I Am the Queen

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

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.

Loading countdown...
Eliot Ness vs. Al Capone

Eliot Ness vs. Al Capone

2009

The Voice That Rocked America: The Dick Biondi Story

2023

What Is a Woman?

What Is a Woman?

2022

I Am the Other One

I Am the Other One

2019

Showgirls of Pakistan

Showgirls of Pakistan

2020

Lily: A Transgender Story

Lily: A Transgender Story

2020

Stormé: Lady of the Jewel Box

Stormé: Lady of the Jewel Box

1991

Laerte-se

Laerte-se

2017

The Fabulous Ones

The Fabulous Ones

2022

WooLife

2008

Urbanites - You Can't Rewind The Years

Urbanites - You Can't Rewind The Years

2010

The Way She Sounds

2024

The First Drop of Rain: Making MATAR

The First Drop of Rain: Making MATAR

2023

The Spider and the Fly

The Spider and the Fly

1938

Games You Can't Win

Games You Can't Win

2016

Leaned Back

Leaned Back

2023

Remembering Chicago Again

Remembering Chicago Again

1995

Pronouns in Bio

Pronouns in Bio

2023

Cooked: Survival by Zip Code

Cooked: Survival by Zip Code

2019

The John Wayne Gacy Murders: Life and Death in Chicago

The John Wayne Gacy Murders: Life and Death in Chicago

2020