Latino #LGBTQ Advocacy Organization Elects Board Chair

Marco Antonio Gonzalez (Photo – Latino Equality Allianc)

The Latino Equality Alliance (LEA), a leading LatinX LGBTQ+ social justice and advocacy nonprofit organization in Los Angeles, recently announced the election of its 2021-2023 executive advisory board.

By News Desk

Leading the organization’s executive board are Board Chair Marco Antonio Gonzalez, a seasoned international corporate communications executive; Vice Chair Stephen Chavez, CEO of Chavez PR; and Secretary Liliana T. Perez, cultural affairs director for the Los Angeles Chargers. Also serving on the board are Jaime Gallardo, holistic therapist, and LEA co-founder Ari Gutierrez Arambula, director of Government Advertising, Daily Journal Corporation.

“I am truly honored to have the opportunity to serve as chair for LEA’s Advisory Board. This is an organization that is very dear and near to my heart and I look forward to continuing moving forward, along with my fellow board members, the advocacy and social justice work we do on behalf of our LatinX LGBTQ youth and their families. I am privileged to serve this great organization and am committed to continue fomenting its mission and advancing its work in our community,” stated Gonzalez.

Gonzalez says his top goal as chair will be to increase board size and help with fundraising. He brings more than 15 years of experience in the nonprofit sector, which dates back to his earlier work as Director of Communications for United Way of Greater Los Angeles. Most recently, he was the architect behind the Unidos Contigo community relations initiative for Estrella Media.

Eddie Martinez, LEA’s executive director, said:

Marco’s bicultural background and bilingual prowess will definitely be an added value that will continue to enhance and promote LEA’s ongoing efforts and work among the Spanish-speaking community we serve in the Greater Los Angeles area. We are enthusiastic about his new board leadership role and are ready to work very closely with him and the rest of the Board.

For more than 10 years, LEA, a project of Community Partners, has advocated for equity, safety, and wellness for the LatinX Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer + community. Current projects LEA is undertaking include:

• 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 withThe Wellness Center, LEA has mobilized 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.

LEA hosts a number of fundraising events each year to raise money for LGBTQ+ scholarships, such as the annual Purple Lily Awards Gala and the upcoming in-person Calavera Festival on Saturday, Oct. 23.