LGBT Latina Survey Reveals Domestic Abuse, Discrimination

The results of a 2007 survey of LGBT Latinas in Chicago, released Thursday, revealed disturbing statistics regarding violence and discrimination.

Conducted by Mujeres Latinas en Accion, "Latina Portrait: Latina Queer Women in Chicago" queried 305 subjects on a variety of topics, such as inequity and health. Among the findings were higher than expected rates of domestic abuse, which were shockingly reported by both victims and perpetrators.

"What was alarming was that the women admitted they were participating in the violent behavior," said Lourdes Torres, a DePaul University professor who coauthored the report.

Of those surveyed, 43% said they had been physically assaulted by a partner, while 45% admitted to having hit or punched a partner. Twenty-three percent reported that they had at some point threatened to kill a partner.

Also disturbing were the statistics on discrimination. Almost 69% said they had heard racist remarks directed at them, while nearly 85% said they had been present when racist remarks were directed at others. In addition, many women said they had experienced discrimination in the general LGBT population because they were Latina.

For more results, read the full Windy City Times story.