Books & fags

Letras Cuir
A book club dedicated to queer latinamerican books.

Planted: Mar 20, 2026. Last tended:

For some time, I had been feeling there was a lack of a group or place in Montevideo, Uruguay, for queer people to gather around subjects of literature. Specially latinamerican literature, which I believe we need to be in touch with as that is the one telling the experiences which are closer, truer and more important for us. Funny enough saying this in english, I know. I permit myself the incoherence.

So, the idea for this book club appeared on my mind and I took it upon myself to make this space happen, that way Letras Cuir, Club de literatura LGBTQ+ y sudaka, was born. The mechanics of this club go like this:

• We (it's just me, but as Kelly on the office says "Yes, Jim, but I'm not easy to manage") recommend a book one month in advance. Criteria being for the book to be from a queer author, and from latin america. The least mainstream we can go, the better. At the same time, we announce the date and time for that book meeting.
• On the meantime, I use the Instagram account not only to promote the event, but also to communicate interesting stuff about the month's book and author.
• When we meet at the set date in La Hoguera (a stunning art community in Ciudad Vieja), we get to discuss about the book and drink coffee in a very laid back way.

My intent as a coordinator for this book club was for the books almost to feel as an excuse for queer people to gather in a space that feels new and relaxed, being parties and gyms seemingly the most popular places, for specially gay men. Also, I consider myself a shy-ish and introvert person, so leading this group means also confronting that. An exercise in being the visible face of something.