Name: Ken
Age: 48
Gender: Male
Ethnicity: Mexican
Sexual Orientation: Gay
Birthplace: Denver, CO

As a Latino/Hispanic, do you have a "coming out" story specific to your culture? Or do you have any stories describing why you feel you cannot "come out" as an LGBT Latino?
I came out to my mom at age 16; I knew since before elementary school that I was somehow "different." My mother's response, at the time, was rather advanced. She simply said, "you're young, and very impressionable...don't limit yourself." If she has ever had any negative feeling about my being gay, I've never known about it. At the time, I was estranged from my father because of his addiction and mental health issues. I'm still somewhat estranged from my father; I have never come out to him.

Who is your favorite Latino/Hispanic icon? Why?
My favorite icon is, in fact, Linda Ronstadt; Celia Cruz was also one of my favorites. She has brought together her roots, a life of fame/celebrity and being gay, from a very conscious mindset, both for herself and the very large community in which she operates.

Are you aware of any LGBT Latino/Hispanic celebrities or public figures, or can you name any that you know to be gay-friendly or pro-gay?
I haven't spent much time contemplating this issue - ever. If people aren't friendly, I simply don't/won't mix with them.

How did you learn about sex and sexual orientation? Was it from family, friends, religion, etc?
I learned about sex from sex ed. classes in elementary school; parents had to give their written permission for a students participation. I learned about sexual orientation in 7th grade in Semantics. The word "homosexuality" was one of my words for a given week, so I did my research and figured out what it meant. (Stonewall had occurred a few years earlier.) I knew right then that I was/am, and always have been gay!! Religion has never played any role for me about sex or sexual orientation - both are biological, not theological.

What are your perceptions of what makes a gay man (top/bottom or other roles?) and a lesbian in Latino/Hispanic culture?
Many say it's the "machismo" in the Latino culture that causes many to be top; and if you don't have the machismo, then bottom. I don't subscribe to any of the machismo argument. I may be a bottom between the sheets, but I'm very "top/alpha" male in most, if not all, other respects - education, money, self-worth, etc.

Could you provide an experience where you were a victim of gay bashing/abuse from fellow Latinos vs. non-Hispanic people, whether you were "out" or not?
Fortunately, I've never had to deal with any gay bashing/abuse. I have only had to deal with bashing/abuse because I'm Latino.

How did you learn about STDs and safe sex? Was it culturally specific through organizations or just through personal experiences?
I learned about STDs through my sex ed. classes in elementary school, and a variety of biology and psychology classes in high school and college. I didn't learn about safe sex until the AIDS epidemic first hit, in the 1980s. STDs and safe sex do not have cultural barriers, neither should we.

If you are out to your family, describe how difficult/easy your "coming out" experience was. Was there any particular family member you felt most comfortable telling? Why? Was there someone you felt least comfortable telling? Why?
I was probably most comfortable telling my sister, that I was gay and what being gay meant for me. I was most uncomfortable telling my uncle - he was a Jesuit; I did so while I was in college via a letter. To my amazement, he wrote back and said, "welcome to the club...." My uncle - the Jesuit - was also gay!!

Now everyone in my family assumes (or knows) I'm gay. If they need to know, I'll tell them; if they don't, I won't. What is key, is that I know and honor my truth - I'm gay!!. I know I have to be me, not "me" others thought/think I should be, or wanted me to be, for their own mindsake.

If you are actively involved in the larger gay community, do you, as a Latino/Hispanic, ever feel either objectified or discriminated against by others because of your race or ethnicity?
My active involvement in the larger gay community is in helping those newly diagnosed as poz - whether gay or straight. Given that no one is exempted from HIV/AIDS, and my focus is truly for anyone affected by HIV/AIDS, I don't pay attention to those who objectify and/or discriminate because of race and/or ethnicity. I know there have been some who have done so; I attribute their thoughts, words and actions to ignorance (knowing better and still thinking, saying or doing) or stupidity (don't have a clue). I may not be able to help others see the light about race/ethnicity - you can/will still live with race/ethnicity issues. I know people can't/won't live without help when it comes to HIV/AIDS.

