Estimated 1.4 million LGBT Latinos in the U.S.
LOS ANGELES, Calif. — An estimated 1.4 million or 4.3 percent of Latino/a adults identify as LGBT and 29 percent of Latino/a same-sex couples are raising children, according to a report released in early October by the Williams Institute at the University of California Los Angeles.
The estimated 146,100 Latino/a individuals in same-sex couples tend to live in areas where there are higher proportions of Latinos/as. A third of Latino/a same-sex couples live in New Mexico, California, and Texas.
Nationally, Latino/a individuals in same-sex couples are faring better than Latinos/as in different-sex couples. Twenty-six percent of all Latinos/as in same-sex couples have completed a college degree or more, compared to 14 percent of Latinos/as in different-sex couples.
But the data suggests that there are subgroups within the Latino/a LGBT community that are more socioeconomically vulnerable.
Reported median household incomes for Latino/a same-sex couples raising children are 20% below the incomes of same-sex Latino/a couples without children. Latina/female same-sex couples also make close to $15,000 less than Latino/male same-sex couples and have lower rates of college completion.
Rates of education also vary depending on individual ancestry. Individuals of Spanish or Cuban ancestry report higher levels of educational attainment, while Mexican, Salvadoran and Puerto Rican individuals report lower rates of college completion.
Latino/a individuals in same-sex couples are also more likely to be born in the U.S. than Latino/a individuals in different sex couples (59% versus 37%) and more likely to be a U.S. citizen than their counterparts in different-sex couples (80% versus 62%). However, one in seven Latino/a same-sex couples are binational (include one citizen and one non-citizen).
The top three countries of origin reported for Latino/a individuals in same-sex couples born outside the U.S. are Mexico, Puerto Rico and Cuba.
— Originally published by LGBTQ Nation at lgbtqnation.com. LGBTQ Nation is a qnotes news partner. Reprinted with permission.
Internship apps open
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Gay & Lesbian Victory Institute’s Victory Congressional Internship and Victory Congressional Fellowships have announced they are accepting applications.
Applicants are the new wave of U.S. public leaders. And, as such, their participation in this academic semester initiative allows them to become part of the federal legislative process first hand.
College students arrive at the nation’s Capitol for an intensive leadership program. They are assigned to an LGBT Equality Caucus or LGBT-friendly member of congress. This educational experience opens up participants to the possibility of seeking careers in the policy-making process. Each person becomes involved in a community service project.
In December, students will attend the Victory Institute’s annual international conference for three days of training, skills building, networking and discussion alongside hundreds of openly LGBT leaders in government, politics, advocacy, business and community organizations. Airfare, hotel and conference fee are provided.
The Victory Congressional Internship will prepare young LGBT people to become informed decisionmakers and influential leaders who can change their communities and the world.
Deadlines for 2014 applications are: Oct. 28 for spring, Feb. 10 for summer and May 5 for fall.
Program dates are: Jan. 29-April 19, spring (four students); May 28-July 26, summer (eight students); and Aug. 27-Nov. 22, fall (four students).
Housing is provided in downtown Washington, D.C. A stipend to cover other living expenses is $1,000 for summer and $1,500 for spring/fall. Transportation costs are handled both at the beginning and end of the program. For those who wish, academic credit for summer internships is available depending upon the participant’s college or university.
Application is open to undergraduate students no matter one’s gender, sexual orientation, abilities, race or political affiliation. Each one must meet the requirements criteria: U.S. citizenship or legal permanent residency or work permit (no F-1 foreign student visas); 18-years old before arrival; current enrollment on full-time basis as an undergraduate in a degree program (more available on this through the enrollment process); social sciences major pursuit not necessary; and participate actively in public and/or community service activities.
info/applications: victoryinstitute.org/programs/vci.
— Lainey Millen
QUICK HITS
Russia has halted all adoptions to prospective parents in Sweden under a recently enacted law banning international adoptions to countries where same-sex marriage is legal.
more: bit.ly/196Ai1z
An audience consisting of mostly University of Mississippi students, including an estimated 20 Ole Miss football players, disrupted the University’s theater department production of “The Laramie Project” on Oct. 1, heckling cast members and shouting anti-gay slurs.
more: bit.ly/1b0N3KD
The Southern Poverty Law Center on Oct. 1 filed a federal lawsuit against the town of Shannon, Miss., its mayor and its aldermen for denying a business license to a bar catering to the LGBT community.
more: bit.ly/17aENEF
The Caribou Coffee chain is apologizing after a Chicago-area store erased window art completed by a local high school’s gay-straight alliance.
more: bit.ly/1e2RPci
New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie (R) will appeal a state court ruling ordering the state to begin issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples.
more: bit.ly/GGiSi7