At its 2012 annual National Convention and Exposition, drawing more than 20,000 community leaders and activists, the League of United Latino American Citizens (LULAC) passed a resolution in favor of marriage equality for same-sex couples earlier this month.
Julio Alva, a LULAC district director in Florida, said that the organization took its decision based on a number of aspects, but particularly on the legalities of the matter, so that couples can one day be recognized as such and receive mutual benefits.
“It’s not fair that after spending their whole lives together, these couples cannot hope to receive certain benefits and that when one of them dies, the other cannot gain possession of the corresponding assets,” he said.
The vote, taken in Orlando, was applauded by Evan Wolfson, founder of Freedom to Marry.
“The 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. “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.”
LULAC is the largest and oldest Hispanic organization in the United States and advances the economic condition, educational attainment, political influence, health and civil rights of Hispanic Americans through community-based programs. In 2006, LULAC launched its “Rainbow Council,” the first LULAC council made up of LGBT Latinos and allies, which works to create dialogue between the Hispanic and LGBT communities, both sharing one common goal: “full equality.” In 2008 and 2009, the LULAC National Membership passed resolutions to support repeal of “Don't Ask, Don't Tell” policy (DADT) and passage of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA).
An April 2011 report by the National Council of La Raza found that 54 percent of Latinos support marriage. Surveys such as the NBC/Wall Street Journal poll released in April 2012 confirmed a Latino majority for marriage, reporting that 55% of Hispanics favor the freedom to marry (an increase of 10% since October 2009), while just 30% are opposed.
