

Family and Coming Out Issues for Latinxs

In the United States, many Latinx families are first- or second-generation immigrants, and keeping family relationships strong can be critical to an individual's identity. The possibility that lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or queer Latinxs might lose that important support system by coming out to their family is daunting.






Additionally, many hesitate to come out because they don't want to discredit their family name. When one family member succeeds, it often reflects positively on the entire family. Many Latinx families also believe the opposite to be true, and because there is bias against gays, that silences some LGBTQ Latinxs, as well as relatives who might otherwise be supportive.


While many non-Latinx LGBTQ people first come out to only one or two family members, the close proximity of many typical Latinx families often makes that option difficult. One thing that can be useful is taking advantage of organizations, such as PFLAG.

"Since Latinx families deal with and solve most of their own problems, there is little incentive or tradition to form or join support groups. But this is an important part of the Anglo culture that we Latinx would benefit by emulating," suggested Marrone. "Parents will find that people who have LGBT children will understand and help them through the hardest times. When parents educate friends and neighbors, they become an advocate for their child's right to equality."


PFLAG has also established a Families of Color Network, which strives to keep families united, addresses issues of institutionalized racism and works to break down barriers of sexual orientation and gender identity within communities of color. Local LGBTQ community centers may also have Latinx-specific support groups, which can be crucial for an independent culture that sometimes shuns outside help.

Read HRC's Guía de Recursos Para Salir Del Clóset.