In a February 21 interview, entertainer and Mexican cultural icon Paquita la del Barrio said that children adopted by same-sex couples "will end up crazy" and that adoption by same-sex couples is "wrong" and should happen "nowhere in the world." Asked on March 12 whether she would rather see “a child die in the streets from hunger” or be adopted by a same-sex couple, La del Barrio immediately replied that she would “prefer he die."

Although she has since apologized, the fact remains that these statements are extremely cruel and insult the hundreds of thousands of families around the world, including many in the Inland Empire, that are led by loving LGBTQ parents. On May 6, La del Barrio will perform at San Manuel Indian Bingo and Casino in Highland, California.

As a coalition that works to end discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity/expression, the individual activists and more than 20 local nonprofits and faith organizations that comprise Equality Inland Empire (EQIE) call on the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians to publicly denounce La del Barrio's comments.

Add your signature to take a stand against the hate and intolerance La del Barrio's statements promote. Thank you for helping EQIE to ensure the dignity, safety, and equality of all LGBTQ residents of the Inland Empire!