BALTIMORE – Equality Maryland, the state's lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender advocacy organization, announced today that civil rights advocate Christine Chavez, will be the keynote speaker at its Fourth Annual Jazz Brunch scheduled for October 22nd at the Rennaissance Harborplace Hotel in Baltimore.

At the age of four in Detroit, during the grape boycott, Christine Chavez was arrested with her family for refusing to leave the front of a store that continued to sell grapes. In addition to her eight years of civil rights work for immigrants and the labor community in unions and as Political Director for the United Farm Workers, the organization her grandfather Cesar Chavez helped to co-found 40 years ago, Ms. Chavez has also been working vigorously to achieve equal marriage rights for same-sex couples under the law. Her advocacy in California helped sway the votes of several legislators who supported a bill to grant marriage licenses to same-sex couples in that state.

“From [last year’s keynote] NAACP Executive Chairman Julian Bond to Christine Chavez, the Jazz Brunch continues to be an answer to the question LGBT Americans hear all too often as to whether or not our rights are ‘civil rights’,” said Equality Maryland Executive Director Dan Furmansky. “Our LGBT movement in Maryland has and will always view itself as part of a broader movement for social justice, and we will continue to draw inspiration and lessons from those who pioneered social change in the past and welcome the partnership of those doing this important work today.”

Also scheduled to speak at this year's brunch is U.S. Senator Barbara Mikulski. WYPR’s Marc Steiner will act as emcee and Broadway, television and film star Billy Porter will perform.

For more information about this year’s brunch, visit: http://eqfed.org/equalitymaryland/2006jazzbrunch.html

While working with the UFW, Christine’s responsibilities include raising public awareness to protect the civil rights of farm workers and the larger immigrant community. Over the last eight years, she has helped elect candidates, pass legislation and oversee public outreach activities. Latina Magazine recently named her as one of their top Latinas of 2004 for her longtime involvement with civil rights issues – in particular her recent work to give same sex couples to right to marry under the law.

Chavez’s commitment has extended to other unions. She was engaged in SEIU, Local 1877’s battle against LAX. She fought in UNITE HERE Local 11's battle against the hotel industry. And she organized rallies in support of UFCW's protracted Southern California strike.

Every year, Christine oversees the annual Cesar Chavez Walk where over 10,000 people gather to honor the legacy of the great labor leader. She is responsible for mobilizing schools, colleges, unions, churches and community groups.

Recently Christine joined Rev. Al Sharpton to announce the formation of the Latino and African American Leadership Alliance. Troubled by the escalating violence between Latinos and African Americans, Chavez worked with the Reverend to organize a march to correspond with the Watts riots of 40 years ago. The Alliance will also sponsor community forums, outreach to schools and enlist the help of policymakers to further this important cause.

Today, Christine works for the Community College League of California. She will help qualify an initiative for the 2008 ballot that will position community colleges for more state funding.

Christine resides in City Terrace with her husband Oscar Gonzales. Her work is based on the values passed down to her from her grandfather...the fight for civil rights, social justice and labor equality.