LGBTQI+ Latinx Equity & Access
Alex Cordova, Founder 
Marco Partida, Exec. Dir.
As white, Anglo gay men and lesbians, many of us have settled comfortably into the newfound acceptance that the 21st century has brought to us. But we can’t help wondering how things are for our Hispanic brothers and sisters, especially in the hyper-charged polarization of Trump’s second administration.
The Mary Renault Society is honored to have for our February program the founder and current executive director of LILA Latinx LGBTQI Initiative Inc. If we have less contact with that community than we wish, we hope this presentation can help put us in better touch.
Alex Cordova is the founder. He directed the organization from 2017 to 2025 and built it as a trusted source for health, education, and advocacy for the community.
Marco Partida is the current executive director. His background is in the San Francisco area. He has dedicated his career to supporting people living with HIV/AIDS, particularly those facing housing instability, incarceration, and immigration-related barriers. He is currently pursuing a degree in Criminology at N.C. State University.
Marco Partida says the presentation “will highlight the lived realities and systemic challenges facing LGBTQI+ Latinx communities in North Carolina, including barriers to healthcare, immigration-related stressors, economic insecurity, and social isolation. I will share how LILA responds to these challenges through community-driven, culturally responsive programs grounded in education, health, and advocacy. The presentation will also outline current service gaps and opportunities for funders to support sustainable, community-led solutions that strengthen safety, equity, and well-being across the state.”
Our February meeting will be on February 22, 2026. We will gather at 7 p.m., eat a potluck supper at 7:30, and begin the program at 8 p.m.