Statement from Hispanic Federation President and CEO Frankie Miranda Regarding the Senate’s Crucial Step to Pass the Respect for Marriage Act
For Immediate Release: November 16, 2022
Contact: media@hispanicfederation.org
Hispanic Federation President and CEO Frankie Miranda issued the following statement regarding the Senate’s cloture vote to eventually pass the Respect for Marriage Act in the Senate, which would maintain the status quo and protect families by repealing the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), ensuring that all federal benefits are available to married couples no matter where they live, and that states give full faith and credit to all validly celebrated marriages:
“At a time when members of the U.S. Supreme Court are set on rolling back decades of precedent – as they did with Roe v. Wade – Hispanic Federation applauds this bipartisan first step in Congress to protect, defend, and ensure equality for same-sex and interracial couples who choose to marry.
“The Respect for Marriage Act reaffirms our nation’s recognition that all marriages must be treated as equal, and that our government cannot turn its back on anyone simply because of who they love. My husband and I were separated for over ten years, left to navigate a complicated and outdated immigration system because the United States refused to recognize our relationship. I am glad that many are no longer subjected to the same confusion and heartache. Hispanic Federation will continue to fight alongside the 71 percent of Americans who support same-sex marriage, and the 84 percent of Latino Catholics who support LGBTQ+ rights, so that future generations can continue to love who they love free of discrimination. Thank you Majority Leader Chuck Schumer for your leadership and prioritizing the needs of our communities. Now we urge the Senate to formally pass the Respect for Marriage Act so that the House of Representatives and President Biden can swiftly turn this bill into Law.”
On June 14, 2022, Hispanic Federation launched the Advance Change Together (ACT) Initiative, a new and much-needed Latinx LGBTQ+ advocacy and capacity building program that empowers and supports Latinx LGBTQ+ communities. More information can be found here.
