Latinas celebrate historic marriage equality wins

Today, the National Latina Institute for Reproductive Health (NLIRH) applauds the decision of the United States Supreme Court in finding the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) unconstitutional and ensuring that all legally married couples will be able to receive more than 1,000 federal benefits and rights. The Supreme Court also let stand the lower federal court ruling of California’s Proposition 8 as unconstitutional, paving the way for LGBTQ couples to marry in California—home to nearly 14 million Latinos/as. Jessica González-Rojas, executive director of NLIRH, issued the following statement:
“Today, we celebrate these historic advances for fair treatment, equality, and freedom for all families under federal law and in California. Now, we must build on the momentum of these wins to achieve full civil and human rights for all low-income and immigrant lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) people of color. Even after today’s rulings, many in our community will still face violence and discrimination and be locked out of our health care system. We must keep fighting for inclusive immigration reform, employment non-discrimination, access to culturally competent care, and salud, dignidad, y justicia for all.”
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The National Latina Institute for Reproductive Health is the only national organization working on behalf of the reproductive health and justice of the 24 million Latinas, their families and communities in the United States through public education, community mobilization and policy advocacy.