The Truth About Being A Gay Latino

Latino LGBT Population in U.S. hits 1.4 Million

According to a report from UCLA Williams Institute, there are 1.4 million Latinos in the U.S. who identify as LGBT.

The survey points out that 30% of gay couples who live together, live in populations with high volumes of Latinos. Also, LGBT Latinos have a higher rate of unemployment, however they have college degrees and earn a higher median income than their straight counterparts.

It's an interesting read. Please check it out here

Latino groups launch a LGBT Public Service Campaign

Many Latino advocacy organizations have joined together in support of a new public service campaign for the LGBT community.

It's called Familia es Familia and it's set to help families accept their LGBT Latino children.

According to NBC Latino, National Council of La Raza, the Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund, the Cuban American National Council, the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute, the National Hispanic Medical Association, the Dolores Huerta Foundation and the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, are supporting this campaign.

Here's more info:

Though there is a perception that Latino families are “conservative” and reluctant to accept or talk about a gay family member, Duran says the numbers show this is not the case. Sixty eight percent of Latino Catholics believe that being gay is morally acceptable, and 62 percent of Latino Catholics support allowing same-sex couples to marry. Moreover, 73 percent of Latinos agree that a person can express support for gay rights and still be a good Christian.

Duran says the information will help avoid situations like those experienced by Latino actor Wilson Cruz, who has talked publicly about being initially rejected by his family when he first came out as gay. Cruz has been honored by organizations for his advocacy and work with gay youth.

In the Familia es Familia brochure, a Latino parent talks of having kicked the son out of the house when he first said he was gay. “It was eleven years before I understood what a mistake I’d made,” said the Hispanic parent. After more than a decade, the parent apologized, “and now, after all this time, our family is whole again. I never want my son to experience that kind of rejection again.”

I think this is a great initiative, I wish them all the luck. 

source

CNN celebrates the Gay Latino Community

CNN presents a great article about Gay Latino America. The community is on the rise and it's high time they get exposure.

While I applauded the article, I wasn't a fan of them highlighting Perez Hilton. Out of many activists and fighters, they chose to talk about Perez. He's Latino, but he's also a mess. It's like highlighting J.L. King for the Black LGBT community.

Anyway, they showcase stronger LGBT folks like, Lourdes Torres, Emanuel Xavier and gay Latino activist and blogger, Andres Duque, whose blog is called "Blabbeando."

Please check out the article, it's a great start in celebrating an important group in our community.