Gay/Lesbian and Hispanic? We want to know more about the cultural experiences of being gay in the Latino/Hispanic community. If you've got a story, we want you to share it with our readers. Click here to share your story.

Name: Julio
Gay.com Member Name: mexicanguy07
Age: 20
Gender: Male
Ethnicity: Hispanic
Sexual Orientation: Gay
Birthplace: Mexico

As a Latino/Hispanic, do you have a "coming-out" story specific to your culture? Or do you have any stories describing why you feel you cannot "come out" as an LGBT Latino?

I actually already came out. Sometimes I wish I never came out to my parents....


Who is your favorite Latino/Hispanic icon? Why?

My favorite Latino icon is Gloria Trevi, a.k.a. Mexican Madonna. I love her. She is just such a great person and she does so much for gay people. She even made our gay anthem for us Latinos.

 
Are you aware of any LGBT Latino/Hispanic celebrities or public figures, or can you name any that you know to be gay-friendly or pro-gay?

Christian Chavez is a gay Latino icon; he was married to a Canadian guy. He represents the gay community wherever he goes; not too long ago he wore a shirt to an awards ceremony that said “Legalize Gay.”

How did you learn about sex and sexual orientation? Was it from family, friends, religion, etc?

I kind of just learned by myself. In my family sex can't even be mentioned.

 
What are your perceptions of what makes a gay man (top/bottom or other roles) or a lesbian in Latino/Hispanic culture?

I honestly don't know. I just think that everybody should be who they want to be and what they feel happy being.

 

Could you provide an experience where you were a victim of gay bashing/abuse from fellow Latinos vs. non-Hispanic people, whether you were "out" or not?

Once I went to this wedding and me and my friend went to the drug store really quick to buy some gum or something like that. We were leaving the store as some Mexican guys were coming in -- one of them said “Look at this fag trying to act like a man and lying to his chick.” (I guess he thought we were boyfriend/girlfriend.) I'm a very outspoken person and always say what I feel, so I turned around and put him in his place.... asked him if he had a problem and that he didn't give a damn if I was or wasn't gay. I never really had any problems with non-Spanish people.

 
How did you learn about STDs and safe sex? Was it culturally specific through organizations or just through personal experiences?

I learned through school and a counselor that I had through high school. She always made sure I had condoms and she got me into the habit of testing myself every single year for HIV and STDs.


If you are out to your family, describe how difficult/easy your "coming-out" experience was. Was there any particular family member you felt most comfortable telling? Why? Was there someone you felt least comfortable telling? Why?

Well, I actually felt like I should've never came out to my parents — it’s been hell since then. My dad is a macho Mexican man and you guys can just imagine that. When I told my dad I was gay he told me he’d rather kill me than have a son like me. Trust me, it hurt and it still does. Me and him usually don't talk anymore, but the way I look at it now is that if he wants to be part of my life he is more than welcome to -- if he doesn't, he is the one missing it.
 

If you are actively involved in the larger gay community, do you as a Latino/Hispanic ever feel either objectified or discriminated against by others because of your race or ethnicity?

Not at all. I feel that all people in the gay community know what it feels like to be discriminated against and don't do it to other people because of that fact.

Gay/Lesbian and Hispanic? We want to know more about the cultural experiences of being gay in the Latino/Hispanic community. If you've got a story, we want you to share it with our readers. Click here to share your story.

Name: Daniel
Age: 21
Gender: Male Ethnicity: Hispanic (Colombian)
Sexual Orientation: Gay
Birthplace: Texas

As a Latino/Hispanic, do you have a "coming out" story specific to your culture? Or do you have any stories describing why you feel you cannot "come out" as an LGBT Latino?
I don't think my coming out story was in any way different than anyone else because of my background. However I do feel that the reaction I got from my family was something I wasn't expecting. My father is 73 years old and my mother is 58 and they're both old school Colombians. Thankfully, I've only received love and support from my parents and immediate family since I came out to them.

