As Women’s History Month comes to an end, Adelita’s Revenge owner Yvonne Márquez is doing anything but sitting it out. Across the past three weeks and through to the next—along with the months ahead—she and her spectacularly small-but-strong shop inside the Vienta y Agua coffee shop has become an epicenter for queer women. And women of color. And pretty much anyone who is feeling the weight of racism, misogyny (including transphobia), homophobia, transphobia, or those not-so-slight-for-us aggressions that are dismissed as “it wasn’t intended that way” by those very aggressors.
“There is no time more precious than the present to gather our collective power,” Yvonne said. “That means escaping the walls of our homes. It means stepping from behind the screen. It means meeting face-to-face and celebrating one another.”
The events Adelita’s Revenge hosts go beyond the shop itself.
In a time when the president of the country is actively seeking to downsize the presence and existence of queer and undocumented people—from removing trans activists from the history of their involvement in the Stonewall riots to nearing a deal with the IRS to provide long-protected tax information in order to identify undocumented, tax-paying residents—Yvonne truly believes it is more important than ever to have events.
And not just defense- and knowledge-centric events—such as those that teach people their rights in encounters with law enforcement—but mental health, cultural, and celebratory events. Across March, Yvonne has hosted sound baths under the full moon of March 12, examining “rebirth and expansion when we’re under extremely challenging emotions, like the possibility of losing our home or getting physically assaulted,” Yvonne said.
She’s hosted art shows. Screenings of “Chavela,” where Spanish and non-speaking Spanish sapphists (and their allies) gathered together to watch in wonder the gender-bending, kindly-screw-yourself attitude of Costa Rican singer and queer pioneer Chavela Vargas. Spanish classes become potlucks, where guests share dishes over strengthening (and laughing about their lack of a full grasp on) Spanish skills.
“These are events to examine all of our complexities,” Yvonne said. “Our trauma and our happiness. Our moments of celebration and creativity. We need to be more cohesive. And, yes, that even means here in Long Beach. We have to see one another, physically. We have to grow with one another in ways that are not just digital.”
Adelita’s Revenge in Long Beach. Photos by Brian Addison.
The importance—particularly for young queers—to get over the discomfort of face-to-face interactions.
When it comes to Gen Z, they are a generation that got dealt one of the most socially fascinating smacks to a young generation—being forced inside with their parents thanks to the pandemic—and an onslaught of experiences and knowledge unlike anything other, from the outright horror of regular active shooter practice drills to the infinite edges of internet content and expression. They are—despite the pundits—rightfully anxious and, in turn, trepidatious with social and cultural exploration.
But for all young people—especially young queers—going outside with your own, meeting your elders, and learning the ropes are essential cogs to not just surviving, but maintaining one’s mental health stasis and intellectual tenacity.
“I had two girls—young girls—for the ‘Chavela’ night,” Yvonne said. “One was Black, one a little white girl. They came in so hesitant, quiet, even just outright shy. And afterward? They couldn’t thank me enough. And then this Black girl got up afterward and sang ‘Paloma Negra’ [Vargas’s famed song where, not altering the gender in the song, discusses how a woman broke her heart]. She told me she loved Latina culture and this was the first time she was able to express it in such a way. So I reminded her she is always welcome and she’s been to almost every event since.”
It is but one example of why the work of Yvonne—and her presence with Adelita’s Revenge inside Viento y Agua—is a clutch for the queer- and people of color communities.
How Adelita’s Revenge came to be—and what’s next.
Opening in July of 2022, Adelitas Revenge exemplifies many things—Latina-ness, Chicana-ness, queerness, womanhood…—but, first and foremost, it exemplifies love. Birthed out of pain—Yvonne lost both her nephew and best friend in the late 1990s, prompting her to reconnect to her heritage via offends—the space exudes joy and creation. Selena and Juan Gabriel and Frida candles. Handmade jewelry from makers across both sides of the border. Bilingual books for kids and young adults. Decor for ofrendas. Mock Aqua Net hairspray cans. (Your tía can explain to you if you don’t know.)
In this vein of celebration, Yvonne will be hosting three more events this month:
- “Firmly Rooted Yoga” come Mar. 27 from 6Pm to 9PM. (Bring a water bottle, a mall sweat towel, a yoga mat, and comfortable clothing.)
- A Caja de Guerrera wooden box workshop on Mar. 29 from 5PM to 7PM. (Materials provided—just bring your creative game.)
- And a “Cry now, smile later” seminar on Mar. 30 from 4PM to 6PM. It is described as creating “a sacred space for Latinas, Mujeres, and Chicanas to gather, heal, and rise together. We’re reclaiming this much-needed refuge, led by experienced facilitators who walk our path and honor our truths.”
Adelita’s Revenge is located at 4007 E 4th St. inside Viento y Agua.
