title: Getting Involved: Exploring Latino GBT Volunteerism and Activism in AIDS and LGBT Organizations.
abstract: The purpose of this paper is to investigate the community involvement (e.g., volunteerism, activism) of Latino gay and bisexual men and transgender persons (GBT) in two areas: AIDS/GLBT and other general causes. Drawing from volunteering and identity theories, we explore: Who is likely to get involved? What factors affect variation in the levels of involvement? Where do Latino GBT participate and what do they do? Data come from a cross-sectional sample (N=643) of Latino GBT in Chicago and San Francisco. We find high levels of involvement, but primarily focused on AIDS/GLBT. Involvement appears to be driven by income, early involvement, role modeling, and childhood stigmatization of gender nonconformity.
authors.affiliation: University of Illinois at Chicago.
authors.forename: Jesus
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ramirez-Valles
authors.affiliation: University of Illinois at Chicago.
authors.forename: Lisa M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Kuhns
authors.affiliation: Emory University.
authors.forename: Raquel
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Vázquez
authors.affiliation: University of Illinois at Chicago.
authors.forename: Gregory D
authors.initials: GD
authors.lastname: Benjamin
keywords: HIV/AIDS; Latino; activism; gay men; volunteering