Are you aware of any LGBT Latino/Hispanic celebrities or public figures, or can you name any that you know to be gay-friendly or pro-gay?
There's Juan Gabriel *famous Mexican singer* but I'm not sure if he ever OFFICIALLY came out or because he's very feminine people just came to that conclusion. His nickname is Juanga. I know of an openly gay Puerto Rican activist and a couple of fashion reporters on the Univision. But other than that I don't know of any others.

Who is your favorite Latino/Hispanic icon? Why?
Juanes. Apart from being an awesome musician, he fights for human rights and demonstrates his efforts through personal foundation work and his music.

How did you learn about sex and sexual orientation? Was it from family, friends, religion, etc?
When I was younger, I was naive to sexual orientations and sex. I remember liking a boy in the 3rd grade and felt that it was completely normal. And as far as sex goes, I learned about it from my older brother and his friends. My parents once tried to give me a sex talk, but it was AFTER I had already been sexually active.

What are your perceptions of what makes a gay man (top/bottom or other roles?) and a lesbian in Latino/Hispanic culture?
A gay man is simply a man who wants to be with another man sexually and emotionally. In the Hispanic culture, the stereotype is that if you're a girl and not so feminine you're automatically a lesbian and if you're a man thats not disgustingly macho *like most hispanic men* then you're automatically a "mariposa" or a butterfly. (nice way of saying fag)

Could you provide an experience where you were a victim of gay bashing/abuse from fellow Latinos vs. non-Hispanic people, whether you were "out" or not?
From my mother. Even though the statement she made was indirect and just a thought of hers *before she knew I was gay* she said when we were watching tv one night "I'm glad none of my children came out gay". To me that was worse than being beaten because these were words that were coming out of MY mothers mouth...someone who I adore and trust.

How did you learn about STDs and safe sex? Was it culturally specific through organizations or just through personal experiences?
I learned about STDs and safe sex in school and from my parents. My mom used to tell me "I don't want you to end up like we did, without guidance from our parents and having to find out things the hard way without notice." She, 9 times out of 10, will tell me that I need to always wear protection when having sex and if I tell her about a new guy I'm seeing, the first thing she'll ask is if I'm being safe.

If you are out to your family, describe how difficult/easy your "coming out" experience was. Was there any particular family member you felt most comfortable telling? Why? Was there someone you felt least comfortable telling? Why?
I first came out to my sister and brother because we can relate and get along very well. I was dreading coming out to my parents because I felt that they wouldn't be able to accept me, especially my father *retired military, 73 years old, catholic, COLOMBIAN haha*. At first it hurt him and he wanted me to seek "professional" help. But with time, he began to realize that it wasn't a phase or weird thoughts in my head. He's comfortable to the point of asking me if I'm the top or the bottom lol.

If you are actively involved in the larger gay community, do you, as a Latino/Hispanic, ever feel either objectified or discriminated against by others because of your race or ethnicity?
I don't get that feeling from the gay community. The feeling I do get is not being good enough because I'm not tall or thin lol. I'm not short or fat either but I'm not up to "gay standards". But as far as being objectified for my race/ethnicity, I only feel that when the person is ignorant enough to actually voice it to me. But other than that, being a gay, Colombian, 21 year old college student are just parts of what my dynamic, not entirely who I am as a person.

Gay/Lesbian and Hispanic? We want to know more about the cultural experiences of being gay in the Latino/Hispanic community. If you've got a story, we want you to share it with our readers. Click here to share your story.

Name: Sonia
Gay.com Member Name: Supernova51485
Age: 24
Gender: Female
Ethnicity: Mexican
Sexual Orientation: Lesbian
Birthplace: Palm Springs, CA

As a Latino/Hispanic, do you have a "coming out" story specific to your culture? Or do you have any stories describing why you feel you cannot "come out" as an LGBT Latino?
Growing up in a Mexican devoted Catholic family I was taught that if your gay your going to hell, that was hard to face when I was 13 realizing that I'm gay. When I came out to my parents they didn't talk to me for a couple months and it was hard to live at home knowing how they felt. Slowly they're accepting it but its something we don't talk about.

Who is your favorite Latino/Hispanic icon? Why?
Frida Khalo because she wasn't afraid of being so brutally honest with her work.

