The League of United Latino American
Citizens (LULAC) has endorsed equal marriage rights for gay and
lesbian couples.
On Saturday, the final day of the
group's 83rd annual convention in Orlando, Florida, LULAC
approved a resolution in support of marriage equality.
“Today the LULAC National Membership
reaffirmed its commitment to equality for all by voting in favor of
marriage equality,” Jesse Garcia, LULAC member and co-founder of
the organization's first LGBT Council, said in a statement. “LULAC
stands with great Latino leaders like Dolores Huerta, San Antonio
Mayor Julian Castro and Labor Secretary Hilda Solis who believe
discrimination of same-sex couples should not be tolerated. This is
a historic day for LGBT Latinos everywhere, plus this vote is another
bond that reaffirms the partnership between the LGBT and Hispanic
communities.”
LULAC joins the National Council of La
Raza (NCLR) and the NAACP, the nation's oldest civil rights group, in
issuing such a resolution.
Evan Wolfson, founder and president of
Freedom to Marry, cheered the move.
“Today’s vote by the League of
United Latino American Citizens in favor of the freedom to marry
reflects LULAC's longstanding support for inclusion and equality, and
mirrors the values of a growing majority of Latinos in this country
who know that every gay or lesbian person is part of someone's family
– a son or daughter, a brother or sister, a loved one – and no
family members should face discrimination when they hope to marry the
person they love,” Wolfson said in a statement. “Latino gay
couples seek the freedom to marry to affirm and strengthen their love
and commitment and their ability to take care of each other and their
families; government should not be putting barriers in their way.
Freedom to Marry applauds LULAC's strong stand for justice and looks
forward to working together to secure the freedom to marry for all
gay and lesbian Latinos, and all Americans.”