History

League of United Latin American Citizens

The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), founded in 1929, is the oldest Hispanic civil rights organization in the United States of America. LULAC was created at a time in our country’s history when Hispanics were denied basic civil and human rights, despite contributions to American society. The founders of LULAC created an organization that empowers its members to create and develop opportunities where they are needed most. For more information, visit www.lulac.org.

LGBTQ and LULAC

The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer Latinx community has always been a part of LULAC, as members and leaders throughout its many decades. But in June 12, 2016, the very first LULAC Council -- created specifically for and by LGBTQ members -- was launched in Dallas, Texas. The Dallas Rainbow Council, LULAC Council 4871, helped start sister councils in San Antonio and Houston. One of the co-founders of the Dallas council helped launched LULAC Lambda in the District of Columbia in 2014.

LULAC Lambda

On Oct. 27, 2014, the DC Latinx LGBTQ community came together to launch LULAC Lambda, Council 11125 (founding members pictured on the left). With nearly 30 members, LULAC Lambda quickly became a popular council within the DC family and won DC Council of the Year in 2015.

Our mission is to mobilize and strengthen the LGBTQI and Latino Communities of Washington, DC through community and civic engagement.

Accomplishments

2015

In 2015, LULAC Lambda won DC Council of the Year at the State Convention, along with Man of the Year for member and president, Victor Martinez. At our holiday party, we bestowed the following awards to members who helped build the organization:

Member of the Year: Luis Torres
Board Member of the Year: Dion Barela
Ally of the Year: National LULAC Office - David Perez

2016

In 2016, LULAC Lambda won two grants to promote nutrition and HIV testing in the District of Columbia.

2017

In 2017, LULAC Lambda members won state council seats: Jesse Garcia, Deputy State Director, and Patricio Provitina, State Director.

In 2017, LULAC Lambda successfully passed resolutions at the state convention in May 2018 and national convention in July 2018:

Awards given that year at our holiday party:

Member of the Year: Mario Reynoso
Board Member of the Year: Patricio Provitina
Ally of the Year: Latino GLBT History Project - Jose Gutierrez

2018

In 2018, LULAC Lambda passed a resolution at the state convention in May 2018 and national convention in July 2018:

LULAC Opposes Conversion Therapy

In 2018, Patricio Provitina was re-elected as State Director of DC LULAC. LULAC Lambda awarded its first scholarship. LULAC Lambda launched two youth councils: Council 17001 at Columbia Heights Education Campus and Council 17002 at E.L. Haynes Public Charter School. Member Alexa Rodriguez was named to the LULAC Women's Commission, becoming the commission's first transgender representative.

Awards given that year at our holiday party:

Member of the Year: Javier Chavez
Board Member of the Year: Erik Rodriquez
Ally of the Year: Human Rights Campaign - Alejandro Aviles

2019

In 2019, LULAC Lambda passed resolutions at the state convention in April 2019 and national convention in July 2019:

In April 2019, Patricio Provitina was re-elected as State Director of DC LULAC state board., along with fellow LULAC Lambda members Deputy Director Erik Rodriquez, Deputy Director for Women Cecilia Sanchez, Deputy Director for Young Adults Joshua Alvarez, and Treasurer Daniel Munoz. Also at the state convention, Joshua Alvarez was named Man of the Year and Letitia Gomez was named Woman of the Year. In May 2019, LULAC Lambda awarded its second annual scholarships - a total of three.

Awards given that year at our holiday party:

Member of the Year: TBD on December 14, 2019
Board Member of the Year: TBD on December 14, 2019
Ally of the Year: TBD on December 14, 2019

Leadership

President

Vice President

Erik Rodriquez, who has been a member since 2017, hails from the San Joaquin Valley of California. He works as a scientist and epidemiologist in Maryland and resides with his husband in DC. He earned a bachelor’s degree from California State University, a master’s degree from Loma Linda University, and a Ph.D. from the University of California.

Vice President

Californian Bri Perez-Brennan was the first in her family to graduate from college. She earned bachelor's degrees in political science, international development studies, along with a minor in labor and workplace studies, with Latin honors, from the University of California Los Angeles. She currently works as a bilingual homeless outreach specialist with the nonprofit Pathways to Housing DC.

Treasurer

Originally from Guanajuato, Mexico, Julio Acevedo migrated to the U.S. in 2001. He grew up in Rhode Island, where he graduated from high school in 2007 with a diploma and a vocational certificate in graphic design and video production. Acevedo currently works as a branch manager at The Maids—the biggest residential cleaning company in the U.S. and Canada. Acevedo oversees its DMV market, producing more than $3.5 million in revenue each year.

Secretary

Treasurer

Daniel Muñoz joined LULAC Lambda in 2018, a year after moving to the DC region from Orlando, Florida. The Colombian-American advertising professional grew up in the U.S. He is passionate about creating community to empower all immigrants and celebrating the Latin American diaspora. He earned a bachelor’s degree in communication and film from the University of Tampa and has been featured in the Washington Blade.