NCLR will announce it’s participation in national GLBT rights campaign

 

On June 9, 2012 the Board of Directors of the National Council of La Raza (NCLR) , one of the nation’s largest and oldest Latino Civil Rights organizations, passed a resolution endorsing the rights of Lesbian and Gay men to legally marry in the U.S. according to the organizations board members.

NCLR plans to speak about the resolution during an upcoming press event regarding a national Gay and Lesbian rights campaign during their annual conference in July.

NCLR board and policy committee member Catherine Pino called the resolution “huge”. “This has significance without measure- NCLR is a highly respected institution in the national civil rights community as well as a trusted organization in local Latino neighborhoods, this will have positive reverberations throughout the country”. NCLR boasts hundreds of Latino organizational affiliates and it’s annual national conference draws thousands of participants and tens of thousands of expo observers.

The organization is planning to announce it’s involvement in a national campaign on GLBT rights that includes twenty one Hispanic organizations named “Familia es Familia” ( “Family is Family”) at the Las Vegas conference.

The CEO , Janet Murgia , had previously sent a letter in her official capacity to President Obama citing her support of his position on marriage equality. The board resolution is being accepted as vigorous support of her position and a commitment to the fight for marriage equality,“The policy statement is in line with the best traditions and values of NCLR. The organization continues to lead Americas struggle for equal justice for all” said Pino.

A variety of recent polls from various groups indicate an acceptance of Gay and Lesbian marriage by the majority of the Latino community. The concern of the impact of bullying and self image among Gay and Lesbian Latino youth has been at the forefront of many local Latino advocacy groups and community organizations as of late. “This means  that Gay and Lesbian Latino youth will understand without any doubt that they are embraced by thier community, this will literally save lives” said Pino.