Lesbianas Unidas was a social, educational, cultural and political committee of Gay and Lesbian Latinos Unidos (GLLU), They offered a variety of activities such as Latina Lesbian retreats, workshops, parties and other social/cultural events. 

Lesbianas Unidas: A Committee Formed from GLLU

Origins & Formation:
 Lesbianas Unidas (LU) was founded as a committee within Gay and Lesbian Latinos Unidos (GLLU) in the early 1980s. While GLLU sought to advocate for LGBTQ+ Latinos as a whole, many lesbian members felt that their specific issues and voices were not always adequately represented. As a result, they formed their own subgroup within GLLU to focus on the unique challenges faced by Latina lesbians.

Goals & Advocacy:

Legacy & Influence:
 While LU began as part of GLLU, its existence highlighted the need for independent Latina lesbian organizations. The work of LU influenced later groups, including the formation of Lesbianas Unidas Los Angeles, an independent organization that continues to serve Latina lesbians today. LU’s legacy also contributed to greater awareness of intersectional issues within both LGBTQ+ and Latino activism.

Lesbianas Unidas (LU) was established in 1983 as a task force within Gay and Lesbian Latinos Unidos (GLLU) to address the unique challenges faced by Latina lesbians.

source: chicano.ucla.edu

The formation of LU provided a dedicated space for Latina lesbians to connect, share experiences, and advocate for their rights within both the LGBTQ+ and Latino communities.

Key Individuals:

Activities and Impact:

Through the dedication of its members and leaders, Lesbianas Unidas has played a significant role in empowering Latina lesbians, fostering community, and advocating for intersectional rights within both the LGBTQ+ and Latino communities.


The Lesbians of Gay and Lesbian Latinos Unidos sponsor "Sharing Our Historias" series of raps at the Gay and Lesbian Community Services Center 12113 N Highland Avenue, L.A. 213-464-7400 ext 434 Geneva or Ext 246 Jay Jay One: "Coming Out to La Familia" - May 21st, 6-8 pm, meet at the Center lobby. Two: "The Chicana Experience (open to all Latina lesbians) - June 25th, 6-8 p.m, Rm. 207 Three: "Católicas "(open to gay Latinos) - July 24th 8-10 p.m., Rm. 203 Four: "Dinero: iQue es la importancia?/Classism" - Aug. 28th 8-10 p.m., Rm. 203. Five: "Latinas : Avenues for Community Involvement" -Sept. (date, time and place announced at prior mitg Six: "Lesbian Vision/Vista del Futuro" - Oct. (date, time and place announced at prior mtgs) As a committee of G.L.L.U., the Lesbianas (Lesbian Task Force) Serve as a support group for Latinas. This is meant to encourage more lesbian participation within G.L.L.U. It is also a means to address the specific issues and needs of Látinas.

The Lesbians of Gay and Lesbian Latinos Unidos sponsor "Sharing Our Historias" series of raps at the Gay and Lesbian Community Services Center.

One: "Coming Out to La Familia" - May 21st, 6-8 pm, meet at the Center lobby.

Two: "The Chicana Experience (open to all Latina lesbians) - June 25th, 6-8 p.m, Rm. 207

Three: "Católicas "(open to gay Latinos) - July 24th 8-10 p.m., Rm. 203

Four: "Dinero: iQue es la importancia?/Classism" - Aug. 28th 8-10 p.m., Rm. 203.

Five: "Latinas : Avenues for Community Involvement" -Sept. (date, time and place announced at prior meetings

Six: "Lesbian Vision/Vista del Futuro" - Oct. (date, time and place announced at prior meetings)

As a committee of G.L.L.U., the Lesbianas (Lesbian Task Force) Serve as a support group for Latinas. This is meant to encourage more lesbian participation within G.L.L.U. It is also a means to address the specific issues and needs of Látinas.

Lesbianas Unidas Mission Statement (1994):

"Lesbians Unidas seeks to be a grassroots organization that empowers Latina lesbians. LU shall promote a unique culture that honors our diversity and creates a sense of community by preserving our unique herstory, honoring our accomplishments, and organizing educational and other projects that build pride. LU shall engage in political advocacy on issues that affect our communities and shall promote projects and undertake actions that make us visible to the general public. Moreover, LU is committed to struggle against racim, sexism,  classism, ageism, homophobia, biphobia and all other forms of oppression. Our strength lies in the unity we foster by honoring the richness of our diversity."

Declaracion De Principios Lesbianas Unidas (1994): 

"Lesbians Unidas tiene como meta ser una organización de base que luchara por ayudar a lesbianas Latinas a reclamar su poder. LU promoverá una cultura única que hora nuestra diversidad y fomenta un sentido de comunidad por medio de preservar nuestra historia única, honrar nuestros logros y organizar proyecto seducativos y otros proyectos que fortalezcan nuestro orgullo. LU participara en actividades políticas pertinentes a nuestras comunidades y promoverá proyectos y tomara acción para darns visibilidad en el publico en general. Además, LU es una organización dedicada a luchar en contra del racismo, sexismo, la discrimination por clase o edad, homofobia, bifobia, y todo clase de opresion. Nuestra fuerza reside en la unidad que fomentamos honrando la riqueza de nuestra diversidad."

