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FAMILIA ES FAMILIA 

Every gay or lesbian person is part of someone’s family—someone’s son or daughter, brother or sister, cousin, aunt or uncle. Our Latino community includes many gay men and lesbians. They are our family members, neighbors, people we work with, and members of our church.

In the Latino community, we don’t turn our backs on family. No member of anyone’s family—gay or straight—should have to face discrimination where they live, at their jobs, or when they hope to marry the person they love.

Latino families are stronger when they are together. By supporting marriage for committed gay and lesbian couples, we strengthen all families in our community.

"I support marriage equality because family is everything to me. I have been married for over 20 years. My husband and I have raised two wonderful daughters whose presence in our life is a complete blessing.  My dear brother Pedro, who is gay, aspires to have his own family, create memories, and grow old surrounded by such love. Marriage equality will give him and others that opportunity.  We were raised to believe that "Familia es Familia" and that is why marriage equality just makes sense." - Nancy Navarro, Montgomery County Councilmember

MARRIAGE PROTECTS FAMILIES

Marriage gives couples the tools and the security to build a life together and to protect their families. Couples get married because they want to be there for each other in sickness and in health, when times are good and when things get tough. Nearly 42% of Latina lesbian couples and nearly one in four Latino gay male couples are raising children. Marriage helps Latino same-sex parents protect their families.

State and federal marriage laws provide a safety net of legal and economic protections for married couples and their children—including the ability to visit your spouse in the hospital and to transfer property, so you can remain in the family home when your spouse has passed away.

MARRIAGE SAYS “WE ARE FAMILY”

Marriage says “We are a family” in a way that no other word does. Gay and lesbian couples may seem different from straight couples, but share similar values—like the importance of family and helping out our neighbors; worries—like making ends meet or the possibility of losing a job; and hopes and dreams—like finding that special someone to grow old with, and standing in front of friends and family to make a lifetime commitment. 

Most people don't understand what a domestic partnership is, but marriage is understood.  Marriage says that these two people belong to one another, that they have chosen each other above all others, that they take responsibility for each other, and that in times of crisis, they will be there for each other. Marriage matters and no one should be denied something so important 

THE IMPORTANCE OF MARRIAGE TO LATINOS

REFLECTING OUR COMMUNITY VALUES 

Once we learn more about it, we realize that marriage matters to gay people in similar ways that it matters to everyone. Gay and lesbian couples want to get married to make a lifetime commitment to the person they love and to protect their families. Allowing them the dignity and respect of marriage is a matter of fairness under the law.Latinos are supporting marriage for same-sex couples because it reflects our community values. We believe in fairness and equality, in loving our neighbor and treating others the way we would want to be treated.

“After 17 years together, to be able  to make a public proclamation of  our love means the world to us  and our families.” - Boe and German, Rockville, MD

CIVIL MARRIAGE WON’T AFFECT CHURCH

 

Civil marriage for gay couples does not affect religious marriages, religious institutions, or clergy in any way.   

Protecting religious freedom is important to Latinos.

This law would protect the right of churches to decide who they will marry, and whose marriages they will recognize in the context of their religious beliefs. Maryland clergy would never have to perform a marriage with which they do not agree.