On Saturday, October 24, the legacy of Entre Hermanos, the voice of Washington’s Latino
LGBTQIA+ community, took center stage at Seattle’s Sheraton Hotel as supporters, community leaders,
longtime volunteers, and founding members gathered for the Día de Muertos Gala. Aleksa Manilla once again emceed. Rupaul Drag Race alum, Cythnia Lee Fontaine provided the entertainment.
The evening was filled with celebration, remembrance, laughter, and a few powerful reminders
that while we have come a long way, the fight for equality, dignity, and belonging is far from over.
Under the theme “First, Fearless and Forever,” the gala honored Entre Hermanos’s remarkable
journey from its grassroots beginnings during the HIV/AIDS crisis to becoming one of the Pacific
Northwest’s most important LGBTQIA+ service organizations.
The Día de Muertos tradition made the occasion especially meaningful. This year’s symbolic
colibrí, or hummingbird, represented the connection between the living and those who came before us. It
was a fitting tribute to the pioneers who helped build Entre Hermanos, including those who never lived
to see this milestone.
And if there was one message that echoed throughout the evening, it was simple: We are still
here, and we aren’t going anywhere.
Edgar Mack-Longoria: Building the next 35 years
Executive Director Edgar Mack-Longoria brought the evening’s mission into focus with an
emotional reflection on the organization’s history and the future he hopes to build.
In my earlier conversation with Mack-Longoria , he described Entre Hermanos’s history as a
“legacy of love,” connecting generations of activists, volunteers, staff, and community members who
refused to let their neighbors face discrimination, illness, or isolation alone. That same spirit was evident
in his gala remarks.
“More opportunity, more care, more love, and a safe place to belong. That belief continues to
guide us,” Mack-Longoria told the audience. “Our vision at Entre Hermanos is not simply for our
community to survive… It is for every one of us to belong, to succeed, and to thrive. Tonight, we honor
our past and celebrate the future we’re building together. From my heart to yours. Let’s celebrate 35
incredible years. Muchísimas gracias.”
Those words carried particular significance, considering how much the organization has grown.
What began as a community response to the AIDS epidemic now includes HIV prevention and medical
case management, mental health support, immigration legal services, advocacy, and expanded
programming reaching communities beyond Seattle.
But Mack-Longoria is not content to stop there. As he shared during our previous interview, his
ultimate dream is a permanent Entre Hermanos Center, a place the organization can truly call home.
After 35 years of moving offices, overcoming financial challenges, and adapting to the changing
political climate, that dream seems especially appropriate. After all, an organization that has spent
decades helping people find a place to belong deserves a home of its own.
“Our 35th Anniversary Día de Muertos Gala exceeded all our expectations! It was an extraordinary event filled with joy, culture, and an incredible outpouring of community support for Entre Hermanos. At a time of significant challenges for immigrants and LGBTQ+ communities, the evening gave us a powerful reminder of the strength of our community.” Mack-Longoria told me post event.
Bamby Salcedo: People power and a call to action
One of the evening’s most electrifying moments came from nationally recognized Transgender
activist Bamby Salcedo, who wasted no time getting the audience involved.
“When I say people, you say power. People!”
“Power!” came the response.
“People!”
“Power!”
It was part political rally, part community pep talk, and exactly the kind of energy the evening
needed.
“Yes, we have to be reminded of that,” Salcedo declared. “We do have power individually and
collectively. And we’re not going to let the crazy magatitos tell us anything else.”
Never one to shy away from speaking her mind, Salcedo addressed the political attacks facing
Transgender people, immigrants, and Queer communities across the country.
“Despite the craziness that they are doing against us,” she said, “I believe in the power of our
people.”
Her remarks were passionate, sometimes hilarious, and deeply personal. She also shared how
music has become an important creative outlet during these challenging times. Salcedo revealed that she
is now recording music under the artist name La Bambi Alejo, mentioning her songs “La Consolera” and
“Los Locos.”
“For me, that’s what it’s taking. It’s taking for me to escape, to write songs, to create music, and
to sing,” she explained. Who knew we were getting a future music star along with one of the country’s
fiercest Transgender advocates?
But beneath the humor was a serious challenge to everyone in attendance.
“If you really believe in social justice,” she told the audience, “then put your money where your
mouth is.”
Salcedo emphasized that organizations opposing LGBTQIA+ equality are investing in their
political power and that supporters of social justice must be equally committed to supporting
organizations such as Entre Hermanos.
“It’s important that we invest in social justice,” she said, urging guests to help sustain the
organization’s work for another 35 years.
Her message was clear: applause is wonderful, but action is even better.
Emma Moreno: Remembering the parties that built a movement
For longtime Seattle Queer community members, one of the most heartwarming moments came
when Emma Moreno, Entre Hermanos’s first executive director, took the stage.
And naturally, her memories began with a party.
Moreno recalled hearing the Spanish-language anthem “A quién le importa” and being
transported back to her days as Miss Gay Latina, riding through Seattle’s Pride Parade when the
celebration still traveled along Broadway.
“I remember that moment when I was Miss Gay Latina,” she said. “We were in the parade on
Broadway. Remember when the parade was on Broadway?”
She described remembering herself wearing her crown and sash, waving from the float as the
crowds cheered.
For those of us who remember those Broadway Pride celebrations, her story brought back
memories of a very different Seattle, when the neighborhood was the center of Queer nightlife, activism,
and community life.
Moreno also reminded the audience that Entre Hermanos knew how to throw a party long before
the organization had professional gala planners and fundraising teams. “Entre Hermanos has always
thrown the best parties,” she said, drawing laughter and applause.
