Barbie Hurtado

Barbie is deeply committed to cultural organizing and artivism within an inclusive LGBTQ+ framework, believing that art plays a vital role in grassroots activism. They view art and artivism as essential tools for building community and fostering change. In 2017, Barbie co-founded Son Queers, a collective of queer, trans, and non-binary musicians who teach, share, and perform traditional son jarocho music in a welcoming, inclusive space. The collective’s mission is to heal through art and music while resisting the heteronormative and patriarchal norms that have historically shaped the son jarocho tradition.

Additionally, Barbie is one of the founding members of Los MENtirosos, San Antonio’s premier all-Latinx drag king troupe. Their Drag King Persona, Pancho Panza is a fat-positive king who loves to dance and shake their panza with pride. They create a community for Latine drag performers by producing drag shows, community events,  panels,  and educational events with Pancho Panza Productions.

As both a poet and versadore—a person who composes or performs versos in the Son Jarocho tradition—Barbie’s work has been published in local zines like St. Sucia, Panocha Zine, and That Grey Zine & Literary magazine Voices de la Luna. Their poetry is also set to appear in the forthcoming anthology I Love Us, which will be published by Flowersong Press in the summer of 2025. Barbie 

Recently, Barbie wrote and recorded La Morena Trans, a song honoring three Texan trans women activists and their tireless advocacy for the rights of trans, non-binary, and gender-expansive communities. In November 2024, La Morena Trans was featured in San Antonio City Council meetings as part of the City of San Antonio’s Local Music Spotlight Program, showcasing original music from talented San Antonio artists. Barbie is now working on a new EP, set to include five songs focused on themes of LGBTQ+ rights, drag culture, and body love.