Hundreds of people participated in the 17th annual Cesar Chavez March for Justice hosted this year by the Mission Hills chapter of the United Farm Workers. This year scores of rainbow flags held aloft by members of BIENESTAR’s LGBT youth advocacy group Proyecto Orgullo mingled with United Farm Workers’ iconic red banner with the black eagle in the center.

Pedro García, Director of Youth Services & Proyecto Orgullo at BIENESTAR, told LGBT POV:

“There were students from many high schools and an Aztec Dancing Group proudly celebrating our heritage to the sounds of drums and the bright colors of feathers and other regalia.

We were the only LGBT contingent at the march.  We marched two miles from Brand Park to the Richie Valens Park in Pacoima. Spectators waived and supported us all. It was an amazing experience. Even cars driving by honked and whistled in support. Los Angeles City Councilmember Richard Alarcón and Fredy Ceja, representative of State Sen. Gil Cedillo’s office, also joined us.

I would like to highlight the great efforts of the SABORES Youth Team – all were present. They helped mobilize our Core Group members and PROYECTO ORGULLO Agents of Change.

We were proud, we were out! Waiving colorful LGBT flags, we chanted for ‘Equal Rights’ and we demanded that ‘Homophobia needs to stop!’”

We received a VERY warm welcome.

The march culminated with a community fair with special performances by local music groups.”

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