Hispanic group mourns victims of Orlando massacre and stands in solidarity with the LGBTQ community

Washington, D.C. – The Chair of the National Hispanic Leadership Agenda (NHLA), a coalition of 40 of the nation's preeminent Latino advocacy organizations, issued the following statement in response to the mass shooting in Orlando, Florida at the Pulse nightclub, and expressing solidarity with the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) community.  

"We stand in solidarity with our LGBTQ brothers and sisters who were targeted in this heinous attack in Orlando, in which initial reports suggest that the brunt of the suffering fell upon LGBTQ Latinos. We share our deepest condolences and sympathy with the families and loved ones of those who were killed. This was an attack on all of us," said Hector Sanchez, NHLA Chair and Executive Director of the Labor Council for Latin American Advancement. "We hope that those who were injured are able to make a full recovery and encourage all those who are able, to donate blood as soon as possible at the nearest blood donation center to help the survivors." 

The National Hispanic Leadership Agenda is composed of 40 of the leading national and regional Latino civil rights and public policy organizations and other elected officials, and prominent Latinos Americans. NHLA coalition members represent the diversity of the Latino community – Mexican Americans, Puerto Ricans, Cubans, and other Latino Americans. NHLA's mission calls for unity among Latinos around the country to provide the Latino community with greater visibility and a clearer, stronger influence in our country's affairs. NHLA brings together Latino leaders to establish policy priorities that address, and raise public awareness of, the major issues affecting the Latino community and the nation as a whole. For more information, please visit: www.nationalhispanicleadership.org.

The Gayly - 6/12/2016 @ 3:00 p.m. CDT