ABOUT GLAAD

Founded in 1985, GLAAD is the world’s largest LGBTQ+ media advocacy organization. The non-profit operates at the forefront of cultural change by ensuring fair, accurate, and inclusive representation in media that leads to 100% acceptance of LGBTQ people. With an initial donation of $135,000, Hornitos® is all in on GLAAD’s mission of giving the doers, creators, and innovators an opportunity to take on the issues and create meaningful change in the world.

HORNITOS & GLAAD IN ACTION

Hornitos is eager to become the leading tequila brand that supports the LGBTQ+ community 365 days a year.

Through partnership, we’re committing to the advancement of the queer community with impactful year-round programming and providing grants to LGBTQ+ activists to advance their work. We champion ALL trailblazer and believe our efforts are the perfect companion to the life changing progress GLAAD makes every day.

OUR LGBTQ+ ADVOCATES

Hornitos is providing both MOBI (Mobilizing our Brothers Initiative) and TransLatin@ Coalition each with a $10K grant to support these inspiring individuals who are championing efforts of progress within the LGBTQ+ community.

DASHAWN USHER (He, Him, His)

FOUNDER AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR - MOBI

DaShawn Usher is a native New Yorker and an award-winning advocate, published researcher, and celebrated leader within the LGBT community and HIV prevention field. He has cultivated more than 15 years of extensive experience in research, program development and design, health communications, and campaigns.

DaShawn was featured in OUT magazine’s OUT100 list for his efforts. He has worked with communities, locally, nationally, and internationally. DaShawn is the Founder and Executive Director of Mobilizing Our Brothers Initiative (MOBI), a series of curated social connectivity events for Black gay and queer people of color to see their holistic self while promoting community, wellness, and personal development. DaShawn currently serves as the Director, Communities of Color and Media at GLAAD, the world’s largest LGBT media advocacy organization.

JULIAN J. WALKER (He, Him, His)

DEPUTY DIRECTOR / AMBASSADOR - MOBI

Julian J. Walker is an esteemed silver screen actor featured in “Blackbird”, Bounce TV’s “Saints & Sinners” and BET’s hit series “Being Mary Jane”. This Jackson, MS native has trailblazed in the literary sectors with his artistic work, “A Year Without You” featured on NBC News Best Black Queer Books list in 2020.

For the past six years, Julian has partnered with leaders and organizations across the globe in hopes of creating safe spaces for LGBTQ+ POC. He’s currently the Deputy Director for Mobilizing Our Brothers Initiative (MOBI) and Communities of Color Ambassador for GLAAD, the world’s largest LGBTQ+ organization.

MARIA LOUISE ROMAN-TAYLORSON (She, Her, Ella)

VICE PRESIDENT & CHIEF OPERATIONS OFFICER – TransLatin@ Coalition

Maria Louise Roman-Taylorson has been a leader in social services for the transgender community in Los Angeles for 20+ years. Currently, Maria is Vice President & Chief Operations Officer of the TransLatin@ Coalition, the largest Trans-lead organization in Los Angeles. As a 51-year-old Puerto Rican Latina woman who began her journey to self-discovery at age 19, Maria has become an outspoken voice, activist, and a role model to the Transgender community.

Over the years Maria has worked with countless organizations and groups, including Liberty Hill Foundation (as a board member), the Los Angeles and West Hollywood Task Force + Police Dept. Sensitivity Training Program, and the West Hollywood Transgender Advisory Committee. In the late 90s, Maria Roman was the first transgender person to become Program Manager for the Transgéneros Unidas prevention program at Bienestar Human Services, one of the largest HIV prevention programs in the nation with an all-transgender staff. Among her many advocacy roles, Maria was a keynote speaker for the Los Angeles PPC, a Presenter at the U.S. Conference on AIDS, and a presenter at Creating Change 2015-16. Maria continues to have her feet on the ground, taking any opportunity to influence change with her presence advocating for the women who continue to walk the streets with broken spirits.