About Us
LULAC
The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), founded in 1929, is the oldest Latinx civil rights organization in the United States. LULAC was created at a time in our country’s history when Latinx folks were denied basic civil and human rights, despite contributions to American society. The founders of LULAC created an organization that empowers its members to create and develop opportunities where they are needed most. Members form local councils that help address community issues. These local councils report to their area districts. These area districts report to state officers. State officers report to a national board. For more information, please visit www.lulac.org.
Rainbow Revolution
The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and more (LGBTQ+) Latinx community has always been a part of LULAC, both as members and leaders, throughout its many decades. On June 12, 2016, the very first LGBTQ+ LULAC Council -- created specifically for and by LGBTQ+ members -- was launched in Dallas, Texas. It was named The Dallas Rainbow Council, LULAC Council 4871. LGBTQ+ councils were later established in San Antonio, Washington D.C., Corpus Christi, the Rio Grande Valley, Northern Virginia and San Juan. In 2014, one of the co-founders of the Dallas council helped launch LULAC Lambda in the District of Columbia.
LULAC Lambda
On Oct. 27, 2014, the community came together to launch LULAC Lambda, Council 11125. Our mission is to mobilize and strengthen the LGBTQ+ and Latinx communities of the D.C. through community and civic engagement.
Past Presidents include Victor Martinez (2014-2015), Alberto Flores (2015-2016), Jesse Garcia (2016-2020) and Erik Rodriquez (2020-2022).
Our 2023 Leadership
Javier Aquino
Javier is an experienced director and manager for the American Psychological Association working in legal and regulatory affairs related to advocacy for rural mental health, state and local mental health providers, and government relations. As a longstanding member of DC's drag community, he has advocated for and built local spaces for queer joy and expression.
Stephanie Medina
Jonathan Ayala
Jonathan Ayala is originally from El Paso, Texas, and has lived in DC for more than ten years. He is an Associate Program Manager at the National Minority AIDS Council. There, he helps manage the 50+ Healthy program, which builds advocacy capacity among Long-Term Survivors and/or older adults living with HIV. He is a graduate of Northwestern University and the University of Texas at El Paso, where he earned an MFA in creative writing. He is a fiction writer and has participated in several writers workshops and has been published in several journals.
Erik Rodriquez
Erik is an epidemiologist by training and works as a scientist studying the health of Latinx individuals. He received his Ph.D. from the University of California, Davis; M.P.H. from Loma Linda University; and B.S. from California State University, Fresno.
Zoey McShane
Zoey McShane is in Wesley Theological Seminary’s master’s program. Working at the Human Rights Campaign and as a Sexual Education Teacher for a local church, Zoey hopes to become a tool for change as a Theologian and Minister.
Deshawn Cook
Aaron Reyna
Aaron J. Reyna is the Policy Chair for LULAC Lambda. Currently, he is employed at UnidosUS as a Program Manager in the Workforce Development Component and a doctoral candidate (EdD) in Education Policy and Evaluation at Florida State University with a focus on program implementation. He has been involved in LULAC through the Collegiate Council at Texas State University and Young Adult Council in San Antonio and currently volunteers his time by serving as the Director of Policy Research for Texas TRIO and Chair of the Public Affairs Committee for the American Association of Adult and Continuing Education.
Eddie Gonzalez
Jesse Garcia
Jesse is a communications professional who has worked in public affairs for the federal government for 26 years. He attended schools in San Antonio, Texas, earning a B.A. from Our Lady of the Lake University and a M.A. from St. Mary’s University.
Michael Ramirez
Michael’s career in Human Resources spanned 30 years in federal and DC government and private industry. Since a teenager, Michael has been actively involved in and managed several political campaigns at the local, state and federal levels. A former Peace Corps Volunteer having served two tours of duty in Honduras, Michael has a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work from the University of Texas at Austin, and a Master’s degree in Social Work and Public Administration from the Lyndon Baines Johnson School of Public Affairs, University of Texas. Currently, Michael is actively involved with various DC area theatre boards and committees.