The author Arnaldo Cruz-Malavé wrote a book called “ Queer Latino, Testimonio, Keith Haring, and Juanito Xtravaganza” he wrote the book to explain the life of Juan Rivera in the 1970’s. Arnaldo explained on the real difficulties and the good times that Juan Rivera had in his lifetime. Arnaldo explains on how the Hispanic communities were with in that time period were and how with the all the tribulations that Juan had and was able to succeed and overcome the their own obstacles while growing and living in New York City. Everything from his “Aids” crisis, to being a famous artist, and traveling the world. Arnaldo talks about Juan’s life. The book foucus on how the difficulties that Juan Rivera had as a gay man. Arnaldo also goes into one of
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Juan ended up in New Haven which was a Hispanic neighborhood in New York City. Juan never escaped to NYC for “the famed New York City lights” (Arnaldo) but to live his life as a queer man without small town minded people that he was surrounded by. He arrived in NYC in the late 1970’s and becoming trapped in a ” sexual emporium, fed by a surplus of impoverished, runaway, mostly inner-city kids, and fueled by drugs. In fact, as the drug trade increased during this period, the rhythm of sexual transactions.” (Arnaldo). Even with his hustling he was able to become a house painter, construction worker, a maintenance man a driver and a business partner. After meeting Keith Hering Juan would start his painting carrer. Keith Hering was the opposite of Juan because of his middle class upbringing with an education. Keith grew up in Pennsylvania in a small town called Kutztown. Kutztown was “ culturally segregated, mutedly homophobic, and reassuringly uniform environment” (Arnaldo) for Keith and felt suffocated in that small town and went to NYC to study art. Where he had the pleasure of experiencing of hip-hop, coded languages and gay movements. He then became interested in “Graffiti Art”. Hering’s art work was influenced by artists like “Gysin, Burroughs, and Warhol, as well as that of Genet and of East Village underground artists such as Charles Ludlam and Jack Smith, artists for whom homosexual desire was an access to difference”. In 1986 is when Juan and Keith met in the “Paradise Garage” and became partnered until Herring’s death. Both had interesting lives and grew as individuals escaping from any homophobic people. Even though each had a different experience they both wanted to live open as gay men which they were able to in
Juan ended up in New Haven which was a Hispanic neighborhood in New York City. Juan never escaped to NYC for “the famed New York City lights” (Arnaldo) but to live his life as a queer man without small town minded people that he was surrounded by. He arrived in NYC in the late 1970’s and becoming trapped in a ” sexual emporium, fed by a surplus of impoverished, runaway, mostly inner-city kids, and fueled by drugs. In fact, as the drug trade increased during this period, the rhythm of sexual transactions.” (Arnaldo). Even with his hustling he was able to become a house painter, construction worker, a maintenance man a driver and a business partner. After meeting Keith Hering Juan would start his painting carrer. Keith Hering was the opposite of Juan because of his middle class upbringing with an education. Keith grew up in Pennsylvania in a small town called Kutztown. Kutztown was “ culturally segregated, mutedly homophobic, and reassuringly uniform environment” (Arnaldo) for Keith and felt suffocated in that small town and went to NYC to study art. Where he had the pleasure of experiencing of hip-hop, coded languages and gay movements. He then became interested in “Graffiti Art”. Hering’s art work was influenced by artists like “Gysin, Burroughs, and Warhol, as well as that of Genet and of East Village underground artists such as Charles Ludlam and Jack Smith, artists for whom homosexual desire was an access to difference”. In 1986 is when Juan and Keith met in the “Paradise Garage” and became partnered until Herring’s death. Both had interesting lives and grew as individuals escaping from any homophobic people. Even though each had a different experience they both wanted to live open as gay men which they were able to in