WASHINGTON, D.C.: The board of the National Association of Hispanic Journalists passed a resolution during the association’s fall board meeting Sept. 29 - Oct. 1 in Phoenix, Ariz., calling for news organizations to provide domestic partner benefits to their employees.

The resolution states:

"WHEREAS, Benefits account for 39% of payroll on average, according to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and in keeping with the principles of equal pay for equal work in the news industry,

WE RESOLVE THAT the National Association of Hispanic Journalists strongly supports the extension of health and other benefits to the domestic partners of employees."

The NAHJ board voted unanimously to approve the principle of equal pay for equal work in support of its gay and lesbian members and colleagues working in the media industry.

"We passed this resolution because we take diversity in the workplace and the issue of equal pay for equal work very seriously," said NAHJ President Cecilia Alvear. "We believe that employers should demonstrate their commitment to this principle."

The mission of NAHJ, founded in 1984, is to increase the number of Latino journalists entering the media profession as well as improve news coverage of the nation’s Latino community.