Mil Flores

I really wanted to love this show. I heard all the praise about LGBT+ representation and "latin" (in quotes because latino/Hispanic are inaccurate colonial labels for indigenous communities) context. Also love Vincent Rodriguez lll. But this isn't it. The fantasy of these latin lives portrayed is steeped in superficiality, where everyone exists in giant gorgeous houses and generational trauma is whittled down to "relationship issues". Also being poc and from the Pacific Northwest, I can say that this show paints a picture of Portland as some kind of diversity paradise. As such, the family portrayed is a very watered down, "tame" version of LGBT hardship within latin communities and families. I understand this is supposed to be a feel-good sitcom, but robbing a people and culture of authentic experiences only further complicates our relationship with ourselves. It also makes for, well, boring storytelling. This fantasy feels inherently white, upper-middle class, and still very entrenched in American ideals. I've heard many white friends say it's been "nice" to see latin lives on tv, but these are not latin lives on tv. This is a white-washed caricature.