EQCA - Equality California

10/09/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 10/09/2024 17:47

LGBTQ+ Leaders and Allies to Host Press Conference Denouncing NALEO’s Board President Election

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 9, 2024

CONTACT: Jorge Reyes Salinas, Equality California
PHONE: (213) 355-3057/MOBILE: (213) 355-3057/EMAIL:[email protected]

LOS ANGELES - LGBTQ+ organizations, elected officials, and allies will hold a press conference demanding NALEO (National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials) to select a president who upholds its mission of inclusivity, visibility, and unwavering support for LGBTQ+ rights.

WHAT:

LGBTQ+ organizations, elected officials, and allies will hold a press conference to demand that NALEO selects a president who upholds its mission of inclusivity, visibility, and unwavering support for LGBTQ+ rights.

The recent election of Claudia Frometa, a council member for the City of Downey, to NALEO's board presidency, is a stark contradiction to these values. Frometa's support for a "neutral flag policy," which bans the Pride flag from City Hall in Downey, sends a harmful message to LGBTQ+ Latinos, undermining NALEO's mission of equity, inclusivity, and the protection of all Latinos. The coalition will demand that NALEO uphold its commitment to fully represent and support LGBTQ+ Latinos and reverse its decision.

WHO:

Speakers Include:

Eddie Martinez, Executive Director, Latino Equality Alliance

Mayor Mario Trujillo, City of Downey

Mario Ceballos, President, HONOR PAC

June Paniouchkine, Policy Associate, TransLatin@ Coalition

Ellie Perez, Executive Director, The LGBTQ Center Long Beach

Juan Camacho, President, Board of Directors, Equality California Institute

Mayor Ed Reece, City of Claremont

WHEN: Friday, October 11, 2024 (National Coming Out Day)

10 A.M.

WHERE:

NALEO Los Angeles Office

1000 Corporate Center Dr., Ste. 310

Monterey Park, CA 91754

WHY: NALEO has long stood as a vital institution for Latino political engagement, but the recent appointment of Claudia Frometa betrays NALEO's commitment to inclusion. On National Coming Out Day, we call on NALEO to ensure its leadership reflects its mission of supporting all Latinos, especially the LGBTQ+ members of our community. This is not just a matter of representation; it is about justice, dignity, and protecting those most vulnerable to hate.
MEDIA RSVP: For questions or to RSVP, please email [email protected]

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Equality California is the nation's largest statewide LGBTQ civil rights organization. We bring the voices of LGBTQ people and allies to institutions of power in California and across the United States, striving to create a world that is healthy, just, and fully equal for all LGBTQ people. We advance civil rights and social justice by inspiring, advocating and mobilizing through an inclusive movement that works tirelessly on behalf of those we serve. www.eqca.org