| Colorado Latinas on Capitol Hill |
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A strong Latina presence was felt on Capitol Hill in
Washington, D.C. on May 22, 2006 as activists with the
National Latina Institute for Reproductive Health (NLIRH)
visited with their elected officials. Four Colorado Latinas
met with staff in the offices of Representatives DeGette and
Udall and Senators Allard and Senator Salazar, himself. The
activists spoke out about the Responsible Education About
Life (REAL) Act and immigration reform.
The REAL Act would create a funding source to support
comprehensive sexuality education for young people. At
present, the federal government provides funding only for
abstinence-only until marriage education programs. “We call
on Colorado’s congressional delegation to co-sponsor and
support the REAL Act,” said Jacinta ‘Jacy’ Montoya of the
Colorado Organization for Latina Opportunity and
Reproductive Rights (COLOR.) “As the Latino community in
Colorado continues to experience birth rates that are two to
four times higher than the white community or the African-
American community, it is clear that abstinence-only until
marriage programs are not working for Latino youth.”
“For Latinos the intersection of health and immigration
reform is more evident when we recognize the health
disparities in our community,” said Juana Rosa Cavero, board
co-chair of COLOR, “Comprehensive immigration reform will
not only impact legalization status but also access to
timely and competent health care services”. With an
immigrant population of 17.4% in Denver County alone,
ensuring healthy families will result in healthier Colorado
communities (U.S. Census, 2000). Amidst the current
national immigration proposals, Latinas must remind their
representatives that a solution focused reform bill must be
the ultimate goal.
Also representing Colorado in Washington, D.C. with NLIRH
were Adrienna Corrales of Sisters of Colorado United for
Education and Melinda Gonzales of Boulder Valley Women’s
Health. Along with their strong knowledge and passion,
Adrienna and Melinda contributed persuasive, real life
examples of the links for Latinas between reproductive
health and rights and immigration status. Overall, the
women who took part in the historic visits provided a
valuable perspective for Colorado’s decision makers about
the effects of policy on the lives of Latinas.
COLOR’s activities seek to organize a sisterhood of Latinas
with the knowledge, freedom, and power to access a full
range of opportunities for the health of their bodies,
minds, and spirits. To contact COLOR call 303-393-0382 or
email info@colorlatina.org.
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