2008REVIEW
Unity Coalition has once again had a full and successful year, thanks to the support, motivation and involvement of our community. Here are some ofthis years highlights…
TOY DRIVE: for Children Living with HIV/AIDS
Now in its fifth year, the Unity Coalition Toy Drive successfully collected and distributed nearly 1,000 new, unwrapped toys to needy children & those living with HIV/AIDS in South Florida, in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic and Honduras. Distribution of these toys within the community is overseen by Unity Coalition and the Miami-Dade Health Dept’s Hispanic Initiative for this important community effort. Special thanks to Azucar Nightclub & our many volunteers.
Unity Coalition/Coalicion Unida THANKS YOU and the thousands that spoke out
against hatred & discrimination by Ft.Lauderdale’s Mayor Naugle
March 4, 2008 - After a huge public outcry, locally & around the country, the City of Fort Lauderdale has removed the “Focus on Fort Lauderdale” newsletter with Mayor Jim Naugle’s bigoted message against the LGBT community from the city’s website. The city also decided that the mayor's column in Fort Lauderdale's bi-monthly publication will be permanently removed, giving Naugle one less platform from which to spew hate. A special thanks to Commissioners Hutchinson and Moore for standing up for the respect and equality of all residents.
A United and Fair LGBT Community is Powerful, Effective and CAN make a difference!
We wish to thank Fight OUT Loud, Equality Florida, SAVE, League Against AIDS and the thousands of individuals who wrote or called the commission to express their outrage over this and stood up against the spread of anti-gay rhetoric at the expense of Fort Lauderdale tax-payers. Within 1 day, the offensive language was removed from the city website and Naugle’s message was removed from future publications.
UC Florida PAC Reception for RAUL MARTINEZ for CONGRESS
March 12, 2008 - Brenesky/Aguilar Home
465 NE 50th Terrace, Morningside, Miami, Florida
June 25th - Organization of First ever, Gay Pride March in Cuba & MiamiInfoCenter and Press Conference at Club Azucar.
Cuban officials did not allow march to proceed as planned, and beat & arrested all LGBT leaders in Havana.
Maria Elvira LIVE - Mega TV
Featuring Unity Coalition & Cuban Gay March. Ron Brenesky, Arturo Alvarez & Efren Martinez-Pulgaron were invited panelists.
UC Florida PAC Reception for JOE GARCIA for CONGRESS
August 1, 2008 - Brenesky/Aguilar Home
465 NE 50th Terrace, Morningside, Miami, Florida
Lucia Mendez Meeting with LGBT Community to solidify her support of the LGBT Community
September 2, 2008
November 15th Day of Protest Rally -Unity Coalition|Coalicion Unida& Club Azucar organized a rally - one of hundreds across the county - to protest thelack of LGBT rights across the U.S.A.
Unity Coalition|Coalicion Unida launches first ever – Latino|Hispanic LGBTCommunityResourceCenter Hotline UC’s National LGBT Community Resource Center|1-800-950-5316
Unity Coalition|Coalicion Unida partner with PFLAG for National Presence in LGBT Communities
A series of new programming is being introduced by Unity Coalition|Coalición Unida to address these needs, including a National LGBT Community Resources Center Hotline focusing but not limited to the Latino|Hispanic community –the first ever of its kind- are being implemented in unison with Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) and a network of other organizations from coast to coast that will solidify the resources available but often overlooked or not known to smaller communities. This, along with the ongoing efforts of UC’s Annual Holiday Toy Drive - which provides toys and other items to needy children and those living with HIV/AIDS across Florida & the Caribbean-, Political & Social Empowerment Training Programs and many other related projects, will drive the direction & focus of UC for the immediate future.
TOY DRIVE: for Children Living with HIV/AIDS
Unity Coalition|Coalicion Unida Toy Drive successfully collected and distributed over 2,500 new, unwrapped toys to needy children & those living with HIV/AIDS in South Florida& the Caribbean. Distribution of these toys within the community is overseen by Unity Coalition. Special thanks to Azucar Nightclub & our many volunteers.
All of this work is only possible with your support, encouragement and participation.
Thank You, and join us for 2009!
Herb Sosa
Unity Coalition|Coalición Unida
UNITY COALITION|COALICION UNIDA is the leading Latino|Hispanic gay civil-rights nonprofitinitiative, offering leadership on issues that concern Latino|Hispanic LGBT(lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender) and other minority groups across the U.S.
UNITY COALITION|COALICION UNIDA esuna niciativa sin fines de lucros y lider endefender los derechos civiles de la comunidad Latina|hispana LGBT(lesbianas, gay, bisexual, transgenero), ofreciendo liderazgo en asuntos
concernientes a este y otros grupos minoritario através de los Estados Unidos.
2008 Board of Directors
Ron Brenesky – ChairmanHerb Sosa - President
Rachel Alfonso, Dahlia Canes, Dr. Laura Leyva, Christian Aguilar, Dr. Arturo Alvarez, Efren Martinez-Pulgarón