Out, Proud, Latine: New Report Finds that Nearly 90% of Latine LGBTQ+ Youth are Proud of Their Identity, but Many Still Struggle With Challenges Surrounding Being Queer or Trans

WASHINGTON - Today, the Human Rights Campaign Foundation (HRC), the educational arm of the nation's largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) civil rights organization, released a report in partnership with the University of Connecticut that discusses the well-being, experiences, and hopes of LGBTQ+ Latine youth. The data is derived from approximately 2,200 Latine LGBTQ+ youth (ages 13-18) from across the country and presents extensive information that can be used by caregivers, educators, and other youth-serving professionals to better understand and support the Latine LGBTQ+ youth in their lives.

"Despite the rejection, stigma and bias many Latine LGBTQ+ youth face within both the queer and Latine communities, the majority still take immense pride in their queer identity. This shared sense of pride shows that even though the plight of Latine LGBTQ+ youth can be difficult to navigate, this resilient community continues to exemplify the courage it takes to be your most authentic self despite the harmful injustice they endure," said Charleigh Flohr, Associate Director of Public Education & Research at the Human Rights Campaign Foundation. "Our goal with this report is to use the collected data to provide insight into the challenges facing Latine LGBTQ+ youth while also focusing on their triumphs. It also outlines some of the steps we can take to ensure this part of our community continues to thrive."

Unfortunately, much of this data paints a somber picture of the challenges faced by queer Latine youth in both the Latine and LGBTQ+ communities. Many Latine LGBTQ+ youth report experiencing rejection, stigma and bias surrounding their sexuality or gender identity, anti-Latine biases, rejection from family, and feeling dismissed by those within their own religion. Despite these difficulties, the vast majority of Latine LGBTQ+ youth say they are proud to be a part of the LGBTQ+ community, with the majority having shared their sexual and gender identity with their families.

"As a gay Latino man, I understand the importance of feeling embraced by one's own community, but sadly, many Latine LGBTQ+ individuals don't always receive the support needed to thrive and excel," said Orlando Gonzales, Senior Vice President of Programs, Research, and Training at the Human Rights Campaign Foundation. "Acknowledging that lack of support, we used this report as an opportunity to collaborate with our HRSi affinity group to provide actionable steps and video resources for families and youth-serving professionals caring for Latine LGBTQ+ youth."

Key findings from the 2024 Latine LGBTQ+ Youth Report include:

Racism, Homophobia and Transphobia

• 70.5% of Latine LGBTQ+ youth and 75.4% of Latine transgender and gender-expansive youth experienced racism in the LGBTQ+ community
  
• 78.7% Latine LGBTQ+ and 83.4% Latine transgender and gender-expansive experienced homophobia or transphobia in the Latine community

Religion, Faith and Spirituality

• 60.3% of those raised in a religion said that it was unfriendly to LGBTQ+ people
• 52.1% said their religious beliefs triggered feelings of guilt and shame when they came out as an LGBTQ+ person
  
• 20% said their faith community leaders support and include them as an LGBTQ+ person

Mental Health

• 55.4% of Latine LGBTQ+ youth and 61.9% of Latine transgender and gender-expansive screened positive for depression
  
• 60.9% of Latine LGBTQ+ youth and 66.4% Latine transgender and gender-expansive youth screened positive for anxiety
  
• 48.3% of Latine LGBTQ+ youth have unmet mental health care needs, defined as wanting to receive therapy, but being unable to obtain it.

Latine LGBTQ+ Youth Futures

• 89.9% of Latine LGBTQ+ youth say they are proud to be a part of the LGBTQ+ community, but
  
• 24.5% of Latine LGBTQ+ youth still wish they were not an LGBTQ+ person.
  
• 67.6% of Latine LGBTQ+ youth, and 76.4% of Latine transgender and gender-expansive youth, fear they will be discriminated against at work in the future because of their LGBTQ+ identity

To read the full 2024 Latine LGBTQ+ Youth Survey Report, click here and to access the English and Spanish video resources click here.

The Human Rights Campaign Foundation is the educational arm of the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), America's largest civil rights organization working to achieve equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) people. Through its programs, the HRC Foundation seeks to make transformational change in the everyday lives of LGBTQ+ people, shedding light on inequity and deepening the public's understanding of LGBTQ+ issues, with a clear focus on advancing transgender and racial justice. Its work has transformed the landscape for more than 15 million workers, 11 million students, 1 million clients in the adoption and foster care system and so much more. The HRC Foundation provides direct consultation and technical assistance to institutions and communities, driving the advancement of inclusive policies and practices; it builds the capacity of future leaders and allies through fellowship and training programs; and, with the firm belief that we are stronger working together, it forges partnerships with advocates in the U.S. and around the globe to increase our impact and shape the future of our work.

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