Our Story: The Latino Equality Alliance was founded in January of 2009, as a direct response to the passing of Proposition 8, the California ballot initiative that took marriage rights away from same-sex couples. As Latine/x LGBTQ+ activists worked to dismantle Prop 8, our founders recognized a need for building a coalition and coordinated efforts to increase support for LGBTQ+ rights within the Latine/x community. As a result, an alliance of individuals and representatives from several organizations formed the Latino Equality Alliance. LEA's founding mission was to promote liberty, justice, and equality for the Latine/x LGBTQ+ community. Today, as an organization, LEA focuses on building power within the Latinx LGBTQ+ community and advocating for systemic changes that promote healthy and safe environments in schools, homes and neighborhoods for LGBTQ+ youth and families. We ground our work through public education, organized actions, coalition building and leadership development. Our Mission: The mission of Latino Equality Alliance (LEA), a project of Community Partners, is to advocate for safety, equity, and wellness for the Latinx Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer + community. Our organization strongly focuses on youth empowerment, family acceptance, educational equity, public health, and civic engagement. Through coalitions, we strive to build power to elevate the LGBTQ+ voices in Boyle Heights and the greater East Side communities of Los Angeles.