Reynaldo Rivera (born 1964) is a photographer known for capturing historic queer, transgender, predominantly Latinx scenes, such as clubs and house parties, in late 20th-century Los Angeles. Some of the clubs he photographed included La Plaza, the Silverlake Lounge, Mugy’s, and Little Joy.^[1] Rivera’s black and white photographs are known for their intimate documentation and focus on the everyday life and private moments of Latinx women, artists, and drag performers at the time.^[2] Rivera cites this as a type of activism since gentrification and a lack of public records of these individuals, many of whom die young due to violence, have led to the marginalization and erasure of these communities and cultures.^[3] In this way, Rivera is known for bringing visibility to queer, Latinx-Angeleno history.^[3]

Early life and career

Reynaldo Rivera was born in 1964 in Mexicali.^[4] Although his birthplace was Mexicali, he proceeded to move between many places in the United States and Mexico growing up.^[4] He now resides permanently in East Los Angeles, the site of the queer history he documents through his photos.^[4]

Rivera's mother and father, both born in Mexico, met in Stockton. After his parents separated, Rivera oscillated between living with his mother and his father.^[4] He navigated his childhood through various places, including Stockton, Pasadena, Mexicali, and Santa Ana, with his sister, Herminia.^[5] Although most of Rivera's time was spent with his mother in Glendale, there were times when his father would take Rivera to reside with him.^[2] Starting at the age of five, Rivera lived with his abusive grandmother, for four consecutive years after being kidnapped by his father.^[2] Thereafter, Rivera's father would often bring him from Glendale to the San Jaoquin Valley, where Rivera was exposed to his father's illegal activities.^[2] Rivera also had some run-ins with the law, such as when he was faced with charges in the sixth grade for selling drugs.^[2]

Rivera cites photography as a way for him to find stability.^[2] His first camera was a Pentax K1000.^[2] He began his career by photographing hotel cleaners.^[6] Rivera credits the employee at the film development spot he used for explaining the mechanics of his camera to him after his initial pictures were coming out blank.^[5] During his early pursuit of photography, he did not have enough money to afford all the film he needed, which he credits with necessitating his development of editing skills.^[5] His first piece was a 1983 selection aimed at bringing life to the site in Mexico City where his step-grandfather was murdered.^[2]

Rivera’s first professional gig when he entered his 20s was photographing live punk and rock music, such as that performed by Depeche Mode, Siouxsie and the Banshees, and Sonic Youth.^[6] From here, he transitioned to photographing drag bars, house parties, and queer clubs, especially in East Los Angeles, including La Plaza during the 1980s and 1990s.^[6]

Works, exhibitions, projects, collections

References