Men Will Be Men.  Well, no, it doesn't have to be this way.  As I see it, too often machismo translates into power differentials based on gender or sex, where men wield considerably more control over resources (power, money, jobs, politics) than women and children.  But this paradigm also relegates women to an inferior status in many spheres of society and ultimately legitimizes the abuse of women and sexual exploitation in the workplace and on the street. Even in this country it was only a few decades ago that certain lower-paid professions (teaching, nursing) were designated for women while higher-paying jobs were reserved for men.  To this day in many parts of Latin America women who marry or become pregnant are expected to immediately resign from their paid positions. 

In many Latino cultures men are expected to have sex early and often, accumulating more partners over time.  Men and women are expected to marry their opposite sex, and extramarital sex is tolerated or condoned-for the male of course, not the female.  Men also usually determine whether or not a condom is used.  If there is an implicit threat that a man way withhold economic or emotional security if he is required to use condoms, Latina women are at greater risk due to this power imbalance.

Homophobia exists practically in every country (except maybe Denmark), however, when coupled with machismo, can have disastrous consequences.  Many men in Latin America who have sex with other men are made to feel ashamed that they are gay.  At the same time, culture often dictates that they marry a woman even if they are only attracted to other men.  A conundrum indeed, having to pretend you're straight but forced to hide it from your family and society in general. 

There are some silver linings, though.  As with many groups that have been exiled, repressed or persecuted, communities and organizations have formed as counter-responses.  Thus, over the last few decades there are strong LGBT communities all over Latin America from Argentina to Brazil to the Dominican Republic.

And while not perfect, in many urban locations in the United States it is ok to be gay or LGBT.  Places like NYC, San Francisco, DC, Chicago, and Philadelphia have visible, long-standing gay communities and "gayborhoods." 

What I have been pleasantly surprised about here in Philly is the growing presence of a visible Latino LGBT community.  Several clubs and bars have had LGBT Latin nights for the last few years, but these are mostly in downtown center city.  Over the last two years, though, there has been a mini-explosion of LGBT nights in Latino clubs and restaurants in North Philadelphia of all places.  We now also have two LGBT bars owned by Latina lesbians in North Philadelphia.  In addition, Philadelphia just celebrated its second annual Latino LGBT Pride Festival, also in North Philadelphia. GALAEI, as usual, participated in this year's Philadelphia Pride Parade in Center City, but we also plan to participate in the City's Puerto Rican Day Parade.

I see gay people.  LGBT Latino people all over North Philadelphia.  Transgender friends hanging out at predominantly straight clubs on Allegheny Avenue.  Latina lesbian partners holding hands while walking through Norris Square.  Gay Dominican men working out together at Bally's or hanging out at my favorite restaurant on Lehigh Avenue.

So what's next?  In Philadelphia the future looks good.