Left to Right: Esther Hidalgo, Lena Hernandez, Maria De Jesus Serna, Nancy Canas
In the year of its 15th Anniversary, the Latino GLBT History Project (LHP) announces their new board and steering committee members. Cristela Solorio Ruiz is one of three new board members. Ruiz is originally from California and moved to Washington, D.C. for the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute. She has a passion for advocacy, empowerment and building a more inclusive LGBTQ community. She also has served on the planning committee for the Women’s History Month celebration, Mujeres en el Movimiento; and in Connecticut promoted affordable health care education and awareness.
Continuing board members include board president David M. Pérez of the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC); vice president Alexa Rodriguez of ¡Empodérate! Youth Center at La Clíncia del Pueblo; secretary Jose L. Plaza of Enroll America; LHP Founder and DC activist, Jose Gutierrez; May Sifuentes of Parenthood Federation of America, and Jennifer Sanchez, veteran and Schedule C appointee for the Obama Administration.
The LHP Steering Committee members will serve the organization for 1 year by providing strategic advice, promote LHP programs and recruit volunteers. Members include Eddie Ayala, Eric Hernandez, Ivan Aguilar, Letitia Gomez, Diego Sanchez, Paul Marengo, Andy Sampson, Juan Diaz Martinez, Johnny Vasquez, and Marco Antonio Quiroga. The Archives Steering Committee includes: Eric Palladini, Ranald Woodman, and Esther Hidalgo. The Women’s Steering Committee is represented by Nancy Cañas, Lena Hernandez, Miriam Perez, Tamira Ramirez, Jesus Serna, and Angie Ruiz.
“I am excited to expand the history, education, and cultural projects with our past and new board members. The board along with the steering committees will make a great team to ensure that the Latino LGBTQ identity, leadership, and culture will be well represented in [the] Washington, D.C. community,” Jesus Chavez, LHP Program Coordinator.
