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, coalition 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
Yesenia Mendoza, Director of Development & Operations
Vicky Gutierrez, Chief Financial Officer
Our work is also made possible with the support of our recurring donors.
