I Am the Queen

A queen is more than her gowns, crowns and pronouns.

I Am the Queen — Plot

In Chicago’s Humboldt Park neighborhood, the Vida/Sida Cacica Pageant brings together members of the Puerto Rican community to celebrate its transgender participants. I Am The Queen follows Bianca, Julissa and Jolizza as they prepare for the pageant under the guidance of Ginger Valdez, an experienced transgender from the neighborhood. These trans women share stories of their transition, their relatives’ varying reactions, and how they find support from within the community. Family dynamics, cultural heritage, and personal identity all play a part in how the contestants face the daily struggle that comes from being true to themselves.

• Release date
• February 18, 2011
• Runtime
• 75 min
• Genres
• Documentary
• Director
• Henrique Cirne-Lima

I Am the Queen — Cast

G

Ginger Valdez Self

J

Julissa Ortiz Self

J

Jolizza Colon Self

B

Bianca Feliciano Self Jade Sotomayor Self