Study challenges anti-gay perception about Latinos

[EmeraldCityGrl]

Source: The Seattle Times

A new national study challenges the widely held perception Latinos are persistently anti-gay.

Released Thursday by the research group Social Science Research Solutions (SSRS) and the Hispanic advocacy organization National Council of La Raza, it found Latino support for many pro-gay policies at least on par with that of the population as a whole.

Latinos in the SSRS study, for example, support same-sex marriage at a rate of 54 percent, compared with 53 percent of those in the general population who indicated such support in a Gallup poll last year.

And by even wider margins, respondents in the SSRS study favor policies aimed at protecting gays against hate crimes and discrimination related to jobs, housing and military service.

Read more: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2017973708_latinosgay14m.html

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This study comes at an important time in WA. State. A petition circulating to change our state's same sex
marriage law has been targeting Catholic churches. 57% of Catholic Latinos support same sex marriage
according to the SSRS Survey.

[TheCruces]

1. I live in a predominately Mexican area and it's quite gay friendly.

I'm not surprised.

[EFerrari]

2. Imho, the influence of Native American culture on Latinos

(yeah, this is a huge generalization) predisposes us to "live and let live" even 'way before education about GLBTQ culture is available. So this whole idea that Latinos are anti-gay has always seemed inflated to me. Yes, the Catholic Church has had a negative influence but even so, that's only one influence among many.

[expatriate2mex]

3. Here in Mexico most places are VERY strongly anti gay and abortion.

Exceptions are DF, resort areas, etc. The *high immigrant* areas in the us, I grew up in and lived in several (born in mexico, dual citizen) Are also strongly this way. Most "latino's" (not mexican's as mexican is a nationality) are a lot less so.

I question this study, especially following the vote in ca against gay marriage. Then again poll's and studies only catch the latino's anyway, not the 1st generation immigrants.

I know this may throw some in convulsions, but there is far more discrimination on skin color here in mexico also. It's very open. Kids in school with darker skins get treated different, jobs, etc. The kids make presentaions on the differences on race here. People here (in mexico state anyway) will not hire women over 35, it's legal and signs in windows say 35 and under.

Don't shoot the messenger, just the way it is. In most parts of mexico (not gringo areas) the chilango's (people from mexico city) are hated for their liberal attitudes. There is a saying "mata un chilango y haz patria". Thar means kill a person from mexico and become a patriot.

Even in the south there it's not as as conservative as it is most places here. We just had a 2 week national holiday for "semana Santa".

I kind of got off track, but I am very passionate about these things. I wish there was a magic wand to change things.

[Merlot]

4. Could it be this study is of people in the US as opposed to people in Mexico?

I wouldn't doubt that Mexico is much more conservative than the US. But the people that cme from Mexico to live in the US are maybe more open minded and educated?

[EmeraldCityGrl]

5. I believe this is a distinction that makes the difference.

As Latinos become more "Americanized" they also develop more of
a "live and let live" attitude.

I thought this comment also made a good point...

"A lot of people are citing Prop. 8 as conflicting evidence, but it's odd that you have to go back that far (2008). Marriage equality polled at 48% at that time (whereas eight years before, it polled at 39%) and every poll taken since then has shown a growing support.

Some national polls even show a majority support

As to the subject here, I have no reason to doubt what independent says: Latino voting habits, by and large, are not homogenous."

[expatriate2mex]

7. You made several great statements.

"As Latinos become more "Americanized" they also develop more of
a "live and let live" attitude. "

Exactly, usually it's their children going to school there though.

"As to the subject here, I have no reason to doubt what independent says: Latino voting habits, by and large, are not homogenous."

Exactly right. Just under 1/3 voted for mccain and I figure a good percentage of them ist gen immigrants. In 2004 bush got more than that.

People like to put us all in one mold, it's actually far from the truth.

[expatriate2mex]

6. I'm sure the poll is in the us, but

most people going there are poorer and uneducated. A small percentage here finish "high school" and that's people having a harder time making it here. The fact 48% of the people rural make 1300 pesos a month and 2300 for rural dwellers. That's 12-13 pesos to the dollar. Some things are cheaper here and some higher. If you make somewhere over 6,000 pesos a month you are in the upper 10%. Technology, for example is higher. The stores from the us have the same prices here as there, many mexican stores are priced the same though. These folks are by far those going to the us. Very conservative and religious.

Take toluca for example. We live in a small pueblo here, all of the pueblos are very poor. Toluca most are also. Metepec is the well to do area. Like new streets, stores, cars and light skin. It seriously looks like a different country. These are the liberal type areas.

It's latino's, as I said, and the other person mentioned. Latinos become more liberal. I don't think the 1st generation mexican's are being polled.

Take NW arkansas for example, the last place we lived in the US (also san diego, seattle, florida, etc.). Most 1st generation immigrants were filling the churches at spanish mass. Latinos are far less enthusiastic.

I absolutely many people would be greatly surprised if 1st generation "illegals" would be allowed to vote all of a sudden. There ARE a considerable percentage of conservatives and that's where 1st generation immigrants come in.

In san diego my ex wife, who's huge family moved there from here pretty much one at a time, has a sister who's husband owned a small car repair shop in barrio logan. They have 2 gay brothers and one was between jobs and went to work in the office a few days to help out. The mechanics all refused to go to work until he left, which he did. All involved were 1st generation from mexico. The mechanics undocumented.

So unfortunately that's how it is. It usually takes a generation or so to change.

I went to school there and served in the military (just for knowledge). I fully support gay rights lest anyone think I do not.

[EmeraldCityGrl]

8. One thing your post made me think about...

This is a bit off topic but, If I were to lump Latinos into
one group it would be to say they are family oriented.

My Latino, gay nephew came out after he left high school
in Iowa and moved to CA. My AA niece still lives in Iowa
and just came out. I also have a SIL in WI. that is a Lesbian
and family reunions are always at her place. The older
relatives have become much more accepting over the
years as their children, nieces and nephews have come out.

Living in the US a young adult Latino is more likely to live
an authentic life and family adjusts and accepts over time
changing their perspective.

It's a process and your story about the car repair shop made
me think about my own family. Thanx for posting.

[expatriate2mex]

9. No problem and yes, more family oriented.

Many people there wonder why so many from here live together in one apartment or house. Here with the wages so low the families are so close out of necessity, many live in the same house their parents did or build another cement house on the same property. Houses are being expanded slowly all of the time. Most people cannot afford rent. Not to mention virtually no safety nets for elderly or disabled. Survival is sticking together, family oriented is the way to make it.

"Living in the US a young adult Latino is more likely to live
an authentic life and family adjusts and accepts over time
changing their perspective."

Exactly right. Not the least of which is the church is far more controlling here.

Some may say why do you stay there if you think as so. Problems have to be recognized before they are fixed and running away never fixed anything. Will I change anything? Doubtful, but if only a few pick up tolerance from me I have done something.