Familia....at the root of being Latino.

Family unity is often seen as a key characteristic of Latino families, as with many other cultures. I have been struggling with the challenge many individuals undergo when they are troubled with coming out to their families as Latinos. Generally being brought up in an environment that values parents (especially mothers), cousins, siblings, gatherings every weekend with abundance of food and good energy. An environment that instills camaraderie, togetherness and unity. Where you are likely to meet a cousin from your mom's third cousin from the motherland that you end up keeping in touch with and when you see them (every 5-7 years) after having met once, it's like it was yesterday. An environment where it is common to have 30 aunts and uncles, 40 first cousins and many many others that you call "cousins". This is what I have known for the last 29 years of my life.

It is this same close-knit environment that often turns down accepting difference of preference in sexuality. Well understood that it is often times due to the overwhelming message that is delivered by the catholic church. But when it comes down to it, its family. Day in and day out, these individuals that lie in the shadows of shame (and the closet) and are not able to be "real" with those they have known to love and care for. These are the same people that you were brought up with. Same people that have succeeded to be whatever they are. Same people with the same values and morals. And if they are anything like me, they are sometimes scared to be real even with those they love most.

I am excited to see that in recent days, policy has shifted to be more accepting of the diversity that the United States is meant to be based on. In the same way that immigrants were seen as outsiders and in many instances treated as second class citizens throughout our nations history, LGBT individuals are enduring similar scrutiny. I commend the twenty-two organisations that declared their support for the "Familia es Familia" campaign that was launched this past weekend at the National Council of La Raza's Annual Convention in Las Vegas, in hopes of educating Hispanics about LGBT issues and bring more awareness and tolerance of LGBT Americans. (Article is linked below)

Cheers to progress. Cierra los ojos y abre tu corazon.


Twenty-Two Hispanic Rights Groups Back LGBT Acceptance Campaign