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Washington, DC – The Latino GLBT History Project plans to refocus the history of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Human Rights Movement on a civil rights figure who gave his support before it was politically correct to do so.
The social justice work of César E. Chávez will be commemorated at a public event on the anniversary of his death on Monday, April 23, from 7 to 8:30 p.m., at the Charles Sumner School Museum and Archives, located at 1201 17th St. N.W., in Washington, D.C.
Keynote speaker will be Christine Chávez, who has followed in her grandfather’s footsteps and become an LGBT rights supporter.
“Much has been written about my grandfather’s historic fight for the rights of farmworkers,” said Christine Chávez. “In my opinion one of the most significant actions that he took was to build an inclusive movement. A movement that was not just about the rights of farmworkers, but about the rights of all the disenfranchised in this country.”
She believes her grandfather knew that in order to build a strong union he had to build coalitions with other groups. And one of those groups included LGBT people.
During the 1970s, César Chávez became the first major civil rights leader to publicly support Gay and Lesbian issues. His advocacy earned him a spot at the front of the Second National March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights.
“Our organization is honored to have Christine Chávez share with our community an oral history about what her grandfather advocated for publicly and what he shared at home with his family: equality for all,” said David M. Pérez, president of the Latino GLBT History Project. “We invite the community to learn more about the birth of the modern LGBT rights movement through the perspective of Latino allies.”
The free event will feature light appetizers, plus a question and answer period after Christine Chávez speaks.
For more information about the event and/or to R.S.V.P., email dperez@latinoglbthistory.com.
The Latino GLBT History Project (LHP) is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit volunteer-led organization founded in April 2000 and incorporated in May 2007 to respond to the critical need to preserve and educate about our history. Our mission is to investigate, collect, preserve and educate the public about the history, culture, heritage, arts, social and rich contributions of the Latino GLBT community in metropolitan Washington, D.C. To accomplish our mission, the LHP creates educational exhibits from our historical archives collection showcased at cultural events such as, a Women’s History Month Reception, a Hispanic GLBT Heritage Reception and DC Latino Pride, educational presentations at local and national conferences and through our online virtual museum at www.LatinoGLBTHistory.org.
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