Are you aware of any LGBT Latino/Hispanic celebrities or public figures, or can you name any that you know to be gay-friendly or pro-gay?
Not really... I can't name one off the top of my head.

How did you learn about sex and sexual orientation? Was it from family, friends, religion, etc?
Mainly from the media like TV and movies.

What are your perceptions of what makes a gay man (top/bottom or other roles?) and a lesbian in Latino/Hispanic culture?
In the hispanic community its frowned upon to be a bottom only for gay men, its like a sign of being weak. If your a butch lesbian its also frowned upon, they don't fit into what is the stereotype of what a man and a woman is suppose to be like and act like.

Could you provide an experience where you were a victim of gay bashing/abuse from fellow Latinos vs. non-Hispanic people, whether you were "out" or not?
No luckily I haven't had to experience anything like that.

How did you learn about STDs and safe sex? Was it culturally specific through organizations or just through personal experiences?
I learned about STDs and safe sex from school. Not really through personal experiences.

If you are out to your family, describe how difficult/easy your "coming out" experience was.
It was emotionally very difficult and they had already kinda said their opinion on the topic and it wasn't positive. It was something that just wasn't allowed, but times are changing and so are their opinions.

Was there any particular family member you felt most comfortable telling? Why?
My brothers, they're my best friends and we tell each other everything and I know they would support me no matter what.

Was there someone you felt least comfortable telling? Why?
My parents, I care a lot about what they think and I didn't want to upset them.

If you are actively involved in the larger gay community, do you, as a Latino/Hispanic, ever feel either objectified or discriminated against by others because of your race or ethnicity?
I'm not active but wish I was. I'm not aware of any organization.

Gay/Lesbian and Hispanic? We want to know more about the cultural experiences of being gay in the Latino/Hispanic community. If you've got a story, we want you to share it with our readers. Click here to share your story.

Welcome to Hot Commodity, where members get vocal on everything from politics to entertainment. Check out cooper12345 as he answers our Entertainment questions.

What is your favorite love song ever?
All By Myself - Eric Carmen. I am a little bitter at the moment... Actually it would be Creep by Radiohead and or Wicked Game by Chris Issac.

Do you have any "guilty pleasure" songs?
Not so much a guilty pleasure song... But what gets me going when I don't want to get out of bed, More Than a Feelin by Boston.

What song(s) make you instantly think of sex?
Salt n Pepa - Shoop.. lol "Twelve inches to yard, have ya soundin like a retard" HA!

The last movie I cried at was ______.
The only movie I have EVER cried at is Life is Beautiful. Fantastic movie!!!

The last movie I laughed out loud at was ______.
Funny People. A good thirty minutes of it needed to be cut, including the uncalled for uses of the f-bomb every other word. But the parts that were funny were really funny, and it had a very good ending. Actually the girl I would switch teams for is the chick from that movie. She is just great! Beautiful and funny.

Who do you consider to be the hottest actor of all time and why?
Paul Newman... Like 1950's Paul Newman... DAMN IT MAN!! And besides he turned out to be such a great guy and all. Nothing makes a man more genuinely attractive than a kind heart.

Which celebrity does everybody say you look like?
Christian Slater, constantly. Which I am not so sure I like, not the greatest looking guy in my book... Oh well. ;P

If you could look like any celebrity, which celeb would that be?
Kinda fine the way I am, except maybe a nose job.

If you could date anyone famous, who would that be?
I don't know if I would be up for the drama. Kinda hard to find a decent guy in the regular world, let alone in Hollywood. Besides I would HATE people taking my picture all the time!

Who was your first celebrity crush and why?
JTT.. LOL Otherwise known as Jonathan Taylor Thomas. He was SOO adorable on Home Improvement.

If you could choose two same-sex celebrities to be in a love scene, who would they be?
Gerard Butler and... Eric Bana Yummy! Although I am not quite sure who would end up on pitching and would end up catching....

Which female celeb would you switch teams for?
Depends, which female celeb is considering a sex change? Maybe Elizabeth Taylor, I could push her around in her wheelchair while we drink Sangria and trash talk other celebs. Besides wouldn't you give almost anything to pick her brain a bit... I mean she did make a man love her so much he almost bankrupted himself buying her priceless jewelry. That is talent!

