Julián Delgado Lopera Explores Queer History and Identity in “Pretend You’re Dead and I Carry You”

Author and educator Julián Delgado Lopera has released his latest novel, Pretend You’re Dead and I Carry You, a work that blends personal history, trans narratives, and the cultural landscape of 1990s Colombia. The book, published by Feminist Press, follows the author’s 2020 debut, Fiebre Tropical, and draws on extensive research into the lives of the trans community in Bogotá. According to the author, the novel serves as an exploration of the “travesti” experience, challenging traditional archival records by centering raw, lived storytelling.

What is the premise of “Pretend You’re Dead and I Carry You”?

The novel centers on three primary characters: a father named Ignacio, his daughter Valentina, and a trans woman named Mamadora Eléctrica, who is inspired by Delgado Lopera’s own mother, Adela Vázquez. Set against the backdrop of 1990s Colombia, the story traverses the environments of drag clubs, family apartments, and the Magdalena River. Delgado Lopera describes the book as an effort to imagine the lives of those who, due to fear or societal pressure, kept their desires and identities hidden. The narrative incorporates elements of “travesti” lore, referencing the history of trans bodies in Colombia as recorded in the author’s research.

How did Delgado Lopera research the novel?

The author spent five months in Colombia in 2019 to conduct primary research for the book. During this period, he connected with the Red Comunitaria Trans in the Barrio Santa Fe of Bogotá, an organization dedicated to the rights and safety of trans people in the area. Delgado Lopera notes that he found the most vital elements of trans history living within individual homes and personal accounts rather than in formal academic archives. This field research, combined with a decade of drafting and time spent in residencies at the Headland Center for the Arts and Hedgebrook, formed the foundation of the manuscript.

The Role of Language and Style

Delgado Lopera writes in a blend of English and Spanish, a stylistic choice that editor Gina Iaquinta describes as “acrobatic.” Despite not being a fluent Spanish speaker, Iaquinta stated that the linguistic weaving of the two languages allowed her to feel fully immersed in the narrative. The author rejects the label of “magical realism” often applied to Latin American literature, suggesting instead that the speculative elements of his work reflect the realities of being trans and Colombian—identities he views as inherently outside of conventional norms. He cites Chilean essayist Pedro Lemebel as a major influence, particularly regarding the use of a “salted” tongue that refuses to sanitize the queer experience for mainstream consumption.

Who is Julián Delgado Lopera?

Beyond his work as a novelist, Delgado Lopera is a multidisciplinary storyteller and educator. He serves as an assistant professor of creative writing and contemporary Latine literature at the City University of New York. His professional background includes:

• Co-founding Drag Story Hour: An organization that provides inclusive programming for children.
• Oral History Projects: Author of ¡Cuéntamelo! Oral Histories by LGBT Latino Immigrants.
• Spoken Word: A former participant in the Sister Spit series, which highlights queer performance art.

The book tour for Pretend You’re Dead and I Carry You recently featured stops in San Francisco and Los Angeles, where the author incorporated performance art and archival footage from the GLBT Historical Society to frame the release of his work within the broader context of queer history.