Do Hispanic-Americans in Maryland Support Same-Sex Marriage?

CASA of Maryland’s advocacy for next month's referendum on same-sex marriage has sparked the ire of religious leaders

  Polls say one thing, but religious leaders say another on the question of whether Hispanic-Americans in Maryland will support same-sex marriage in next month's landmark referendum. National and statewide polling of Latinos has shown a steady turn in favor of same-sex marriage. The Pew Research Center published a poll last week that shows “rapidly growing support” for gay marriage among Hispanics nationwide, with 52 percent for and 34 percent against. It is the first time that a Pew poll showed a majority of Latinos in favor of same-sex marriage. That support divides along religious lines. An April poll commissioned by the National Council of La Raza found that 79 percent of atheist or agnostic Latinos support same-sex marriage, 67 …

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Unlikely Allies? Dream Act and Same-Sex Marriage Advocates Join Forces

With two months until Election Day, a new campaign is launched to win two controversial ballot initiatives.

  Casa de Maryland, the state’s largest immigrant advocacy organization, and Equality Maryland, the largest LGBT rights group, have forged an alliance to convince voters to approve same-sex marriage and to allow certain college-bound illegal immigrant students to pay in-state tuition. Dubbed “Familia es Familia,” the campaign launched Tuesday in Langley Park with advocates framing same-sex marriage and the Maryland Dream Act as kindred causes grounded in a family-first sensibility. The campaign will draw its persuasive power from the personal experiences of young, LGBT immigrants. Montgomery County Councilwoman Nancy Navarro told the story of her brother Pedro, who came out to her and her sister 17 years ago, reported The Washington Blade…

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CASA Volunteer Awarded for Efforts

Tomika Holmes was chosen for a Forty Under 40 award for her work with the Hyattsville-area CASA.

Absentee Ballots: Bringing Out Hispanic Votes?

Councilman Carlos Lizanne (Ward 4) said "no excuse" absentee ballots allow residents who traditionally work long hours to cast their vote.

Since 2008, Maryland registered voters have been able to cast absentee votes without providing a specific reason. In 2009, a Hyattsville councilmember was able to take advantage of this with the Hispanic community. “Matter of fact, that was probably the way I won that election,” said Councilmember Carlos Lizanne (Ward 4). Lizanne won his council seat by 20 votes, with half of his 82 votes being absentee ballot. His 41 absentee votes were 34 percent of the 121 total absentee votes for all five Wards in 2009. The only candidate with an absentee number even close to Lizanne was Matthew McKnight (Ward 3), who recorded 20 absentee votes from his total of 193. Councilmember Paula Perry (Ward 4), who is running in May’s elections, said she has …

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Hyattsville Councilman Supports Non-Citizens Voting Rights For City

Takoma Park extended voting rights to non-citizens almost two decades ago. Should Hyattsville follow suit?

An official with a heavy influence in Hyattsville’s Latino community is a strong proponent for non-citizens’ voting rights in local elections. “We pay taxes in this society, and we are with the same civil rights,” said Councilman Carlos Lizanne (Ward 4). “We believe that the foreign people that pay taxes in a small government like this, and of course they have to be legal residents, legal, they have the right to vote in an election like this.” In Takoma Park, non-citizen residents have been able to vote in mayoral and council elections since 1993, according to city staff. However, non-citizen turnout has been very low with the highest number of voters coming in 1997. Non-citizens made up only 3 percent of total votes cast that year. …

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Coming To America

Hyattsville’s official and immigrant advocacy group says Hispanic immigrants still face discrimination locally

Luis Hernandez came to America 20 years ago to earn enough money to educate his children. His wife and two children stayed in their home town of Morales Izabal in Guatemala to wait for the financial help Hernandez said he promised to secure.  "I had to educate them," he said. "At home, there is no money. For one day, people earn $25." Hernandez, 49, first arrived to Los Angeles in 1990 where he spent seven years as a tailor. And when he realized that a wage of $5.50 per hour was not enough to support the needs of his family overseas, he decided to move east, ending up and staying in Hyattsville – for the last 13 years.    His reasons: "No discrimination in Hyattsville," Hernandez, who is a gardener for the Southern Management Corporation, …

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