Which celebrity would you give anything to see come out of the closet?
Eric Bana, for personal reasons. For his sake, I hope he is NEVER within ten feet of me, I will attack him. A close second, Mario Lopez I just want to pinch his cheeks, all four of em! Besides I have always wondered if his other cheeks have those sexy dimples as well... Oh, and Daniel Craig... makes my temp rise every time I watch 007. Sexiest Bond ever!

In general, which are hotter -- singers, actors or dancers?
Actors, they have to look good, pictures demand it. Singers can get away with ugly. Can't recall any famous dancers...

Who's your favorite diva and why?
Bette Midler. She is just great. Second, maybe Tori Amos, she got me through some rough times.

If they made a movie about you, who would you want to star?
I dunno... My default answer would be Christian Slater. But I would kind of hope for a younger guy to play me.

Which rock star(s) are you most attracted to?
Adam Lavine.. I kinda dig short guys and he has that mysterious quality about him.

Who would you rather sleep with and WHY?

Zac Efron or Chase Crawford? Aren't they long lost twins? Either or... Would only be for bragging rights anyway. WAY to young for me. I tend to like my men at least drinking age and with a little hair on their chests.
Anderson Cooper or David Beckham? Anderson Cooper, smart guy wins every time. Besides Beckham is WAY to gay for me!
Prince William or Prince Harry? Three way?
Lance Bass or Neil Patrick Harris? PASS!!!! Neither.. Ugh...
George Bush or Anne Coulter? Ann Coulter hands down. She fascinates me.
Taye Diggs or Christian Bale? Taye Diggs, he is aborable. Besides my mom would have a coronary if I brought home a black man (I always tease my mom that if I ever have a baby it will be with a black woman and that she had better start learning to do hair now!) and Christian Bale is an egocentric jack ass.
Lenny Kravitz or Danielle Radcliffe? Lenny Kravitz, he seems like he might be a bit of a freak. Kinda makes me curious.
Hugh Jackman or Tom Ford? Damn... hard choice... For a quick meaningless romp Tom Ford, not sure he is capable of commitment. But sure think he would be fun! Hugh Jackman in the long run, he seems to be a very nice and an incredibly sexy man. I get the feeling if my car broke down he could fix it.
Ryan Phillipe or Robert Gant? Robert Gant!! His smile melts me like butter. And his arms are so inviting, I get the feeling any trouble I might have in the world can be solved in his arms.
Mario Lopez or Gerard Butler? Again, Mario if it were a quick fling type of thing. He seems nice, but too nice. Gerard takes it for the long run. He is sexy and fun; I like a man that knows how to play and joke around.
Jonathan Rhys Meyers or Enrique Iglesias? Enrique. Just Enrique. He can sing me to sleep every night!
Rick Astley or George Michael? Who is Rick Astley? Surely not George Michael though, my idea of a first date does not involve cruising public parks. Or taking loads of pain pills and seeing how many parked cars we can hit in an evening.
Johnny Depp or Jake Gyllenhaal? PASS again. Not too fond of either of them for some reason. I don't feel like I could ever please Johnny Depp and Jake Gyllenhaal looks funny. He has pretty eyes though!

(Images: cooper12345 and Getty Images)

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Name: Guillermo
Gay.com Member Name: Boy1891
Age: 18
Gender: Male
Ethnicity: Latino
Sexual Orientation: Gay
Birthplace: Uruguay

As a Latino/Hispanic, do you have a "coming out" story specific to your culture? Or do you have any stories describing why you feel you cannot "come out" as an LGBT Latino?
Well I grow up in a small city (population around 100,000) so that describes almost everything. Why it does? Well first gay discrimination is everywhere, you grow up with this idea of being LGBT is bad. Another problem would be that, due to the discrimination, LGBT are hidden from the community, plus there is a small amount of people so that means less LGBT people. In the end, what are your chances of finding someone else? None, so you keep your head down and try to move, try to be straight or fight it, and it's not an easy fight but not impossible.

