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June 12, 2016

NHLA MOURNS VICTIMS OF ORLANDO MASSACRE AND STANDS IN SOLIDARITY WITH LGBTQ COMMUNITY

Washington, D.C. – Members of the National Hispanic Leadership Agenda (NHLA), a coalition of 40 of the nation's preeminent Latino advocacy organizations, issued the following statements in response to the mass shooting in Orlando, Florida at the Pulse nightclub, and expressing solidarity with the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) community.

“We stand in solidarity with our LGBTQ brothers and sisters who were targeted in this heinous attack in Orlando, in which initial reports suggest that the brunt of the suffering fell upon LGBTQ Latinos. We share our deepest condolences and sympathy with the families and loved ones of those who were killed. This was an attack on all of us,” said Hector Sanchez, NHLA Chair and Executive Director of the Labor Council for Latin American Advancement. “We hope that those who were injured are able to make a full recovery and encourage all those who are able, to donate blood as soon as possible at the nearest blood donation center to help the survivors.”

“MALDEF joins the entire national Latino family and the broader American human community in mourning the victims of the hate-driven act of domestic terrorism this past weekend in Orlando, Florida.  Those who died at the Pulse nightclub, in the midst of LGBTQ Pride Month, are martyrs to the ongoing cause of civil and human rights.  Our nation has a regrettably long and harrowing history of innocent people, children and adults, losing their lives to the hatred of civil rights deniers and those who incite them.  Shame on any who would use this tragic event to excuse or encourage further division and exclusion.  MALDEF will continue to  work, together with our inspiring allies in the LGBTQ community, to root out hate crimes and the rhetorical and practical  mechanisms – including the too-ready availability of assault weaponry – that enable these heinous and cowardly acts.”  Thomas A. Saenz, NHLA Vice Chair and MALDEF President and General Counsel

"In the midst of such tragedy and sadness, we open our hearts in support of the individuals, families, and friends who have lost loved ones in Orlando, Florida.  LGBTQ and Latino communities, and allies, should be able to celebrate Pride Month and all daily activities of life without the fear of being targeted by any individual or group due to homophobia and terrorism. The names of the individuals killed are now being identified; through my sadness, my hope is that we will stand up and work together to ensure solutions that support a safer future for families and communities across the country.” Patti Tototzintle, CEO of Casa de Esperanza

"An unspeakable tragedy has been visited on Orlando's LGBT and Latino communities in the midst of a month dedicated to celebrating the struggle for full equality for all Americans. Our hearts go out to the victims and their families while we recommit ourselves to fighting bigotry and homophobia, and ending gun violence wherever and whenever it rears its ugly head. We have great confidence that in the face of such brutality and callousness, our communities will come together and respond with great compassion and support for all of the victims and families affected by this appalling act of terror." José Calderón, President of the Hispanic Federation

"Our prayers go out to the family and victims of this horrific terrorist attack directed at the LGBT community during gay pride month. While this was an attack on our LGBT and Latino brothers and sisters, let us be clear, this was an attack on all Americans. We must never bow to the forces of hate and intolerance. The HNBA stands in solidarity with Orlando.” Robert T. Maldonado, National President of the Hispanic National Bar Association

“Our thoughts, prayers and love go out to the LGTB community, the Orlando victims, and their families. “We are sick in our hearts that the forces of hate and gun violence have, yet again, taken the lives of so many innocent Americans. We must find a way to put an end to hate and violence and unite all Americans together regardless of their religion, sexual orientation, race or ethnicity.” Brent Wilkes, NHLA Treasurer and LULAC National Executive Director

"We are heartbroken to learn of the tragedy in Orlando and continue to stand with our LGBTQ family in these dark moments. But we continue to believe that hope can rise from the struggle and that our unity for a higher cause of peace and equality can ensure that that love will ultimately win. Now, more than ever, is the time to stand together and continue the march forward." Amy Hinojosa, President and CEO of MANA, A National Latina Organization

“America is a place where people, regardless of sexual orientation or race, should be free to be who they are without fear of violence. A crime against any one group is a crime against us all.  Our hearts go out to the families and loved ones who were affected by the terrorist attack that targeted the LGBTQ and Latino community during a time of celebration.  We stand in solidarity with our LGBTQ brothers and sisters, and with the elected officials in Orlando who are grappling with the aftermath of this terrible tragedy.” Arturo Vargas, Executive Director of the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials (NALEO) 

