The Williams Institute

Many of the issues that Latino Lesbian Gay Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) individuals face are insufficiently understood. This testimony explains that existing demographic data about Latino LGB individuals show that these individuals, who constitute the greatest number of same-sex partners of color in the United States, differ significantly from their non-Latino LGB counterparts, as well as from straight Latino individuals in numerous ways. Furthermore, there are important differences within LGB Latino/Latina groups, especially between men and women. Finally, while there are no population based data sources regarding Latino transgender individuals, limited existing data show that these individuals experience discrimination often at multiples time that of non-Latino transgender individuals. These is a vital need for further data collection to assess discrimination within, and the legal needs of, the Latino LGBT community.