She asked how many people remembered attending the Latino pageants, events that were as
much about fundraising and community organizing as they were about glamour. “Those parties were
amazing,” she said. “And we were always throwing parties. Every Sunday, as a matter of fact. Because
we were raising money.”
Behind the crowns, costumes, and music were countless hours of volunteer work, organizing
events, and raising the money needed to keep community services operating. Moreno laughed about how
different things were this year.
“We were at the table right now, talking about how hard we worked putting together the Latino
night, the Latino pageants. And today, being at the table and just watching, that was amazing. Instead of
working!”
That line received a well-deserved laugh. After all those years of organizing, she had certainly
earned the right to sit back and enjoy the party.
But Moreno’s greatest pride came from seeing how the organization has continued to grow. “I’m
really proud of having been the first executive director,” she said. “I’m also very grateful for all the
amazing people that have come after us.”
She praised Mack-Longoria and the generations of leaders who have carried the mission forward,
reminding everyone that the anniversary was about more than celebrating the past.
“We are here not just to celebrate 35 years,” Moreno said, “but knowing that we are here to
encourage everybody else to be with us, helping us for the future.”
It was a beautiful reminder that the work of the founders was never intended to end with them.
Honoring the founders and those we have lost
Another founding member, Agnes Figueroa, delivered one of the evening’s most emotional
reflections, recalling what it meant to arrive in Seattle as a young person and discover a community
willing to welcome them with open arms.
“When I got here, I found the sense of community and belonging that me and many others that
came here by ourselves found and needed,” the founder recalled.
That sense of belonging became especially important during the early years of the HIV/AIDS
epidemic. “Back then it was a very difficult time. There was a virus threatening to erase our community.
And there was very little information in our language.”
For Latino LGBTQ+ people, language barriers, discrimination, and limited access to healthcare
made an already devastating crisis even more difficult. Entre Hermanos emerged because community
members recognized that they could not wait for someone else to save them. They had to save one
another.
The speaker then drew a striking comparison between the AIDS crisis and today’s political
climate, describing current government actions against immigrant and LGBTQIA+ communities as
another threat to their survival and belonging.
But there was also a significant difference.
“Unlike the other time around, we are not by ourselves anymore,” Figueroa told the audience.
“We are surrounded by the support of all of you. And that’s not only your financial support but your
political support as well.”
The message became even more powerful as she reflected on the contributions of the many
people who helped create Entre Hermanos: “When we say fundadores of Entre Hermanos, Entre
Hermanos founders, it wasn’t just the handful of us. There were many others with us.”
Some of those pioneers are no longer alive. Others have moved away or could not attend the
celebration. Yet their contributions remain part of the organization’s foundation.
“And some of them who are no longer here,” she added. “And we have to acknowledge them,
their struggles, and their fights.”
It was a particularly moving moment for a Día de Muertos celebration, when remembering those
who have passed is not simply an act of mourning but an expression of love.
Figueroa concluded with a reminder that could have served as the evening’s unofficial motto:
“We are still here. We will not go anywhere. You know, we belong here.”
And then came the challenge.
“The job is not done. The fight is still there. The struggle is still there.”
More than a gala, a celebration of survival
Throughout the evening, the celebration served as a reunion for people whose friendships,
activism, and shared experiences helped shape Seattle’s Latino LGBTQIA+ history.
For longtime supporters, it was an opportunity to reconnect with the people who helped create
the community they know today. For younger generations, it was a chance to understand that the
services, visibility, and opportunities they now enjoy did not happen by accident.
They were built through sacrifice, organizing, fundraising, and more than a few fabulous Latino
pageants.
The gala also demonstrated how much Entre Hermanos has evolved. What once depended almost
entirely on volunteers now supports a professional staff and a broad range of services addressing
healthcare, immigration, mental health, and civil rights.
Yet the heart of the organization remains remarkably unchanged.
It is still about creating a place where people can feel safe, supported, and loved.
The political realities facing LGBTQIA+ and immigrant communities were never far from the
conversation, but neither was the joy. And perhaps that is what made this anniversary so meaningful.
Even in difficult times, our community continues to find reasons to gather, dance, remember, and
celebrate.
First. Fearless. Forever.
As I reflected on the evening, I kept coming back to something Mack-Longoria told me during
our earlier interview: “We’re still here and kicking butt.”
That may be the simplest and most accurate description of Entre Hermanos after 35 years.
The founders created something extraordinary during one of the darkest chapters in Queer
history. They built a community when many people had nowhere else to turn. They raised money
through pageants and parties, cared for friends dying of AIDS, and created a place where Latino
LGBTQIA+ people could finally see themselves represented.
Thirty-five years later, the organization is still doing what it was created to do: showing up for
people who need it most.
And while the anniversary was certainly a reason to celebrate, the messages from Edgar Mack-
Longoria, Bamby Salcedo, Emma Moreno, and the founders reminded everyone that anniversaries are
not finish lines. They are opportunities to remember where we came from and recommit ourselves to
where we are going.
The evening celebrated the past, honored those who are no longer with us and challenged a new
generation to continue the work.
First, because Entre Hermanos helped lead the way.
Fearless, because its community refused to disappear.
Forever, because the need for love, equality and belonging does not come with an expiration
date.
Here’s to another 35 years of community, advocacy, fabulous parties and, most importantly,
showing up for one another.
¡Felicidades, Entre Hermanos! The best chapters are still waiting to be written.
