Our Work

The mission of Latino Equality Alliance (LEA), a project of Community Partners, is to advocate for equity, safety, and wellness for the Latinx Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer + community. As a non-profit organization with a strong focus on family acceptance, LGBT equality, and immigration reform; LEA engages Latinx LGBT community leaders and organizations in direct action organizing to address issues of bullying, homophobia, xenophobia, family separation, violence against youth, homelessness, high health risk behaviors and HIV/AIDS.

Our History

LEA is a grassroots organization established in January of 2009 as an alliance of individuals and representatives from several organizations who came together to work on the No on Proposition 8 campaign in East Los Angeles (Prop 8 was the anti‐marriage equality ballot initiative). As a result of No on Prop 8 work in both the LGBTQ and Latino communities, LEA founders recognized a need to coordinate efforts to increase support of LGBT people and issues in the Latino community. LEA is active in community organizing and building support for LGBTQ rights throughout Los Angeles County through a variety of activities including public education, community forums, organized actions, coalition building and leadership development.In 2015, in partnership with Los Angeles LGBT Center, LEA celebrated the opening of its new home at Mi Centro LGBTQ Community Center – Boyle Heights located at 553 S. Clarence Street, Los Angeles, CA 90033. Phone: 323-286-7224.

Our Work

Latino Equality Alliance is committed to recruiting and developing leaders in the Latinx LGBTQ community to continue the work of bringing equality and justice to our community. LEA utilizes the tools of advocacy, community engagement and public education to build healthy and safe environments for the LGBTQ community.

Programs:

Leadership Development – Latino Equality Alliance offers training and opportunities to develop the advocacy and leadership skills of LGBTQ individuals.
Community Outreach – Through outreach and civic engagement, Latino Equality Alliance provides visibility and resources at community events, schools, social venues, and fairs.
College Access and Success Support – A support program for LGBTQ students attending local colleges and universities.
LGBTQA Youth Council – The LGBTQA (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and Ally) is to build leadership and community organizing skills in order to create a safer, more inclusive and supportive spaces at home, school and in the communities in which we live. Council meets every 2nd Monday of the month at Mi Centro LGBTQ Community Center (553 S. Clarence St., Los Angeles, CA. 90033) in Boyle Heights. Monthly gatherings include presentations, workshops, leadership training, college application support, field trips and social events. All students age 13 to 21 are invited to participate.

Projects:

Anti-Bullying School Climate Public Education Initiative – Latino Equality Alliance offers a series of audience-appropriate workshops to students, parents and school administrators in area high schools with a goal to develop a safe school climate for LGBTQ youth.

Southeast Los Angeles Civic Engagement Project – A strategic regional initiative that will develop young leaders and change public policies through education and engagement in the communities of Huntington Park, Bell, Cudahy, Maywood, Walnut Park, South Gate, Commerce, Bell Gardens and Lynwood.

Community Health Worker Outreach Initiative- In partnership with The Wellness Center, we have mobilized ourselves in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. The mission is to provide crucial outreach, COVID-19 prevention education and navigation services to local residents and businesses around LA County. We are excited to be working with several other amazing community-based organizations including Baldwin Park RAC, Building Healthy Communities, Casa 0101, Eastside LEAD, InnerCity Struggle, and Maternal and Child Health Access.

For more information on programs and/or to request a training please our program staff:

Zac Flores, Youth Organizer at education@latinoequalityalliance.com

Norma Sanchez, Parent Organizer at outreach@latinoequalityalliance.com

Yesenia Mendoza, Development Coordinator at development@latinoequalityalliance.com

Jesus Suatan, Administrative Assistant at youth@latinoequalityalliance.com