The League of United Latino American Citizens (LULAC) has endorsed equal marriage rights for gay and lesbian couples.

On Saturday, the final day of the group's 83rd annual convention in Orlando, Florida, LULAC approved a resolution in support of marriage equality.

"Today the LULAC National Membership reaffirmed its commitment to equality for all by voting in favor of marriage equality," Jesse Garcia, LULAC member and co-founder of the organization's first LGBT Council, said in a statement. "LULAC stands with great Latino leaders like Dolores Huerta, San Antonio Mayor Julian Castro and Labor Secretary Hilda Solis who believe discrimination of same-sex couples should not be tolerated. This is a historic day for LGBT Latinos everywhere, plus this vote is another bond that reaffirms the partnership between the LGBT and Hispanic communities."

LULAC joins the National Council of La Raza (NCLR) and the NAACP, the nation's oldest civil rights group, in issuing such a resolution.

Evan Wolfson, founder and president of Freedom to Marry, cheered the move.

"Today's vote by the League of United Latino American Citizens in favor of the freedom to marry reflects LULAC's longstanding support for inclusion and equality, and mirrors the values of a growing majority of Latinos in this country who know that every gay or lesbian person is part of someone's family – a son or daughter, a brother or sister, a loved one – and no family members should face discrimination when they hope to marry the person they love," Wolfson said in a statement. "Latino gay couples seek the freedom to marry to affirm and strengthen their love and commitment and their ability to take care of each other and their families; government should not be putting barriers in their way. Freedom to Marry applauds LULAC's strong stand for justice and looks forward to working together to secure the freedom to marry for all gay and lesbian Latinos, and all Americans."


Article provided in partnership with On Top Magazine