We’re Proud to Support the LGBT Community

Every June, people from around the world come together to celebrate the LGBT community and its contributions to our history. As an organization long committed to protecting Latinos, it is altogether fitting that we extend that support to our LGBT familia, which includes millions of Latinos. We are proud to join the chorus of voices that will be celebrating equality all month long.

https://www.facebook.com/Nationalcounciloflaraza/videos/10154762704596247/

At NCLR, we know and understand the power of familia well. Our brothers and sisters in the LGBT community are no doubt part of that great big family. For too long, our communities have been divided by forces that want to weaken our bonds. But we’re here to say we stand united.

We’re celebrating one year of #marriageequality across the land. Happy #Pride to all our #LGBT familia! #LGBTLatino #lovewins?

A post shared by National Council of La Raza (@nclr) on Jun 26, 2016 at 12:24pm PDT

A historic moment for NCLR came in 2012 when, in the midst of the struggle for marriage equality, the NCLR Board of Directors voted unanimously to officially support the LGBT movement in that fight. Since then, NCLR has been vocal in its support on a range of issues from the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, to overturning DOMA and California’s Proposition 8, to participating in the anti-bullying Spirit Day campaign every year. We are proud of that legacy of support and we look forward to continuing to elevate the LGBT community when and where we can.

@jmurguia_nclr speaks to reporters about NCLR’s support for marriage #equality. #united4amor

A post shared by National Council of La Raza (@nclr) on Mar 26, 2013 at 8:20am PDT

This Pride is also an especially important one as we mark the one-year anniversary of the Pulse Nightclub shooting in Orlando. This horrible and tragic event claimed the lives of many LGBT Latinos, many of whom were in the prime of their youth. Our 2016 NCLR Annual Conference was also in Orlando, and took place about a month after this terrible event. As part of our programming, we held a special memorial ceremony to celebrate the lives of the victims. Actor and activist Wilson Cruz was also on hand to deliver heartfelt remarks about how that day touched his own life. Watch him at our Conference below:

https://www.facebook.com/Nationalcounciloflaraza/videos/10153865102621247/

That fateful day in June will certainly live on in our collective memory. Showing our own Pride is just one small way we can honor the lives of all those who were lost that day.

https://www.facebook.com/Nationalcounciloflaraza/videos/10153755312401247/

At the #NCLR16 Affiliate Luncheon in Orlando today, our President and CEO, Janet Murguía, announced a new policy position on reducing gun violence. NCLR and the Board of Directors has unanimously approved a set of policy positions to reduce gun violence in America. Going forward, we will support a ban on assault weapons, universal background checks and other reasonable restrictions on the acquisition of firearms consistent with the second amendment. #SomosOrlando #LGBTLatino #LGBT #Orlando

A post shared by National Council of La Raza (@nclr) on Jul 23, 2016 at 10:21am PDT

Now, as we mark the beginning of the 2017 Pride season, we’re honored and privileged to stand steadfastly behind the LGBT community in its ongoing fight for equality. In fact, today we raised a rainbow Pride flag outside our building to show that support as Washington, DC wraps up its own week-long Pride celebration.

We wish all our LGBT Latino familia a very happy Pride season. Remember, that when we stand united, we rise up united.