. Their contributions have strengthened the fabric of society and it’s a joy to celebrate and honor our stories of perseverance, hard work, and culture.
What kind of stories do you feel still need to be highlighted for the queer Latinx community?
The queer Latinx community needs to amplify more transgender stories. It’s not enough to portray one-dimensional perspectives that focus on their transitions rather than the rich complexities that make up their life journeys. There’s also a deep need to represent the Queer Afro-Latino community, who has been othered for far too long.
What advice would you give to your younger self?
There’s so much I want to tell my younger self. I’ll quote my dad who always reminded me to live “sin miedo” (without fear). As a queer Latinx kid, I had to hide the things that don’t fit into the “perfect latino daughter” stereotype which does more harm than good. I would want my younger self to take more risks, in every aspect of my life.