ALMA MISSION

Tomorrow is Election Day!

For those of us who have the privilege of voting, we must exercise that right.

With so much at stake, it is our duty and responsibility to show up at the voting booth and vote for our community.

To prepare for your ballot, visit BallotReady.
BallotReady will populate your sample ballot and provide additional information.

It is not too late to register to vote.

In Illinois, you can register to vote at any point, including on election day. You must find your Election Authority (ex. Chicago Board of Elections, or the Cook County Clerk) and learn how to register. To find your election authority, click here.

Trump’s ongoing attack on our immigrant community

The Trump Administration has proposed changes to our immigration system, this time going after low-income immigrants. This new proposed rule would bar an individual who is likely to become a “public charge” to update their status to lawful permanent resident.

A “public charge” as defined by the U.S Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) referee to an individual who is likely to become dependent on government for subsistence, as demonstrated by either the receipt of public cash assistance – such as Social Security Income, or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF).

What this means is that any immigrant using these resources may not be allowed to eventually become a lawful permanent resident.

Make no mistake this is a direct attack on our families.

To learn more about the Public Charge, click here and here.

Organizations and individuals can submit a formal comment on the proposed rule changes. To submit a comment, click here.

Governor Rauner shifts blame on immigrants

Earlier this week, Governor Rauner blamed our State’s immigrant community for the high unemployment rate and high violence affecting our City. Particularly, he tried to draw a wedge between the Black and Latino communities across Illinois.

He said:

“Illegal immigration takes jobs away from Americans. It holds down wages, hurts union workers, farmworkers, factory workers, hurts wages and raises unemployment….One of the reasons we have such high unemployment in the city of Chicago and so much crime is the massive number of illegal immigrants here take jobs away from American citizens and Chicago citizens.”

As a nonprofit organization, ALMA does not endorse or oppose candidates running for office. But, we have a moral obligation to speak up and hold our existing elected officials and those seeking a public office. Today we want to make it very clear that we are completely disappointed by the Governor’s words.

Instead of trying to unite people, especially those from some of the most marginalized communities, the Governor has chosen to use feckless rhetoric to make cheap points. Immigrants continue to contribute in many ways to our State – economically, socially, and politically.

But we won’t allow the Governor or the President build walls between communities. LGBTQ people of color have built strong alliances with one another for many years. It was Black and Brown LGBTQ activists who led the LGBTQ movement, and we continue to do so today. We built these alliances because our lives depended on it. We know better.

The LGBTQ Latinx Vote!

There’s an important election coming up on Tuesday, November 6. With so much at stake on the ballot, ALMA Chicago and Equality Illinois are teaming up to demonstrate the electoral power of LGBTQ Illinoisans.

Commit to vote today. Click here.

While we know that not everyone has the ability to vote, we encourage all those who can – to exercise this privilege.

Through the Commit to Vote initiative, we aim to secure commitments from LGBTQ equality voters to vote in the Illinois General Election on November 6.  By doing so, we can demonstrate the might of the LGBTQ equality voter base.

Every vote matters. In 2014, the gubernatorial election in Illinois was decided by ONLY 134,000 votes. Thus, thousands of LGBTQ equality voters committing to vote and then voting in 2018 can have a major impact on the outcome of the election. We have the power!

If you commit to vote, you’ll be contacted in advance of the election to remind you to get out and vote.

Commit to vote today!

We won’t go back when WE VOTE!

Remembering Marcia Lipetz

This week, we were sadden to hear the news of the passing of our dear friend, Marcia Lipetz. Marcia played a huge role in the growth of the LGBTQ infrastructure in Chicago.

Our Board president, Julio Rodriguez, remembers Marcia as a dear friend and a comrade in the movement. “As a friend and fellow activist, we’ve lost one of the big leaders in our community. She was someone whose heart and soul exemplified what it meant to fight diligently.” ALMA will always remember Marcia as an ally of our organization, but most importantly, as a friend who truly cared for all of our communities.

To read more about Marcia, click here.

Congratulations to Dulce Quintero ALMA Board member for being named to Crain’s Chicago Business LGBT Leadership list

Today ALMA, the Hispanic Lawyers Association, La Casa Norte marched in unity with the Latino Policy Forum and thousands of others against the anti-immigrant to policies of the President and his Republican allies in Congress

ALMA and Vives Q do Aurora 1st. Pride Parade.

Dear Familia,

Today marks the two year anniversary of the Pulse Shooting in Orlando. On this day, we remember the lives we lost to that senseless hate crime. The victims, mostly LGBTQ Latinos, spent their last minutes in a club they considered to be a safe place. On this day, we continue to honor these individuals, our 49 dancers.

We will never let hate win.

Con amor,
ALMA

Yesterday, the United States Supreme Court announced its decision in the Masterpiece Cakeshop v. Colorado Civil Rights Commission. In its decision, the Court sided with the baker stating that the Colorado Civil Rights Commission violated the baker’s religious right when he refused to serve a same-sex couple. One thing to note is that the Court was very narrow in its decision and it was only targeted to this specific case.

To be clear: the law has not changed. Private businesses do not have the license to start discriminating against LGBTQ individuals. This is also not a victory for those who wish to see our LGBTQ community back in the closet.

It is important to understand that this was never about cake or the baker. This was about protecting LGBTQ individuals and their families, and this was about our dignity and respect. We celebrate the faith-driven organizations and individuals who have championed our cause, and still we believe that no business should use the veil of religious freedom to discriminate against us. No business, regardless of size or the private owners’ beliefs, should ever dictate who it can or cannot serve. As an LGBTQ Latinx organization, we vow to work with our allies in the Latino community to ensure that all Latino-owned businesses understand that.

Lastly, while our laws have not changed, we call on our state leaders to stand boldly in defense of the Illinois Human Rights Act, and locally the Chicago Human Rights Ordinance. As evidenced by today, we must remain vigilant and we must stay committed to fighting – we are not going back to the days of state-sanctioned discrimination.

In action,

The Association of Latina/os Motivating Action (ALMA)

ALMA and Equality Illinois host the first Latinx LGBTQ town hall meeting with three Latinx state legislators.

ALMA Board celebrates another successful year and honors Latinx LGBTQ a Leader, a innovative group and corporate ally at this year’s ALMA 2^nd Annual Winter Salsa fundraiser

ALMA winter salsa has dancing, awards

by Jerry Nunn, Windy City Times
2018-04-04

http://www.windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/ALMA-winter-salsa-has-dancing-awards

ALMA celebrates and honors all the LGBTQ Latinx Hall of Fame inductees and 30 under 30 recipients