Date of Graduation

Fall 12-16-2011

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies (MAIS)

Department/Program

International Studies

First Advisor

Sergio De La Torre

Abstract

Despite Latin America’s lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) movement’s recent ground-breaking political achievements, wide spread social acceptance of LGBTQ individuals is not evident in every institution, nor in every part of the region. For some, migration to the U.S. is the solution for escaping the strict social constructs of the region. Of the many studies focusing on the LGBTQ individuals, limited research examines the Latino/a segment of the LGBTQ population. The study explores the motivations behind migration as well as the resettlement process of those immigrating to the San Francisco Bay Area from Latin America, focusing on the areas of housing, economic stability, health care, and the workforce in both regions. A total of twelve participants were survey, five of which participated in follow-up interviews. The findings showed that male participants who identified as more masculine received considerably less discrimination on the bases of their sexual orientation in Latin America, while male participants describing themselves as more effeminate received the most discrimination. Participants were generally more satisfied living in the San Francisco Bay Area rather than in their country of origin, even though the general complaint was against lack of affordable housing in San Francisco.

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