NCLR (National Council of La Raza) applauds President Obama for his historic remarks expressing support for marriage equality,” said Janet Murguía, President and CEO of NCLR. «This issue is about doing the right thing and being on the right side of history. Ensuring fairness and equality while protecting people from discrimination is at the heart of NCLR’s mission.»
“Like other Americans, Latinos have shifted their views on LGBT issues in recent years,” continued Murguía. “Acceptance and support for loving couples to have the right to marry is now shared by a majority of Latinos.”
A report co-released by NCLR and Social Science Research Solutions, funded by the Arcus Foundation, in April found that 54 percent of Hispanics support gay marriage, which is higher than the national average. Ending discriminatory policies in employment and housing also receives overwhelming support among Latinos.
“We celebrate this historic moment with our allies in the LGBT community and with the millions of LGBT Latinos across the nation, and we look forward to working together to advance equal rights for all in the days ahead,” concluded Murguía.
Thomas A. Saenz, President and General Counsel of MALDEF:
“MALDEF has long supported marriage equality, and we applaud the President’s announcement that he also recognizes and supports this critical right. We look forward to the President’s leadership on related issues of equality, including taking steps to immediately implement immigration practices that would accord the same family reunification rights equally to all binational spouses.”