“We join with people around the United States who are mourning the victims of the tragic mass shooting that targeted the LGBTQ community in Orlando. This shooting again underscores the need for Congressional action on gun control, not to mention the need for increased support for mental health services and funding for research on gun violence as a public health issue.” Dr. Elena Rios, President and CEO of the National Hispanic Medical Association

“The horrific domestic terrorist attack on the Orlando nightclub resulting in such a large and senseless toll of innocent lives has highlighted the need to escalate the campaign against ISIS and its US-based adherents. This, it is clear, must be done in conjunction with renewed efforts at comprehensive gun control. It also requires that we reinforce the reality that it is the result of a distorted reading of Islam and should not be seen as reflective of the attitudes of the vast majority of Muslims in the United States and the world. This should not be allowed to be used by the likes of Donald Trump for self-serving and irresponsible political purposes. The Latino community mourns with the rest of America on this sad day.” Angelo Falcón, President of National Institute for Latino Policy (NiLP)   

"Our hearts are broken for the survivors, victims and their families of the Pulse nightclub shooting in Orlando this morning. Pride Month is a time to celebrate and honor the struggles of our community for equality with love, community and support--not the hate and violence that was unleashed. While we wait for more details to emerge regarding this tragedy, we make no assumptions on motive. The Florida Latina Advocacy Network and National Latina Institute for Reproductive Health stand in solidarity with our Florida friends and allies during this tragedy.” Jessica González Rojas, Executive Director of the National Latina Institute for Reproductive Health

"The mass killing in Orlando, Florida at ‪Pulse Nightclub was so incredibly tragic and heartbreaking. Our hearts go out to all those impacted by the violence, particularly our Latinx LGBTQ community. We recommit ourselves to ending the culture of hate, homophobia, racism and Islamophobia — the same culture of hate and bigotry that fuels such out of control killing and violence." Matt Nelson, Managing Director of Presente.org

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FOR MORE INFORMATION: Monica Ramirez | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. | (202) 639-6271 |

 ABOUT THE NATIONAL HISPANIC LEADERSHIP AGENDA

The National Hispanic Leadership Agenda is composed of 40 of the leading national and regional Latino civil rights and public policy organizations and other elected officials, and prominent Latinos Americans. NHLA coalition members represent the diversity of the Latino community – Mexican Americans, Puerto Ricans, Cubans, and other Latino Americans. NHLA’s mission calls for unity among Latinos around the country to provide the Latino community with greater visibility and a clearer, stronger influence in our country’s affairs. NHLA brings together Latino leaders to establish policy priorities that address, and raise public awareness of, the major issues affecting the Latino community and the nation as a whole. For more information, please visit: www.nationalhispanicleadership.org.

NHLA MEMBER ORGANIZATIONS

Alianza Americas | American GI Forum | ASPIRA Association, Inc. | Avance | Casa de Esperanza: National Latin@ Network | Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute | Cuban American National Council | Farmworker Justice | Hispanic Association of Colleges & Universities | Hispanic Federation | Hispanic National Bar Association | Inter-University Program for Latino Research | Labor Council for Latin American Advancement | Latino Justice PRLDEF | League of United Latin American Citizens | MANA, A National Latina Organization | Mexican American Legal Defense & Educational Fund | NALEO Educational Fund | National Association of Hispanic Federal Executives | National Association of Hispanic Publications | National Association of Latino Independent Producers | National Conference of Puerto Rican Women, Inc. | National Council of La Raza | National Hispana Leadership Institute | National Hispanic Caucus of State Legislators | National Hispanic Council on Aging | National Hispanic Environmental Council | National Hispanic Foundation for the Arts | National Hispanic Media Coalition | National Hispanic Medical Association | National Institute for Latino Policy | National Latina Institute for Reproductive Health | National Puerto Rican Coalition, Inc. | Presente.org | SER – Jobs for Progress National, Inc. | Southwest Voter Registration Education Project | United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce | United States Hispanic Leadership Institute | United States-Mexico Chamber of Commerce | U.S.-Mexico Foundation