(This story was featured in Vol. II • No. 3 - July 2025)
Lotería nights in Laredo have long been a cherished tradition, filled with family, food, laughter, and connection echoing through backyards and barrios. But now, a fresh and dazzling twist is changing the game. It’s called Jotería, a queer reinterpretation of the classic Mexican bingo game, and it’s bringing new energy, stories, and visibility along La Frontera.
What sets Jotería apart isn’t just its playful reinvention of the cards. It’s how it weaves together queer identity and local culture in a way that feels authentic and empowering. Created by and for the queer Latinx community, Jotería replaces traditional icons with bold, unapologetic Loteria characters who represent a spectrum of queer experiences. Each game is a celebration of lived realities, inside jokes, cultural pride, and the vibrant spirit of queer Latinx life. It’s campy, heartfelt, and deeply rooted in cultura.
Here, El Catrín steps aside for El Chismoso, and La Dama gives way to La Draga. These reimagined cards tell stories that often go untold, highlighting the humor, struggles, and resilience found within the queer community. Through these images, Jotería creates space for identities that have historically been marginalized or erased.
In Laredo, a city defined by the meeting of cultures and generations, Jotería fits naturally. It honors tradition while making room for new narratives. This isn’t just a game night, it’s a gathering where queer people from all walks of life come together to connect, celebrate, and find belonging. Visibility shines through the lively energy of the game and the vibrant presence of local drag queens, creating moments of joy, connection, and cultural celebration every time the cards are called.
The excitement came alive on June 13 at Frontera Beer Garden, a beloved local spot where the border breeze meets laid-back vibes. Hosted by Laredo’s own The Drag Haus, Jotería nights are an unforgettable mix of entertainment and community spirit. With queens on the mic, live music, cold drinks, and plenty of laughter, the event feels like a family reunion with a dash of glitter and sass.
The queens don’t just announce the cards, they bring them to life, infusing each moment with humor, heart, and cultural pride. Watching queer joy shine under the open Texas sky, surrounded by chosen family and friends, reminds everyone why these spaces matter so deeply. For many in border communities, events like Jotería provide rare opportunities for connection and celebration.
Beyond the game, Jotería sends a powerful message: queer culture is alive, vibrant, and vital here. Each shout of “¡BUENAS!” and every flipped card is a radical act of affirmation a testament to the strength and diversity of the queer Latinx community. It’s a joyful resistance, a reclaiming of tradition, and a celebration of identity all rolled into one.
Jotería at Frontera Beer Garden is more than a game it’s a safe space where queer culture thrives, stories are shared, and everyone is welcome.
(Valerie González is a fronteriza and multidisciplinary artist whose work is rooted in the vibrant culture of the U.S.-Mexico borderlands. With a deep passion for content creation, she weaves storytelling, visuals, and lived experience into powerful reflections of her community. Through her lens and narrative, everyday border life becomes both art and archive.)
