Latino Equality Alliance
Advocacy for the safety, equity, and wellness.
| Date | Investors | Amount | Round |
|---|---|---|---|
* | N/A | Grant | |
| Total Funding | 000k | ||
Latino Equality Alliance (LEA) is a non-profit organization focused on advocating for the rights, safety, and wellness of the Latinx/e LGBTQ+ community in the Los Angeles area. It was established in January 2009 as a direct response to the passage of California's Proposition 8, which eliminated marriage rights for same-sex couples. The founders, a coalition of activists and organizational representatives, identified the need for a unified voice to increase support for LGBTQ+ rights within the Latino community. Eddie Martinez, a co-founder who previously worked with the AIDS awareness project Wall Las Memorias, now serves as the Executive Director.
The organization operates community centers, MiCentro in Boyle Heights and Mi SELA in Bell, which serve as safe, welcoming spaces offering resources and support. LEA's work is structured around public education, youth empowerment, family acceptance, public health, and civic engagement. It delivers its mission through a variety of programs, including leadership development, coalition building, and organized actions to promote systemic change. Key initiatives focus on creating safe environments in schools, homes, and neighborhoods for LGBTQ+ youth and their families. Specific campaigns address health disparities by tackling tobacco use, providing substance use education, and offering mental health support.
LEA is a fiscally sponsored project of Community Partners and receives funding from various foundations and health plans, which supports its operations and initiatives like an annual youth scholarship program. The organization engages the community through workshops for parents on family acceptance, youth groups, and collaborations with school districts to foster inclusive environments. It also hosts events like the annual Purple Lily Awards to recognize community leaders who advance its mission.
Keywords: LGBTQ advocacy, Latinx community, social justice, youth empowerment, public health, community organizing, family acceptance, educational equity, civic engagement, leadership development, Boyle Heights, Los Angeles, anti-discrimination, youth services, coalition building, immigrant rights, substance use prevention, tobacco cessation, policy change, community centers