Equality

BREAKING: League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) Passes Same-Sex Marriage Equality Resolution

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Another Saturday, another national group of brown people proves Toure right by being homophobic passes a same-sex marriage equality resolution.

LULAC, the League of United Latino American Citizens, passed a resolution at their annual convention today in suport of equal marriage rights for same-sex couples, the group just tweeted. They join the National Council of La Raza (another national Hispanic group) and the NAACP (the nation’s oldest civil rights group) in issuing such a resolution.

With all three groups supporting same-sex marriage, it’s definitive, absolute proof that Barack Obama blew the black and Latino votes when he came out for same-sex marriage two months ago. Much as we predicted, it was bullshit to think that blacks and Latinos, who had supported the president so much in 2008, were going to dump him because of his support of gay rights. The belief that blacks and Hispanics are anti-gay has largely been overblown; differences in racial attitudes to same-sex marriage are routinely trumped by differences in age, education, and rural/urban location. As we wrote last year, every black and Hispanic state senator except for Rev. Sen. Ruben Diaz voted for the Marriage Equality Act here in New York; still, even though it was only white senators who voted against it, the myth that blacks and Hispanics are to blame for a lack of gay rights continues.

With the NAACP and nearly all elected black public officials supporting Obama on gay rights, and with Obama’s embrace of a DREAM Act workaround for immigration reform plus the endorsement of the major Hispanic-Latino organizations on his gay rights stance, it’s hard to see how Mitt Romney plans to peal off many black, gay or Latino voters.

Here’s the full press release (emphasis added):

The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) passed a resolution today at its 83rd Annual Convention in favor of same sex unions. The resolution supports marriage equality for all Americans, including those in the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender (LGBT) community. Furthermore, the resolution opposes the denial of basic civil rights or acts of discrimination against any American, as is consistent with LULAC’s continuing advocacy for civil rights and protections guaranteed by the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.

“Today the LULAC National Membership reaffirmed its commitment to equality for all by voting in favor of marriage equality,” said Jesse Garcia, LULAC member and co-founder of the organization’s first LGBT Council. “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 supported President Barack Obama’s statement in favor of marriage equality for same-sex couples, and has several LGBT Councils.

“Since its inception, LULAC has fought for the equality of minorities,” said LULAC Executive Director, Brent Wilkes. “All individuals, regardless of their race, ethnicity, country of origin or sexual orientation, deserve equal rights. Everyone should be granted the freedom to marry their partner be protected under the same laws that are established for heterosexual couples.”

Because all Americans are afforded equal protection under the law, states are prohibited from denying any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws. LGBT individuals in committed relationships are currently denied the benefits, rights, and protections as provided by marital law because of laws that deny marriage equality, including the Defense of Marriage Act. Couples who are allowed to marry are afforded 1,138 benefits, rights, and protections on the basis of marital law including access to social security survivor benefits, tax benefits, family and medical leave for domestic partners, continued health coverage, hospital visitation rights and immigration protections.

At the National Convention, which closes today, LULAC conducted a workshop to increase the awareness of LGBT and HIV issues. The goal of the Convention’s Equality Track was to empower attendees with skills to advocate for LGBT equality and HIV and Latino health issues. As the premier Hispanic convention, the LULAC National Convention draws over 20,000 participants each year including the top leaders from government, business, and the Hispanic community.

Hat-tip: Blabbeando.

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