Life & Work with Chichi Navarro of Los Angeles

Today we’d like to introduce you to Chichi Navarro

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Well, I guess we would have to start at the moment of inception, lol. I was born to two parents of Mexican descent, rooted in Catholic traditions and some conservative ideologies. The construct of gender has always been a significant part of my life, profoundly shaping who I am. From the moment my parents conceived me, gender was already at play. For my father, I was going to be his first son. For my mother, although I wasn’t her first son, I was the first boy she would raise with her new partner.

Although I was born in California, most of my childhood memories are set in Mexico. I remember attending school, going to catechism classes, visiting el centro for snacks, and riding my bike around the city—though it often got punctured and had to be patched at the local repair shop. While I have fond memories of my childhood there, some of my darkest memories also occurred during that time. I was raised by an aunt who was emotionally and physically abusive. Because of that environment, I never felt safe enough to express the confusion I had about whether I was a boy or a girl. My understanding of gender and sexuality came from TV, school bullies mocking my flamboyance, cultural events like weddings and quinceañeras, Catholic teachings, and even the trauma of sexual abuse. Thoughts of suicide became frequent; I often imagined jumping off the second-story home while hand washing clothes.

Eventually, I was brought back to Los Angeles to live with my parents. While escaping my abusive upbringing brought some relief, life didn’t improve much. I returned to Los Angeles in the 5th grade, where cultural differences were challenging, and bullying for my femininity intensified. I hated sports, adored the femininity icons of my cousin like Selena, and admired the glamorous gowns on TV and novelas. I dreamed of being one of the fabulous women in telenovelas. By middle school, I identified as gay and came out to my mother, hoping for her love and acceptance. Although she often extended kindness to others, offering meals, showers, and beds to those in need, she rejected my sexuality, calling it a phase I could overcome with the help of her God.

Her rejection—coming from the person who had saved me from suicide—broke me. My survival instincts told me to hide who I was, focus on school, and eventually leave home to live authentically. This led to a gap in communication with my parents. I navigated puberty without their guidance and avoided meaningful conversations, creating a void between us.

After years of struggling with and repressing my gender and sexuality, I’ve found acceptance and joy in exploration. I now appreciate the positive values my parents instilled in me—such as the belief that housing, food, health, and love are fundamental rights for all. These values have guided my journey in advocacy and civic engagement. I began working in the nonprofit sector and became a member of the Boyle Heights Neighborhood Council, where I honed my skills in community advocacy. Eventually, I transitioned to full-time community engagement.

Today, I find fulfillment in rediscovery. I serve as the host of The Queer Mercado of East Los Angeles, where I have the privilege of connecting with the LGBTQIA2S+ community and supporting entrepreneurs who often face systemic barriers. I am a commissioner for the City of Los Angeles Transgender Advisory Council, advising the city on creating a more inclusive and equitable environment for the TGI2S+ community. Additionally, I am a volunteer with AHF’s FLUX affinity group which helps support events worldwide to promote awareness and support TGI2S+ people.

I have worked as a consultant with organizations like Los Angeles City College, UCLA, and the California Science Center, among others. My advocacy continues through collaborations with LGBTQIA2S+ organizations like Equality California and The TransLatin@ Coalition, as well as various grassroots initiatives. Through all my experiences—the struggles and the triumphs—I remain committed to uplifting my community and creating spaces where everyone can thrive.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Rocky road honey, in addition to the challenges I faced during my childhood and early adolescence, adulthood has brought its own set of obstacles.

Living in an economy where healthcare is largely tied to full-time employment has made pursuing my dream of creating my own business particularly challenging. The constant fear of developing a disabling condition without access to adequate healthcare has been a persistent concern. Coupled with the exceptionally high cost of living in Los Angeles, building a sustainable livelihood has often felt overwhelming.

Beyond financial struggles, another significant challenge has been helping others recognize the value of hiring and/or providing adequate pay to someone like myself. Queer people—especially drag artists and transgender people—are frequently reduced to stereotypes and overlooked. We are too often seen solely as entertainers, kinks, or jokes, with our expertise and contributions dismissed, even when we bring valuable knowledge and unique perspectives. Society’s tendency to marginalize and minimize transgender people makes it all the more extraordinary when one of us is able to carve out space, create something meaningful, and defy the odds.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I primarily work as an event host and promoter, I am a drag and makeup artist, and am a consultant, helping organizations create workspaces that are inclusive, welcoming, and equitable for LGBTQIA2S+ individuals.

As mentioned before, I am the host of The Queer Mercado of East Los Angeles. I have hosted several events for queer entertainment groups such as Puteria, Cholita Club, Chupada, and many others. I have also worked hand in hand with several non-profit organizations to help support policy and community-building efforts including TransLatin@ Coalition, Equality California, The Los Angeles LGBT Center, and many others.

While I have had the privilege of collaborating with various reputable organizations, what I am most proud of is earning the trust and support of my community. I am first and foremost a community builder and advocate, and I am very fortunate that I am able to learn from and be in community with so many dedicated, caring, strong, and beautiful people

We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you?
I define luck as being prepared for when you are at the right place and the right time. On the flip side, being presented with opportunities which one is not prepared for. But, your girl is good on the fly and I always try to give it my best. Losing is not always a bad thing, not learning from your losses is.

Treating others the way you would like to be treated is a core value of mine. And although I have not always been the best son, best friend, best lover, or best person to others, I am putting in the work to become a better version of myself. Self-reflection and analyzing oneself critically is vital to learning and growing.

Learning to love myself has taught me how to love others unconditionally with all of their faults, the way that I wish to have been loved with all of my faults. Luck is insignificant when you have genuine support and love from others.

Pricing:

• Hosting/EMCEE
• Consulting: (LGBTQIA2S+ education)
• Drag/makeup services

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chichi_lapinga?igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==