The Role of the Latinx Community in LGBTQ+ Inclusion
As we celebrate Pride Month, it’s important to acknowledge the progress that our comunidad has made towards LGBTQ equality. In recent years, the US Latinx community has seen a shift in attitude to support inclusion, advocacy, and dignity. The overarching values that were once at odds with the LGBTQ movement are the ones that now help Latinos connect beyond sexual orientation.
With as many types of Latinos as there are forms of gender expression, our culture continues to evolve and so do our views. While there is still work to be done, it’s exciting to see the Latinx landscape embrace the queer community. Let’s take a closer look at how our people are coming together to honor our diverse heritage and empower us to create an inclusive society.
We Are Here & We Are Proud
In a recent poll of over 1,000 Latinos across the country, Axios and Noticias Telemundo found that “the percentage of Latinos who identify as LGBTQ has more than doubled in the past decade.” This significant growth in Latinx LGBTQ demographics reflects a trend of increasing acceptance. As the Latino culture becomes more open-minded, younger generations feel free to be themselves.
The survey also indicates that 62% of respondents are comfortable around people who identify as LGBTQ. Additionally, the article notes that younger Latinos are more likely to support LGBTQ rights than older generations, with 76% of millennials in favor of same-sex marriage. This shift in attitude could be due to second- and third-generation Latinos growing up with LGBTQ representation in media and entertainment. Additionally, increased visibility and advocacy efforts have helped to raise awareness and promote understanding across the entire community.
Using data from a 2021 Gallop poll, Axios conducted a study revealing that LGBTQ-identification is at 11% among Latinx adults. This percentage is higher than other groups, with 6.2% of non-Hispanic white adults and 6.6% of African American adults identifying as LGBTQ.
According to a report from the UCLA School of Law Williams Institute, 2.3 million US adults identify as Latinx and LGBTQ. Key statistics to keep in mind about the Latinx LGBTQ population include:
- 65% are under age 35
- 44% are raising children
- 22% have a college education
- 43% feel connected to the Latinx community
We Stand By Our Community
How does the rising Latinx LGBTQ population and the movement toward an increasingly progressive culture reflect in the community’s political stance? With the recent increase of anti-LGBTQ legislation in Florida and Texas, it’s important to determine how Latinos feel about the issues that affect our LGBTQ community members to understand the ideologies that we stand by.
The Axios survey found that:
- LGBTQ acceptance increases as Latinos spend more time in the country
- 43% of respondents said they don’t think a parent helping a child with gender-affirming treatments should be considered child abuse
- Two-thirds of polled Latinos said they support students being taught about sexuality and gender identity
- 48% agree that teenagers should be able to determine their gender identity for themselves, compared to 29% who disagree
Together, We Endure a Double Struggle
As the Latinx LGBTQ population grows, so does awareness. It’s crucial to acknowledge the intersectionality within the Latinx LGBTQ community, as individuals who face compounded forms of discrimination based on race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, and identity.
While many Latinos now realize that LGBTQ individuals are an important part of our families and communities, there is still much room for progress.
As systematic discrimination adds up for the Latinx LGBTQ community, this exacerbates the challenges that these individuals encounter in various aspects of their lives. UCLA experts identified economic insecurity as an overarching problem across Latinx LGBTQ, which leads to:
- 37% of Latinx LGBTQ adults survive on an annual household income below $24,000
- 10% unemployment rate among Latinx LGBTQ
- 32% of Latinx LGBTQ experience food insecurity
With 74% of respondents still reporting daily discrimination and stigma, it’s more important than ever to recognize the difficulties of being Latinx and LGBTQ. This dual minority group has an upward battle ahead of them and, as a community, we must come together to fight for equality.
Pride Month offers a reminder that we all have a role to play in creating a more inclusive and accepting society. Whether it’s signing a petition, volunteering with a local LGBTQ organization, or simply having conversations with friends and family, every action counts. By continuing to support the Latinx LGBTQ community, we can create a more just and inclusive society for all. ¡Adelante!