Created by Susana Brito who was on the Lesbianas Unidas Steering Committee.
scan provided by Veronica Flores

"In recognition, Lesbianas Unidas thanks the following people for their time work and talents throughout this past year :

Margie
Lannette Alvarez  
Eileen Pagan
Griselda Benitez
Brenda Campos
Carmen Canto
Melena De Olga
Naomi Flores
Veronica Flores
Marcia Gonzales
Rita Gonzales
Veronica Lopez
Mercedes Marquez
Carmen Noriega
Lydia Otero

Cookie Ortiz
Eileen Pagan
Sere Padilla
Monica Palacios
Mache Perez
Elena Popp
Lola Rendon
Yolanda Retter
Sandy Rubio
Candy  Sosa
Ana Maris Soto
Pam Villareal
Becky Villasenor


We also want to thank all the women who supported the events with their presence.

Gracias!
Steering Committee Retreat 1989"

"A FEW REASONS FOR ATTENDING THE LATINA LESBIAN RETREAT Attending the Latina Lesbian Retreat offers us many varied growth opportunities and challenges, here are some reasons why the latina lesbians of Los Angeles seek out a comforting space in the mountains of San Bernardino to be amongst each other celebrating our unity and our pride. "I need to be touched with compassion and understanding by my lesbian sisters ... my family doesn't understand me and this weekend means enjoying the company of myself and my sisters. "The workshops have always enlightened me and I have walked out with a much needed creative force to outline my political and spiritual path as a latina and as a lesbian throughout the year "The massage workshop has helped me open up to new concepts of me. I leave this workshop feeling powerful and restful about anything I want to express, but mostly I get to freely communicate my concerns of buiiding coalitions between ourselves always walk out with telephone numbers and new friends. "I am shy and remember my own fears in attending a retreat where I wasn't going to know most women there, but the friendliness I felt right away from the women made me feel very relaxed.' "Latina Lesbians have a lot of valuable insight to share with one another, in a strong way, I am always seeking the knowledge of other Latina Lesbians and that is why I go to the retreat." "BE A PART OF OUR YEARLY RETREAT! The Lesbians Unidas Annual Retreat is more than just fun. It is more than just swimming, hiking, dancing, meeting new women. It is also about sharing an all Latina Lesbian environment, learning about the differences within our culture. Through workshops, talking, feeling… the sky is the limit! The time for our Ninth Annual Latina Lesbian Retreat is nearing and we are very excited in planning the workshops, sports activities and Saturday's "Noche Cultural" dance and program. Plan to attend this wonderful weekend of fun spiritual experience with other women, being with our friends and establishing new friendships. Please fill-out the enclosed registration form and send it along with your deposit or full payment to: GLLU/LU RETREAT PO. Box 85459 Los Angeles, CA 90072 If you need additional information regarding accommodations, location or possible financial assistance please call: (213) 344-0779. See you in the mountains! September 18, 19, and 20, 1992. ” Participate in the Retreat If you have any suggestions for workshops at the retreat or would like to conduct a workshop, participate in the "Noche Cultural" or volunteer, please call (213) 344-0779 or Rosalie Barco at (818) 282-6093." "Sea Parte De Nuestro Retiro Anual! El retiro es más que una diversión. Es más que nadar, una caminata, bailar, conocer nuevas mujeres. Se trata tambien acerca de compartir on un ambiente lleno de lesbians latinas, aprender acerca de las diferencias dentro de nuestras culturas. Atravez de tallerez, conversaciones, y expresar nuestros sentimientos… El cielo es el único que tiene limites! El tiempo de nuestro noveno retiro anual para Lesbianas Latinas se esta acercando y nosotras estamos animadamente haciendo planes para los talleres, actividades deportivas y el baile del sabado "Noche Cultural." Hagan planes para tender este maravílloso fin de semana lleno de diversiones, experiencias spirituals con otras mujeres. Vengan a ver a sus amigas y a estableces nuevas amistades. Por favor llene está forma de registración adjunta y enviela de regreso junto con su deposito para el: GLLULU RETREAT P.O. Box 85459, Los Angeles, CA 90072 Si ustedes necesitan información adicional acerca de acomidaciones, locación ó posible ayuda financiera por favor llamar a este numero de telefono: (213) 344-0779. Nos vemos en las montañas! Septiembre 18, 19, 20, 1992." Participen en el Retiro Si ustedes tienen sugesencias para talleres o estan interesadas en conducir una taller voluntariamente por favor llamenos al (213) 344-0779 or a Rosalie Barco: (818) 282-6093"

Lesbianas Unidas Newsletter Volume 1 No.5
July-August 1992

Testimonials from Latina Lesbians who have been on the retreat on the far left side, and more information on how to participate can be found in the center bottom of the page. 

“BE A PART OF OUR YEARLY RETREAT!

The Lesbians Unidas Annual Retreat is more than just fun. It is more than just swimming, hiking, dancing, meeting new women. It is also about sharing an all Latina Lesbian environment, learning about the differences within our culture. Through workshops, talking, feeling… the sky is the limit!”

Sea Parte De Nuestro Retiro Anual!

El retiro es más que una diversión. Es más que nadar, una caminata, bailar, conocer nuevas mujeres. Se trata tambien acerca de compartir on un ambiente lleno de lesbians latinas, aprender acerca de las diferencias dentro de nuestras culturas. Atravez de tallerez, conversaciones, y expresar nuestros sentimientos… El cielo es el único que tiene limites!”