Advocates and Private Sector Call for an End to Discrimination against LGBTQ Latinos
Oldest and largest U.S. Hispanic advocacy organization hosts convening to discuss the challenges of the Hispanic LGBTQ Community during 90th Annual Convention
MILWAUKEE (July 11, 2019) – Today, the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) was joined by advocates and members of the private sector in calling for bold steps to advance equal justice under law for all Latinos. As a powerful voice in the space, LULAC is proud to stand together as a community demanding equality for all.
Today’s panel was joined by National Director & CEO of the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) Jonathan Greenblatt; Texas Regional Field Organizer at the Human Rights Campaign Sissi Yado; President and CEO of the Eisenhower Foundation Dr. Alan Curtis; Senior Manager Global Public Policy at Starbucks Nadim Damluji; and Executive Vice President of Field and Member Services at the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights Vanessa Gonzalez.
“I applaud LULAC for increasing its investment in the LGBTQ civil rights movement, from launching LGBTQ-focused LULAC councils and instituting pro-equality policy to linking arms with LGBTQ organizations to affirm that LGBTQ Rights are human rights,” said Chair of the National LULAC LGBTQ Committee Jesse Garcia. “The LGBTQ community is not just being invited to the party at LULAC — we are being asked to dance.”
LULAC supports efforts to dismantle discrimination against Latinos particularly as hate crimes have increased in recent years. LULAC’s support extends to various pieces of legislation aimed at addressing LGBTQ equality in the United States, including the passing of the Equality Act. The organization works with corporate partners who share LULAC’s values on inclusion.
“The discussion about equality is more important than ever, so from our standpoint it’s a valuable opportunity to share and learn at LULAC,” said Nadim Damluji, Senior Manager, Global Public Policy at Starbucks Coffee Company. “Core to our identity at Starbucks is to be a welcoming place for all – partners, customers and the communities we serve. For our partners, we’ve been proud of our benefits around healthcare, a debt free college education, childcare and more, and we’re proud that we’ve made opportunity hiring a priority as well as maintaining pay equity for men and women and people of all races. Certainly, progress is a journey and we continue to learn, very aware that companies like ours can play a key role in people’s everyday lives.”
LULAC has actively worked alongside LGBTQ organizations including the Human Rights Campaign and will host the LGBTQ Orgullo Reception, honoring leaders and champions of the LGBTQ community - sponsored by HRC, Hilton and Nissan.
"On the intersection of 'Latinidad' and LGBTQIA+ identity, LULAC is proud to honor and recognize our new National LGBTQ Committee and their contributions,” said José Ignacio Gaona, National Policy Manager LULAC National. “In collaboration with the National Urban League, LULAC is moving forward with cross-racial coalition building efforts at a time when both demographics are facing new yet familiar civil rights challenges in our nation. At our 90th convention, LULAC is excited to engage community leaders and advocates from various religious communities in roundtable discussions to help promote understanding and solidarity.”
This is one of the many activities hosted by LULAC during its 90th Annual Convention around equality. In addition to this panel, LULAC will host a workshop around advocacy efforts for LGBTQ communities on Friday, July 12 at 2:00pm CT and an LGBTQ Equality Reception at 5:30pm CT to honor and celebrate the work and accomplishments of the community in advancing LGBTQ civil rights. An agenda and list of speakers is available here.
More about the LULAC’s 90th Annual Convention
Led by LULAC President Domingo Garcia and CEO Sindy Benavides, LULAC’s four-day convention will bring together over 20,000 Latino leaders from across the country for seminars and notable events, including a Presidential Town Hall with 2020 candidates: Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT); Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA); former U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Julián Castro; and former Representative Beto O’Rourke (D-TX). LULAC will also host a national stage featuring Second Lady of the United States Dr. Jill Biden (2009 – 2017); Senator Michael Bennet (D-CO); U.S. Representative Tulsi Gabbard (D-HI). An agenda and list of speakers is available here. Select events, including the Presidential Town Hall, will be live streamed at www.lulac.org/live.
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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