LGBTQ equality intersects with other struggles like class, race and gender. Our movement also interconnects with an issue that has been in the media a lot lately: immigration. CAUSA is one such group that is working to ensure equality and respect for all Oregonians. CAUSA organizes, educates, and mobilizes to build power in the immigrant community. They also network with immigrant, religious, labor, youth, and ally organizations to create a society that recognizes the contributions of immigrants and upholds the values of equality and respect. CAUSA has long history with two of Pride Foundation’s grantee recipients, Basic Rights Oregon Education Fund and Western States Center. These organizations have worked together to ensure that all Oregonians across, race, sexual orientation, gender and immigration status live in a state that reflects the values of equality and respect.
Recently CAUSA has worked with Basic Rights Oregon’s Education Fund on a series of Hispanic radio ads to reach thousands of voters, sharing stories from gay and lesbian couples across the state of love and commitment and why they should have the freedom to marry.
Folks who are LGBTQ and undocumented face unique challenges ranging from workers rights to being shut out of marrying the person they love because they have no way of filling an immigration petition. CAUSA has done great work in advancing the lives of those affected by the documentation process and continues to show that immigrant rights are LGBTQ rights and LGBTQ rights are immigrant rights.
“We are thrilled to integrate the LGBTQ community into our general work, recognizing that they are a significant part of our latino immigrant community as a whole,” says CAUSA’s LGBTQ Alliance Building Organizer Christian Baeff.
In celebration of all their fantastic work CAUSA is throwing a Coming Out Party on December 8, 2011.
Christain says the party will be “a great opportunity to celebrate our work with our supporters, other organizations and allies.”