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 topics ranging from inequity to 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 Dr. Lourdes Torres, a DePaul University professor who co-authored 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; 23% 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 in the presence of racist remarks directed at others. In addition, many women said they had experienced discrimination in the mainstream LGBT community because they were Latina.
For more results, read the full Windy City Times story.
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