The Queer Mercado heads to historic Olvera Street to support local vendors

For the past five years, The Queer Mercado has built a space on the Eastside for the LGBTQ community while uplifting Latino and queer-owned businesses, performers and artists. 

This weekend, the monthly market will move to Placita Olvera ahead of Pride Month in an effort to reach a new audience and support the historic site, which has struggled since Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids slowed foot traffic along its vendor corridor. 

“The vendors and merchants at Olvera Street have really been affected by ICE raids,” said Diana Diaz, founder of The Queer Mercado. “I think we have a lot of potential to bring community, to help the current vendors, to celebrate the lifelong patrons that have existed at Olvera Street … and to let Los Angeles know that this is another safe space that they can visit that includes them and their families.”

For years, the market has been held on the third Saturday of each month at the East Los Angeles Civic Center, but it will be moving to Olvera Street for the months of May and June, Diaz said. Depending on its success, the move may become permanent, she added. 

The Queer Mercado will take over Olvera Street for the first time on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The event will feature live performances from various musicians, a fashion show, an art crawl and multiple vendors and artisans. 

The event is also creating space for the legacy vendors at the Placita Olvera to open their doors to a new audience. For example, Juanita’s Cafe, which has operated on the strip since 1944, will offer a special “Queer Combo,” consisting of tacos and a free drink, for customers during the event.

For Diaz, bringing The Queer Mercado to the birthplace of Los Angeles represents the queer community’s decades-long fight for representation. 

“It’s so important for families of queer children or queer elders to know that Los Angeles has a space where they can feel safe … seen, they can feel supported, and can feel included,” Diaz said. “The merchants [of Olvera Street] are officially welcoming the LGBTQ community.”

The Queer Mercado is currently seeking volunteers to help with Saturday’s event. Those interested are encouraged to fill out an interest form here or send a direct message to the market’s Instagram page.