Noticias del Gay Hispanic Caucus of Houston, Texas
While the gay community is already a marginalized group within the greater straight-favoring societal structure, Hispanic gays have historically faced double discrimination. As recently as 2004, a substantial majority of gay Latinos (participating in a study) reported "racially biased sexual discrimination" and "experiences of discomfort" in predominantly White gay situations on account of their ethnic identity (Diaz 2004). Furthermore, the rampant homophobia that is deeply engrained in many Latino cultures and compounded by "caricatured images of gay people in media" and by their (predominantly) Catholic religion can impede on Hispanic gays' ability to obtain social support from family members and their community as a whole (Ocampo 2014). Where do Hispanic gays find comfort and community?
A recent study found that the greatest sources of social support for young gay Hispanic males involved shared experiences, including support from those who had experiences with the LGBT community (Rios 2016). Adding ethnic identity to the mix, platforms that positively highlight the intersectionality between race/ethnicity and sexuality can foster the greatest amount of percieved social support. Groups like the Gay Hispanic Caucus facilitated networking and friendships between gay and lesbian Latinos, helping bridge together support from both the gay and Hispanic communities in a state that historically has discriminated against both groups. The GHC is a strong example of how a marginalized minority group demonstrated unity and power by banding together and advocating for its members.
Historical Note
The Gay Hispanic Caucus (later the Gay and Lesbian Hispanics Unidos) was Houston's largest gay and lesbian Hispanic organization at one point in time, and garnered a plethora of members during its active years from the late 1970's through early 1990's. In its earliest years, the organization was a political interest group aiming to strengthen the voice of Latinos within the larger gay community. Later shifting its focus towards more social, cultural, and educational events, the organization sponsored dances and potlucks, attended events celebrating Hispanic heritage, and ran bilingual HIV/AIDS educational campaigns. The groups began sending out a newsletter in 1981 which helped communicate such information to its members.
The Noticias
Below is a selection of issues of the GHC's newsletter, the Noticias del Gay Hispanic Caucus, from 1982-1985. The newsletter informed its memebrs of local activities of interest, social events, gay bars and clubs, safe sex tips, and of ways to become politically active in support of the gay Hispanic community. Through the Noticias, existing and prospective members of the GHC were connected to each other and to the larger gay Hispanic community of Texas and even the rest of the Americas.
In this early issue, the GHC reflects on its accomplishments and shortcomings in the year 1982, and asks members to submit ideas about what they would like to see in 1983. The group states its intention to transition from a primarily social group to one involved in international issues. The issue includes a section about possibly joining an archival effort with the Lesbian and Gay Archives of Texas, as well as details about activities of interest to members. The newsletter ends with a love poem in Spanish, accompanied by a drawing of two men in a loving embrace.
This issue covers the GHC's plans for their annual "baile", a large social dance event, as well as for the group's involvement in Houston's Gay Pride Week celebrations. A guest editorial section urges members of the GHC to be politically active. The last page of the issue is covered in love poems.
This issue includes a section encouraging members to become actively engaged in local politics, an informational segment about AIDS that encourages safe sex, as well as sections about various activities and organizations of potential interest to members.
Latinos are four times more likely to be diagnosed with AIDS than non-Latino Whites (Diaz 2004), making the GHC's educational efforts incredibly necessary.
This issue includes a cover with a collage of pictures of latinos in culturally traditional garb in honor of many Latin American countries' independence days. Page 2 includes a section on the revelation of FBI surveillance files on gay groups, as well as a segment on an upcoming AIDS vaccine.
In this Dia de los Muertos-themed issue, the GHC offers a basic overview of the Mexican holiday, a piece about wealth and income inequality in the United States, and some messages from Mexican gay and lesbian organizations in Spanish.
This issue's cover includes an illustration incorporating the words "share this season of peace with the people of El Salvador" (as the country was four years into its civil war at the time), as well as a paragraph about how members of the GHC met up with members of their Dallas counterpart and shared thoughts and philosophies and hope to continue communications. The closing page explores problems faced by the gay community due to the AIDS crisis, as well as an informational section about preventing the spread of the disease.
The GHC offers a short summary of the history behind the Cinco de Mayo celebration, and connects that struggle for freedom and equality to the one faced by hispanic gays and lesbians. The cover page features a decorative illustration as well as information about the group's holiday celebration party. The back page of the issue includes political cartoons, a list of activities of possible interest to members, and an informational section about new research on the spreading of AIDS.
The editor of the selected newsletter issues, Dennis Medina, donated his collection of GLHU (formerly GHC) material to the Nettie Lee Benson Latin American Collection at the University of Texas at Austin, through which this material is made available.
See Texas Archival Resources Online for more detailed information https://legacy.lib.utexas.edu/taro/utlac/00125/lac-00125.html