WinterFest Highlights LGBTQ+ Creativity, Activism, and Community

WinterFest is more than just a holiday market; it’s a celebration of LGBTQ+ creativity, activism, and community. The event, born from a shared vision between Gaudencio Marquez, Oliver Alpuche, and Ryan Montez, to support queer small businesses, is a collaboration between DTLA Proud, Queer 360, and a network of more than 400 LGBTQ+ vendors, artists, and creators across Southern California.

Offering everything from handmade jewelry and art to vegan baked goods and inclusive designs, WinterFest highlights queer entrepreneurs while fostering connection and commerce.

Located in downtown Los Angeles, WinterFest features unique vendors, live entertainment, a fashion show, and opportunities to support local businesses. It serves as a cornerstone of DTLA Proud’s vision to revitalize a queer corridor in the area.

And the organizers of WinterFest say, “Pride month may be over but we are PROUD 365 days a year!”

Queerency: So first of all, tell me about how WinterFest began? 

WinterFest Team: WinterFest has been a long time coming.  Oliver, who founded DTLA Proud has always had a vision to support queer small businesses and has been doing so through DTLA Proud as well as through their ART Community Center.  Gau and Ryan from Queer 360 have been collaborating with Oliver for a few years now, supporting both DTLA proud as well as Pride Days at the BLOC where we hosted about 15 queer vendors for 2 days.  In addition, Gau and Ryan in the past 4 years have developed relationships with over 400 queer vendors, artists and creators locally in Southern California with a goal of continuing to uplift, support, and advocate.  

Over the past year or so, WinterFest became an idea to create a space where queer vendors, artists, and creators were the central focus; where we invited the community to come and shop and get to know the vendors while also having a good time in community and celebration.   Also, Oliver has been working to revitalize a gay corridor in the DTLA area.  This event would become a part of this vision.  In terms of why now––what better time to initiate this than during the holiday season. We are also facing a time where our community is being targeted at a political and social level that we felt it’s important to continue creating spaces to celebrate and be in community.  

Queerency: What types of vendors can attendees expect? 

WinterFest Team: We will have 60+ vendors with an array of unique and handmade products.  Vendor products span from folks selling jewelry, clothes, art, beauty products, skin care, oils, baked goods, candles, and so much more. Some of our vendors include:

• Ethical Punk: Trans Chicano jewelry designer who challenges the gender binary and toxic culture of masculinity by adorning the spirit.  
• Minneci Makers: Lesbian couple and custom wood engravers offering hats, earrings, bookmarks, and so much more. 
• Ase Illuminations:  Focuses on ancestral healing through natural herbs 
• DeGlasse: South LA based contemporary erotic & glow stained glass creations 
• Elements of Pride: A brand that helps everyone be seen through their inclusive periodic table of 65+ gender identities and sexualities 
• Sneaky Vegan: delicious vegan baked goods 

Queerency: Why is it important, now more than ever, to uplift LGBTQ+ businesses?

WinterFest Team: We understand the importance of creating space for and by LGBTQ + folks.  Safe spaces that celebrate and uplift us.  We also understand the importance of uplifting our local communities by investing in local businesses.  This is our way of encouraging folks to invest in each other.  When we purchase from local, small businesses, we are putting money straight into the pockets of our community. 

We also understand that people start their businesses because of a love for something, a passion, or because they want to get away from the 9-5 hustle and bustle, and we want to support people living their dreams.  

Especially now, as we see the increased attacks on our community, we have to come together to invest, support and celebrate each other.  

Queerency: What is the most rewarding part of the event?

WinterFest Team: The community!  The celebration!  When vendors share they are happy with their sales.  When vendors share their appreciation for these safe and celebratory spaces.  

Queerency: What entertainment can people expect?

WinterFest Team: Secret Circus will be curating the stage where we will have live band performances, acrobats, and so much more.  We will also have a fashion show showcasing vendor products.  We will have a bar and a dance area to enjoy while also shopping.  

Queerency: Any fun surprises in store?

WinterFest Team: Acrobats and live music.  We will also have a sound bath to start the day.  

Queerency: What impact and legacy do you hope Winterfest will achieve?

WinterFest Team: We hope to have a quarterly event like WinterFest.  We hope to create a space that uplifts, celebrates and supports queer community.  

For more information on WinterFest visit https://sickening.events/e/dtla-proud-winter-fest