Showcasing the Queer and Latinx Community: ‘Functional’

Debuting at ClexaCon in 2019, Functional is a web series that focuses on topics within the LGBTQ and Latinx community highlighting the highs and lows that the modern world has to offer.

Written and created by Daniel Luna, a proud Coloradan raised by first-generation immigrant parents, the series tells the story of Guillermo and Jazmyne, two best friends looking to find success and acceptance with the little resources and sobriety they have. Like Luna’s upbringing, Functional sets to prove how better the world can thrive when we embrace our individuality and backgrounds.

“It definitely goes back a couple years ago when I moved from Denver to Los Angeles,” Luna tells OFM. “I really liked acting and film and hoped to make it out here in LA, or at least try. Unfortunately, all the auditions I kept getting were very stereotypical. Growing up in Denver, I remember not seeing a lot of Latinx or queer representation, but when I did, the characters were very demeaning. When I came to LA, it was kind of a reverse culture shock. It was like, hey, there are a lot of people like me out here. However, that is not the case in the audition rooms. I connected the dots and realized that was why I kept seeing the same kind of people on screen.”

Instead of hanging in the towel, Luna decided to create his own project to showcase diversity.

“It essentially became a revenge piece,” he jokes. “I wanted to write something I could relate to, but also be like, hey, I am trying to belong here.”

Season One is available to watch on YouTube, and Season Two premiered December 10. New episodes will drop weekly on Fridays.

In addition to writing, creating, and directing, Luna stars as Guillermo. LA actor Lys Perez plays Jazmyne.

“I got involved with Functional by auditioning and throwing the self-tape out into the ether,” she says. “We didn’t know each other or have any mutual friends before this project. Daniel’s from Denver and I’m from LA, and that’s really the origin story. I remember doing the audition; it was a dramatic monologue from season one, and then during the callback, Daniel sent me the sides again saying to make it funny. Okay, great, let’s do it. I submitted that second tape, and the rest is history.”

Although the first season received an overwhelmingly positive response from viewers, and both Luna and Perez are passionate storytellers, neither one of them planned for a Season Two.

“Again, I wrote Functional because I was annoyed at not seeing representation and just wanted to put something out there,” Luna says. “If I went home after this, I would have been fine with that. I at least tried. Then once Liz became involved, people were coming in day after day, and the audience responded, I was like, wow, people believe in this.”

Unfortunately, like millions of other projects, the COVID-19 pandemic caused the series to be put on hiatus.

“When the pandemic hit,” we knew this was going to be a challenge,” Luna recalls. “I got a hold of the cast and crew to see who was realistically on board with moving forward for Season Two, and everyone was like, let’s do it. That gave me a big push. So, we started a GoFundMe page, and that helped us out financially.”

As for what audiences can expect in Season Two, Luna says there is a definite shift from season one with growth and change. Guillermo and Jazmyne begin a journey of self-care, as they both take different paths to grow up.

There will also be a glimpse of their families who hold a strong influence in their upbringing.

“We talk a lot about mental health and faith and how that looks in the queer and Latinx community,” he explains. We talk about family relationships, and if you are queer person who has a good relationship with your family, you are very lucky. We also understand if you don’t, so we are watching those character dynamics. I hope parents and kids see this and wonder how they are within each other’s lives. There is a lot to take away from the family aspect this season.”

“I also hope audiences have some courage to really look in a mirror and face themselves,” Perez adds. “Whether it’s them personally who can relate to Guillermo or Jazmyne, or if it’s their own family members who play very important roles in their own lives and how they respond to different things in their relationships. As Daniel mentioned, mental health is a big theme this season. Personally, in my own family, that is an interesting topic of conversation, if it even comes up and isn’t stigmatized. So, I think it’s important for audiences, and humans in general, to be able to look in the mirror at themselves and know how they play a role in their own lives, but also in each other’s.”

Stay up-to-date with Functional by following the series on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube. Connect with Luna and Perez on Instagram.

Photos Courtesy of ‘Functional’