Research indicates that LGBTQ identification is higher among Latinos than white or Black American adults, and Hispanics are as accepting – if not more so — of the LGBTQ community as the population at large.

A record 7% of American adults identify as LGBTQ, with 11% of Latino adults saying they were members of the LGBTQ community in a Gallup poll released in March 2022. That compares with 6.2% of non-Hispanic white adults and 6.6% of Black American adults who said the same.

In a study from the National Council of La Raza and Social Science Research Solutions, researchers set out to learn if U.S. Latinos’ attitudes toward LGBTQ people differ from the general population.

Open, tolerant

A report called LGBT Acceptance and Support: The Hispanic Perspective, says, “Contrary to ‘popular’ belief, Hispanics are as open and tolerant, if not more tolerant, than the general population.”

The report found that Latinos of various faiths were less likely to support relationship recognition and more likely to believe that being LGBT is a sin.

In the Gallup poll, researchers said the difference is largely because the Latino demographic is young, and youth is closely tied to LGBTQ identity. Nearly 21% of poll respondents who are Gen Z adults (born between 1997 and 2012) identify as LGBTQ while slightly more than 10% of millennials do.

‘Right direction’

“I would say that the needle’s pointing in the right direction,” says Gabriella Rodriguez, executive director of QLatinx, a Florida organization that advocates for the Latino LGBTQ.

Rodriguez tells Axios Latino that while identifying as LGBTQ in Latino communities is sometimes stigmatized, “There’s a lot of resources and more access to information.” Latinos, however, are hampered by reduced access and visibility to legislation that affects them, she adds.

Several Republican-led states, including Florida and Texas, have enacted or introduced anti-LGBTQ measures.

Higher risks

Stigma, discrimination, victimization and anti-LGBTQ policies have contributed to higher risks of suicide among LGBTQ young people, according to the Trevor Project, a nonprofit organization focused on preventing suicide in LGBTQ youths.

Latino LGBTQ youth are much more likely to report a suicide attempt. Trevor Project’s latest national survey found that 43% of LGBTQ Latino youths seriously considered attempting suicide in the past year, and 18% attempted suicide. That compares with 39% of non-Hispanic white youths who seriously considered suicide and 12% who attempted.

If you or someone you know is in crisis and needs immediate help, if you are thinking of harming yourself or attempting suicide, tell someone who can help right away.

  • Call 911 for emergency services.
  • Go to the nearest hospital emergency room.
  • Call or text 988 to connect with the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. The lifeline provides 24-hour, confidential support to anyone in suicidal crisis or emotional distress. Support is also available via live chat. Para ayuda en español, llame al 988.