At the July board meeting, the Latino GLBT History Project voted to create a new position on the board of directors, vice president. The board also elected fellow board member Esther Hidalgo to become the inaugural officer that will be second in command of the 12-year-old organization.

"Our president, David Perez works very hard for this organization. When the conversation of a vice president position came up, I saw this as an opportunity support him and the organization by applying some of my professional experience and growing knowledge of archives and information management to our shared cause," said Hidalgo, who has been with the organization for over a year. As LHP vice president, Hidalgo will preside at all meetings designated by the president and perform all duties as assigned by the president. The new position will be the official steward of LHP's archives collection and ensure the professional development and organization of the collection.

The new position description also stipulates that if the president steps down or is removed from office the vice president will assume the presidency and serve the remainder of the term. Once the vice president assumes the presidency, he or she may appoint a vice president to serve the remainder of his or her term.

Prior to being vice president, Hidalgo served as co-chair of the historical archives committee. She, along with archives committee co-chair Jose Gutierrez, began the enormous task of archiving more than 30 years of historical materials collected by Gutierrez.

Hidalgo was integral in developing a systematic process to organize, label and document the rich collection of memorabilia, documents and objects from local and national LGBTQ Latina/o leaders, social personalities and organizations in the nation's capital since the 1980s. She will continue in that role, while also lending her support to the president.

"As I recently shared with a colleague, I feel very fortunate to work with such a welcoming group," said Hidalgo, a life-long resident of the District of Columbia. "Working closely with the archival collection is especially rewarding; revealing a rich historical narrative that I have never before encountered in books about GLBT History. You can't help but to feel proud!"

Volunteering with the history project is a perfect fit for Hidalgo, who works as an archives technician at the National Archives and Records Administration. She is also earning a degree at the School of Library and Information Science at Catholic University.

"We are very proud of Esther and her accomplishments on the board of directors," said LHP President David M. Pérez. "Her on-going work with the archives committee and past coordination of LHP special events geared to women, such as the Mujeres en el Movimiento, show her dedication to the group and willingness to help diversify and grow the Latino GLBT History Project."

LHP supporters can meet Hidalgo on the third Saturday of each month from 12:00 to 3:00 p.m., at the DC Center for the LGBT Community, located at 1318 U St. N.W., in Washington, D.C., during the monthly LHP Volunteer Day with the historical archives committee.

At the same meeting, LHP elected Jorge Andres Soto as the Secretary. He joins fellow leadership on the board of Tresurer Manny Cosme, Outreach Chair Jose Ramirez, Development Chair Raul Olivo and Oskar Moran and Sergio Lopez--2012 DC Latino Pride Co-Chairs. The LHP advisory committee members include Ernie "Tito" Gutierrez, Joe Henríquez McNearney, Jesus "Jesse" Garcia, Marilyn Ramos, PJ Rivera , Alexa Rodriguez, Jesús Maria Serna, Wilfredo Torres and Johnny Vásquez. LHP is also represented at public events by Antonio "Milko" Santander Espinosa, Mr. Latino GLBT History Project 2012-13; Diego El Sabroso, Mr. Drag King Latino GLBT History Project 2012-13; and Alexa Rodriguez, Miss Latino GLBT History Project 2012-13.

The Latino GLBT History Project (LHP) is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit volunteer-led organization founded in April 2000 to investigate, collect, preserve and educate the public about the history, culture, heritage, arts, social and rich contributions of the Latino GLBT community in metropolitan Washington, D.C. To accomplish our mission, the LHP creates educational exhibits from our historical archives collection showcased at cultural events such as, a Women's History Month Reception, a Hispanic GLBT Heritage Reception and DC Latino Pride, educational presentations at local and national conferences and through our online virtual museum at www.LatinoGLBTHistory.org.

For more information about the Latino GLBT History Project:
- Visit the Official Website
- Follow them on Twitter
- Visit their Facebook Page