Los Angeles, CA(March 16^th 2010). At a press conference today, leaders and members of the Latino Community as well as the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Community responded to the numerous and recently expressed homophobic assertions by the popular singer Paquita La Del Barrio; who among of the many things said, reaffirmed that she would rather have children starve to death than to be adopted by same sex couples. With nation-wide radio and television media coverage about this issue, today BIENESTAR held a press conference in Los Angeles, CA to address the attacks and to educate the Latino Community about this matter.

Oscar De La O, President & CEO of BIENESTAR, spoke about the damage that a public figure causes by sharing homophobic views with the media and when showing complete ignorance about the subject, and also invited the popular singer to educate herself before making such inhumane comments. De La O also explained that the fight for Social Justice by agencies like BIENESTAR, is that much more difficult to accomplish when the public’s opinion is misguided by negative messages that continue to foster hatred and intolerance.

Other invited guests who spoke within their respective fields of expertise about the issue included: Victor Martínez, Director of Programs & Public Affairs at BIENESTAR, Pedro García, Director of Youth Services & PROYECTO ORGULLO at BIENESTAR, Jorge-Mario Cabrera, Director of Community Education and Public Affairs of CHIRLA (Coalition for Human Rights  of Los Angeles), Fredy Ceja, Senator Gilbert Cedillo Field Office Representative, Jorge Díaz, Mental Health therapist at BIENESTAR, and Roberto Meléndez, PFLAG (Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays) group co-facilitator in Los Angeles.

In addition, Viola Dorantes, the singer’s sister sent a letter and joined the press conference via telephone from Mexico City, in which she expressed her disagreement about the comments made by her sister and added that “to my friends of the Gay community I apologize for the offensive words that my sister said, I hope that she finds whole-hearted redemption and not just to be on good terms with the media… it would be best for her not to express her homophobic self, and that (she should know) that a word may ruin the lives of many.”

The intent of this event was not to boycott the singer’s scheduled activities, but to demand that before making this type of comments that deeply hurt the community, that she educates herself and finally, to invite other Latino celebrities to join BIENESTAR’s anti-homophobia campaign and to support the immediate stop to these homophobic attacks.

BIENESTAR is committed to enhancing the health and well-being of the Latino community and other underserved communities. BIENESTAR accomplishes this through community education, prevention, mobilization, advocacy and the provision of direct social services. For more information call (323) 727-7896 o visit www.BIENESTAR.org