Who is your favorite Latino/Hispanic icon? Why?
If I have to choose then it would be Shakira. Why? She is great, as a singer and as a person. She doesn't care where people are from or their sexual orientation.

Are you aware of any LGBT Latino/Hispanic celebrities or public figures, or can you name any that you know to be gay-friendly or pro-gay?
I'm not really into the celeb stuff. There might be a few but I wouldn't expect many.

How did you learn about sex and sexual orientation? Was it from family, friends, religion, etc?
I did all my grade school - high school life in Uruguay (well a few years of school in Argentina) and I only learn about sex and safe sex in high school. No sexual orientation talk, they didn't even mention it. Gay is like a forbidden word in our country. Parents might say something about safe sex, same goes for friends. About religion, well I used to go to church when I was a child but as far as I know, they never mention anything about sex(Christian religion).

What are your perceptions of what makes a gay man (top/bottom or other roles?) and a lesbian in Latino/Hispanic culture?
I think that depends on how someone feels, if he/she feels comfortable. It depends on the person and not their ethnicity I guess.

Could you provide an experience where you were a victim of gay bashing/abuse from fellow Latinos vs. non-Hispanic people, whether you were "out" or not?
Luckily I never had any experience in that way, not with latino vs non-hispanic, just the "normal' discrimination for being gay. I think that people who discriminate latinos or hispanic people are just a minority nowadays. At least thats my experience living in Thailand.

How did you learn about STDs and safe sex? Was it culturally specific through organizations or just through personal experiences?
You learn that in the school, I think private schools usually put more pressure on safe sex or STD information.

If you are out to your family, describe how difficult/easy your "coming out" experience was. Was there any particular family member you felt most comfortable telling? Why? Was there someone you felt least comfortable telling? Why?
I'm not out yet but I can say that it won't be easy. If there is any particular member that I'd feel more comfortable telling it would be my mother, as she is a woman and she doesn't feel any kind of discrimination to LGBT. The least comfortable would be my father and one of my brothers, they feel, like many other latinos, discrimination towards gay people. Usually father's in cities like my hometown are like that, and that's how they raise their children, and the circle of hating goes on and on.

If you are actively involved in the larger gay community, do you, as a Latino/Hispanic, ever feel either objectified or discriminated against by others because of your race or ethnicity?
Never, at least in the communities I have been. Again, I think the Latino/Hispanic discrimination is almost over and if there are any then its from a single person or a small group. Anyway, if there is discrimination against someone because of his/her ethnicity then just ignore them, like if we see anyone discriminating someone because he is LGBT, you just ignore them.

Gay/Lesbian and Hispanic? We want to know more about the cultural experiences of being gay in the Latino/Hispanic community. If you've got a story, we want you to share it with our readers. Click here to share your story.

Welcome to Hot Commodity, where members get vocal on everything from politics to entertainment. Check out ZenHero as he answers our Grab Bag questions.

If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why?
If I had a special power, I would have the power to persuade people. Of course, I would try to use that power so that I can benefit so many people.

If you were one of the seven dwarves, which one would you be and why? Which would your friends say you were? 
Strangely, I can't be just one ... maybe Doc. Doc seems to be the "every dwarf." I was called Happy by coworkers and friends, but I know they can agree if I was Doc.

Name one thing you simply couldn't live without.
I can't live without a purpose in the day. I wanted to think outside the box on this question. I think I can't live without a purpose. I think my purpose is to help myself and the world reach a better place of existence. I express it with my drawing and hopefully with my actions. It is what feeds meaning of who I am, and without it. I am lifeless.

If you could travel in time, would you go forward or back and why?
I would go back in time, to meet my grandfather. I was a child when he passed, and I wanted to let him know that I still think about him and want to know if he is proud of the man I have become. I think that because of his influence and teachings, I have pushed myself to be a strong person. So if I had a chance to tell him as a grown man, that his grandson has tried his hardest to make him proud.

