The Transfigured Body (2003) is a multi-media performance piece celebrating

the life of Gwen Araujo, a slain transgender teenager and other LBT individuals

who have fallen victim to crimes of hate.

Featuring a music score by

Christopher A. Flores, lyrics / videography by Adrian Ravarour, video art / lighting design by R. Aaron Ruiz and costumes by Gustavo Gonzalez, the work

incorporates Aztec mythological themes and iconography, the cycle of birth,

life, death, transcendence and rebirth in a spiritual journey of affirmation, identity and being. This music / video performance includes the participation of Maria

Roman, Alexis Rivera, members of AguaLuna Dance Company and vocalist Joe Ponce.



The premiere performance will be held July 30th 7:00 at:

Metropolitan Community Church, Los Angeles

8714 Santa Monica Blvd.,

West Hollywood CA, 90069

Admission is free.

This event is co-sponsored by The City of West Hollywood and MCCLA.

The Transfigured Body

A Requiem In Celebration of Gwen Araujo

(2003)

The work is a Requiem in Celebration of the life of Gwen Araujo, a slain

teenager, and in memory of other young LGBT Victims of Hate Crimes who were

killed

due to their identities. Gwen Araujo, 17, a transgendered youth was murdered

in October 2002 when it was discovered that she was biologically male. Fred

A. Martinez, Jr., a two-spirited Navajo teenager, age 16, and Manuel Reyes

Eredia also known as Alina Marie Barragan, age 19, met similar fates.

The text is loosely based upon the Requiem format and incorporates elements

of Aztec mythology and folklore as many of these young victims descended from

Latino/a heritage. The piece is universal, because all lives emerge from the

same source and have the same soul. It opens with an invocation incorporating

the Mexican myth of Xochiquetzal as the harbinger of the transformative process

and the female consort of the transgendered person. It reflects the

historical precedent of earlier people accepting and honoring their diversities.

Gwen

Araujo acknowledged and accepted her life in being honest and living life

honestly. Such heinous Hate Crimes must not be tolerated; and, each victimís

bravery and heroism must not be forgotten.

The Requiem is a Celebration of Gwen and all LGBT youths who have died as

victims of Hate Crimes. It is also a celebration of all individuals who were

brave enough to realize and live their lives truthfully and honestly. The

Transfigured Body is a modern requiem of five songs that celebrate the journey

of

self-discovery, realization and transcendence. The work is written from the

perspective of the soul. The Requiem asks for society to recognize its LGBT

children, to accept all people, and ends with the liberation of the soul in

death