About Us

​OUR STORY

LEA was founded in January of 2009, as a direct response to the passing of Proposition 8, the California ballot initiative that took marriage rights away from same-sex couples.   As  Latine/x LGBTQ+ activists worked to dismantle Prop 8, our founders recognized a need for building a coalition and coordinated efforts to increase support for LGBTQ+ rights within the Latine/x community.  As a result, an alliance of individuals and representatives from several organizations formed the Latino Equality Alliance. LEA’s founding mission was to promote liberty, justice, and equality for the Latine/x LGBTQ+ community.

Today, as an organization, LEA focuses on building power within the Latinx LGBTQ+ community and advocating for systemic changes that promote healthy and safe environments in schools, homes and neighborhoods for LGBTQ+ youth and families. We ground our work through public education, organized actions, coaliton building and leadership development.

We operate out of Mi Centro LGBTQ Community Center in Boyle Heights located at 553 S. Clarence Street, Los Angeles, CA 90033 and Mi SELA LGBTQ Community Center in Bell located at 4265 Florence Avenue, Bell, CA 90201.

Phone: (323) 286-7224, email: info@somoslea.org

Photos Courtesy of Latino Equality Alliance Staff.

OUR MISSION

The mission of Latino Equality Alliance (LEA), a project of Community Partners,  is to advocate for safety, equity, and wellness for the Latinx Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer + community. Our organization strongly focuses on youth empowerment, family acceptance, educational equity, public health, and civic engagement. Through coalitions, we strive to build power to elevate the LGBTQ+ voices in Boyle Heights and the greater East Side communities of Los Angeles.  

OUR STAFF

​Eddie Martinez, Executive Director

eddie@somoslea.org

Phone: (213) 446-7125

​Yesenia Mendoza, Development Manager

yesenia@somoslea.org

​Vicky Gutierrez, Programs Manager

vicky@somoslea.org

Jasine Cumplido, Programs Supervisor

Sanya "Bibi" Lojero, Programs Supervisor

Eduardo Salas, Development Coordinator

​Jesus Suatan, Programs Coordinator

Angel Elizalde, Programs Coordinator

Javier Garay, Community Organizer

Jesica Santiago, Community Organizer

Yaya Vasquez-Lopez, Community Organizer

Andrea Morales, Community Organizer

Milagros Montalvo, Development Assistant

Victoria Blackburn, Resource Navigator

2024 SPONSORS

Latino Equality Alliance is fiscally sponsored by Community Partners. ​​Our work is made possible with the support of our funding partners:

2024 Recurring Donors

​​Our work is also made possible with the support of our recurring donors.

JOIN LEA’S MEMBERSHIP PROGRAM

Your donations to the Latino Equality Alliance (LEA) are tax-deductible, thanks to our fiscal sponsor, Community Partners. The Tax ID for Community Partners is 95-4302067.