The Hispanic Federation, a service-oriented membership organization that works with over 90 Latino health and human services agencies in the Northeast to promote the social, political and economic well-being of the Latino community, endorsed marriage equality for gay and lesbian couples living in New York. In a statement released on Friday, the group said:

“For more than 20 years, the Hispanic Federation has advocated for fair and inclusive policies to protect all Latino families and has worked to end discrimination against all Latinos,” said Lillian Rodriguez Lopez, President of the Hispanic Federation. ”The Hispanic Federation has a history of supporting our lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender brothers and sisters and understands that not being able to marry the persons they love puts them and their loved ones at risk.” “History has shown us that we have to be brave and fight for what is right...We are dedicated to making sure all members of the Latino community have the necessary social, political and economic resources to protect and provide for their families. For individuals and communities, this is not a reality without full and inclusive marriage equality."