“…Given that my gaze is informed by queer studies, I will use “raro” interchangeably with “queer,” even though they are not precisely equivalent (Rodríguez, 2003: 23–25). Like the term marica , “queer” can be used as an adjective, a noun, or a verb to mean “weird,” “strange,” “eccentric,” or “questionable.” Thus designating something deviant, it is usually used as a synonym for “gay,” “lesbian,” “fag,” “homosexual,” or some other denigrating appellation for people on the basis of their sexuality and behaviors that deviate from what is considered normal (de Lauretis, 2015: 109).…”