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:
Community Building: LU provided a space for Latina lesbians to connect, share experiences, and support one another in a safe and inclusive environment.
Political Engagement: The group engaged in activism related to both LGBTQ+ rights and women’s rights, advocating against discrimination in both Latino and queer communities.
HIV/AIDS Awareness: Like GLLU, LU played a crucial role in outreach and education, particularly addressing the ways HIV/AIDS impacted Latina women and the LGBTQ+ community as a whole.
Cultural & Social Activities: LU organized events, discussions, and workshops that celebrated Latina lesbian identity, helping foster pride and visibility.
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:
Laura Esquivel: A pivotal figure in LU's inception, Esquivel co-founded the group in 1983.
source: chicano.ucla.edu
She later became the first female president of GLLU in 1984 and went on to establish other organizations, including LLEGÓ, the National Latina/o Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Organization.
source: calisphere.org
Rita Gonzales: An active member of GLLU, Gonzales served as its president in 1986.
glluarchive.com
She also contributed to LU's initiatives and was involved in organizing Latina lesbian retreats, fostering community and solidarity among members.
source: hcn.org
Activities and Impact:
Latina Lesbian Retreats: LU organized annual retreats, with the first taking place in October 1984.
source: hcn.org
These retreats provided a safe and supportive environment for members to discuss issues pertinent to their identities and experiences.
Community Engagement: LU collaborated with various organizations, such as the Connexxus Women's Center, and participated in events like International Women's Day.
source: oac.cdlib.org
These efforts aimed to address intersectional challenges related to racism, sexism, and homophobia.
Organizational Evolution: In 1993-1994, LU restructured to become an independent entity separate from GLLU.
source: oac.cdlib.org
This transition allowed LU to prioritize projects and issues specific to its members, further solidifying its role as a cornerstone for Latina lesbian advocacy in Los Angeles.
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.
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.
"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."
"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"
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!”