Hispanic Federation and Allies Demand Federal Protections as States Escalate Attacks on LGBTQ+ Community
WASHINGTON, D.C. – With over 527 anti-LGBTQ bills introduced across the U.S. in 2024, the Hispanic Federation, the nation’s premier Latine advocacy group, united with top Latine LGBTQ+ advocates, U.S. Rep Darren Soto, and U.S. Rep Mark Takano on Tuesday, July 9 to demand that Congress take action to protect LGBTQ+ rights ahead of the 2024 elections.
Advocates pushed for federal legislation that provides protections against the wave of anti-LGBTQ+ legislation being introduced in state legislatures across the country.
The groups – part of HF’s ACT initiative – urged Congress to pass numerous bills including:
- The Equality Act (S.5/H.R.15): H.R. 15 would establish uniform and explicit anti-discrimination protections for LGBTQ+ individuals across key areas of life, including employment, housing, credit, education, public spaces and services, federally funded programs, and jury service.
- The Healthy Families Act (S.1664/H.R.3409): H.R. 3409 would provide employees the opportunity to earn a minimum of seven paid sick days per year to care for their families or themselves, helping relieve many hardworking Americans who struggle to meet their own healthcare needs and those of their family members.
- The PrEP Access and Coverage Act (S.2188/H.R.4392): The PrEP Access and Coverage Act would require all private and public insurance plans to cover the HIV prevention pill and related services with no out-of-pocket costs for patients.
Hispanic Federation President and CEO Frankie Miranda, along with LGBTQ+ leaders from 19 organizations spanning Arizona, California, Colorado, Washington D.C., Florida, Illinois, Georgia, North Carolina, Puerto Rico, and New York, shared personal stories that highlight the pressing needs of the Latine LGBTQ+ community and provide examples of the discriminatory policies from which our communities need protections.
“With over 7 million Latine LGBTQ+ individuals in the U.S., LGBTQ+ rights are inherently Latine issues. Amid increasing anti-LGBTQ+ and anti-immigrant legislation, Illinois remains a safe state, while surrounding states have enacted discriminatory laws. LGBTQ+ migrants face significant vulnerability with limited protections. It is essential to safeguard and ensure equal rights for those at the intersection of marginalized identities,” said Manuel Hernández, Executive Director of the Association of Latinos/as/xs Motivating Action.
Latinx LGBTQ+ organizations receive just $5 million annually, but the Hispanic Federation’s investment has significantly disrupted this, increasing funding by 20%. In just the first year, the program has awarded up to $50,000 to 27 organizations that serve Latinx LGBTQ+ communities. Today’s press conference marks the first unveiling of the Advance Change Together (ACT) Initiative’s legislative policy agenda. Launched in June 2022 with an initial $1 million investment, the ACT Initiative supports frontline organizations with grants, training, and convenings, while also addressing often-ignored intersectional issues such as immigration, race, culture, and language access. After two years of national convenings where Latine LGBTQ+ leaders have shared their communities’ common experiences, the Hispanic Federation is bringing the ACT Initiative grantees together to amplify their voices in the halls of power and stand up for LGBTQ+ rights.
“In recent years we have seen an unprecedented spike in the number of anti LGBTQ+ legislation being introduced across the country. The Latine LGBTQ+ community has historically faced unique challenges and discrimination, and as these attacks continue to get bolder we need to amplify our voices and make it clear that our rights are non-negotiable,” said Frankie Miranda, President and CEO of Hispanic Federation. “In 2022, Hispanic Federation launched the ACT initiative to provide support for organizations fighting on the frontlines for Latine LGBTQ+ rights. Today, we have gathered over one dozen ACT grantees at our nation’s capital to tell Congress and our presidential nominees to recognize our needs, and prioritize comprehensive federal protections that reflect our cultural and social realities. We stand united in demanding action, justice, and equity for all.”
“It is an honor to have the support of the Hispanic Federation in advancing and securing LGBTQ+ equality,” said Congressman Mark Takano, a Co-Chair of the Congressional Equality Caucus. “We’ll keep coming together to support our LGBTQ+ community and are lucky to have strong allies like the Hispanic Federation to stand with us in the fight for equality. They understand that we need to recognize and support the dignity of every human.”
“I’m proud to work with the Hispanic Federation to safeguard LGBTQ+ rights in Florida and across the country. We’re working on critical legislation to establish anti-discrimination protections and build a path towards equality,” said Congressman Darren Soto (FL-09).
About Hispanic Federation
The Hispanic Federation (HF) is a nonprofit membership and advocacy organization, founded in 1990, with a mission to empower and advance the Hispanic community, focusing on low-income, marginalized, and immigrant Latinos. With offices in New York, Connecticut, Washington, D.C., North Carolina, Florida, Puerto Rico, and additional programs in 41 states, its program focus areas include immigration, economic empowerment, civic engagement, disaster relief, philanthropy, education, health, and the environment. HF also maintains ongoing public education campaigns and meets the organizational development needs of its member agencies through grant-making and capacity-building assistance.
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