If you could choose different parents, would you?
I don't think I would change my parents. The word parent means different things to different people. Some think it’s a mother and father, but to me it’s the people who help brought me up. My mother remarried, so I am adopted. Both my mother and stepfather care about me. I could not even think of choosing anyone else. These two loving people care about me and respect me.
When I came out to them (May 2009) they held me and told me that they are so proud of me and that they will always love me. The feeling of guilt and dishonor subsided and they embraced me with a loving grasp. I could not ask for anything more. From the stories I hear about others who come out, they were not so lucky. I am one of those lucky ones who has a family who loves and respects me.

If you could go back in time and "choose" to be straight, would you, and why?

If I had a choice, I think I would have wanted to be straight. When I was younger I always dreamed of having that life of me, a loving wife, and child with the typical house and picket fence. But life is filled with many curve balls. I think life for me would have been easier. Even though our gay society is building on acceptance, there are a few more hurdles that we need to cross which are much easier for straight folks. I am, however, happy with who I am and my way of being a gay man. I think as long as I am able to be a good, caring, righteous person. I can't go wrong no matter if I am gay or straight.

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Name: Michael
Gay.com Member Name: Caliboy90505
Age: 29
Gender: Male
Ethnicity: Latino/Hispanic
Sexual Orientation: Gay
Birthplace: Lakeview Terrace, CA

As a Latino/Hispanic, do you have a "coming out" story specific to your culture? Or do you have any stories describing why you feel you cannot "come out" as an LGBT Latino?
I came out to my parents and family back in 2003 when I met a guy on gay.com and moved to Torrance, California. As I was there I felt like this was me and decided to call my parents back in Midland, Texas and tell them that I was gay and was happy. My mom was the first for me to tell and she said that she had already knew. I told her to tell my dad and of course being the "macho-mexican" that he is; he was not happy and didn't want to speak of the subject ever. Now that I'm back in Midland, he seems to not have a problem with it anymore, we just don't speak of the subject. So I'm proud to say that I'm completely OUT and have no shame or regrets.

Who is your favorite Latino/Hispanic icon? Why?
I like George Lopez. He's real, and I can relate to a lot of his comedy shows; and he doesn't forget where he came from.

Are you aware of any LGBT Latino/Hispanic celebrities or public figures, or can you name any that you know to be gay-friendly or pro-gay?
I'm not to sure, but I wanna say that maybe Jennifer Lopez is pro-gay.

How did you learn about sex and sexual orientation? Was it from family, friends, religion, etc?
I learned about sex, from friends and TV.

What are your perceptions of what makes a gay man (top/bottom or other roles?) and a lesbian in Latino/Hispanic culture?
I believe what makes a gay man or Lesbian in the Latino culture, is basically that we stand up for who we are and what we believe in.

Could you provide an experience where you were a victim of gay bashing/abuse from fellow Latinos vs. non-Hispanic people, whether you were "out" or not?
I'm very fortunate to this day to have not experienced this in my life. Occasionally I will hear someone say something under there breath; like "Fag". I doesn't bother me too much, its when they invade my personal space when it becomes an altercation. Living in "Bush Country" there are lots of conservatives, but I really haven't had an uncomfortable encounter; and I hope not to have one in the future.

How did you learn about STDs and safe sex? Was it culturally specific through organizations or just through personal experiences?
I learned about STDs from school and through people and basically just doing my own research on these topics.

If you are out to your family, describe how difficult/easy your "coming out" experience was. Was there any particular family member you felt most comfortable telling? Why? Was there someone you felt least comfortable telling? Why?
I came out to my parents and family back in 2003 when I met a guy on gay.com and moved to Torrance, California. As I was there I felt like this was me and decided to call my parents back in Midland, Texas and tell them that I was gay and was happy. My mom was the first for me to tell and she said that she already knew. I told her to tell my dad and of course being the "macho-mexican" that he is; he was not happy and didn't want to speak of the subject ever. Now that I'm back in Midland, he seems to not have a problem with it anymore, we just don't speak of the subject. So I'm proud to say that I'm completely OUT and have no shame or regrets.

If you are actively involved in the larger gay community, do you, as a Latino/Hispanic, ever feel either objectified or discriminated against by others because of your race or ethnicity?
Because Midland is a very conservative small city, there is really no gay activism here. I wish there were.

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