Photo Credit: Flilip Wolak
Nation’s Largest and Oldest Latino Civil Rights Organization Says LGBTQIA+ Are More than Just Letters or Faceless Persons
WASHINGTON D.C. — The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) issued the following statement for National Pride Month 2023, celebrated annually in June.
The League of United Latin American Citizens is observing Pride Month by challenging all state legislative bodies in the United States and U.S. territories to protect and defend the rights of LGBTQIA+ citizens. In our 94-year history, LULAC has always championed advancing rights for every American. We have been a party to many historic judicial cases that have expanded the rights of the minority and locked arms with other communities for the greater good.
“All of us have an opportunity to stand on the right side of history by ensuring LGBTQIA+ people receive non-discrimination protections in housing, employment, education, and public accommodation,” says Jesse Garcia, Immediate Past LULAC National LGBTQIA+ Chairperson.
“State legislatures have the power to right the wrongs of the past, and they have the power to stop recent legislation attacking youth in schools, drag performers, and families making their own health decisions,” adds Garcia.
Although members of the LGBTQIA+ community represent less than 10 percent of our population, they can be found in every city, school, church, and family—unfortunately, acceptance and respect are often not. We can do better. When LULAC goes to battle for Latino civil rights, we do so with the full knowledge that when we fight for Latinos—we mean all Latinos—regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression.
“Those of us who devote our lives to fighting for the civil rights of others cannot nor must not forget those against whom ultra-religious conservatives are waging a new wave of attacks,” says Rodolfo Rosales Jr., immediate past Texas LULAC state director.
“I am the first openly gay person elected to lead the largest delegation in our organization. Sadly, I have witnessed firsthand the hostility and outright hatred against the LGBTQIA+ community by people who profess the love of God but believe it only applies to those they accept. This hypocrisy must be confronted and called out before harm or worse comes to people because of whom they love,” he said.
“All communities and groups must be united and ensure that we protect the precious gains we have won over the years. The past is far too painful to repeat, and our future will be brighter if all persons are respected,” says Renato de los Santos, program director for the LULAC National Education Service Center (LNESC), Dallas, Texas.
LULAC proudly stands with the LGBTQIA+ community today and tomorrow, and we welcome every person who is ready to make that commitment and join us in the continued struggle for justice.
About LULAC — The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) is the nation’s largest and oldest civil rights volunteer-based organization that empowers Hispanic Americans and builds strong Latino communities. Headquartered in Washington, DC, with 1,000 councils around the United States and Puerto Rico, LULAC’s programs, services and advocacy address the most important issues for Latinos, meeting critical needs of today and the future. For more information, visit www.LULAC.org