Date: Fri, 26 Jun 1998 13:02:26 -0700 From: "LLEGO - the National Latina/o Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Organization" Subject: LLEGO RESPONDS TO ITS EXCLUSION FROM CHICAGO PUERTO RICO DAY PARADE MEDIA RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE JUNE 26, 1998 Contact: Benjamin Sheppard (202) 466-8240 x232 e-mail: aquilgbt@llego.org or benshepp@aol.com LLEGO RESPONDS TO HOMOPHOBIC ATTITUDES FROM CHICAGO PUERTO RICO PARADE COMMITTEE WASHINGTON, DC, JUNE 26, 1998 -- In a letter dated June 16, 1998, Martin Ornelas-Quintero, Executive Director of the National Latina/o Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Organization - LLEGO, began a campaign of protest against Chicago's Puerto Rico Day Parade Committee, citing the treatment by said committee of a LLEGO contingent of Latino/a lesbians, gays, bisexuals and trangenders (LGBT) who participated in the parade. "Several of our encounters with the parade committee have been hostile, unsettling and homophobic", stated Ornelas-Quintero in his letter to Ruben Rosado, president of the Puerto Rico Day Parade committee. Parade staffers asked the organizers of LLEGO's float if they would have nudity, transgenders and gay flags, as well as reminded them that this was not a Gay Pride event, but a Puerto Rican celebration. Rainbow flags and other symbols of the LGBT movement were at first prohibited, then approved. After this, LLEGO was informed that its float was relegated to last place. "This action is truly an insult which cannot go unchallenged. Our members, all LGBT Latinas/os and fair-minded people require that we stand up to this face of injustice, intolerance and bigotry," said Ornelas-Quintero. Members of LLEGO's contingent received insults and homophobic comments from some parade security personnel. As for the parade viewing audience, the reception was vastly warmer. They greeted the participants of LLEGO's float with cheer and applause. "We're demanding an apology and sensitivity training for the parade staff" shared Ornelas-Quintero, "We haven't come this far in 1998 for them to send us to the back of the line. This is a situation where the homophobia and intolerance of a few people - the leadership of the parade committee - fails to reflect the values of the entire community. Here is where we must transcend ignorance and hatred." To know more about The National Latina/o Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Organization- LLEGO, please visit our webpage at www.llego.org . ### ________________________________________________________________________________ LLEGO is a national organization dedicated to effectively addressing the concerns of the Latina/o Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender communities; locally, statewide, nationally and internationally. ________________________________________________________________________________ "The National Latina/o Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Organization" & "LLEGO" are registered trademarks of the National Latina/o Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Organization ________________________________________________________________________________