State lawmakers change their stance on gender-neutral terms, with LGBTQ+ groups calling the new proposal a victory.
In a surprising shift, several Connecticut lawmakers who had previously sought to ban the term “Latinx” are now promoting the use of the gender-neutral term “Latine” in state documents. This change in stance, reflected in a new bill (H.B.-6909), aims to approve the use of both “Latino” and “Latina” alongside “Latine,” leaving “Latinx” to remain optional but not mandated.
State Rep. Geraldo Reyes, who had initially spearheaded the push to ban “Latinx” due to its perceived inaccuracy in Spanish, is now backing “Latine” as a more acceptable term. Reyes, who argued that “Latinx” wasn’t a traditional Spanish word and was offensive to some in the Puerto Rican community, emphasized that this new proposal aligns better with growing usage trends in Latin America and the LGBTQ+ community.
The bill has been hailed as a significant win for LGBTQ+ groups in the state. Advocates point to the increasing use of “Latine,” particularly in Spanish-speaking LGBTQ+ communities in Latin America, where the term has been embraced for its inclusive and gender-neutral nature.
For these groups, the endorsement of “Latine” represents progress, allowing the term to gain legitimacy in formal settings, especially in documents that shape policy and cultural representation. The decision to allow this term—without penalizing “Latinx”—seems to be a balanced approach, satisfying both cultural sensitivities and the need for inclusivity.
Nelson Rafael Feliciano Roman, an advocate and coalition president of the Greater Waterbury PRIDE, noted that the shift towards “Latine” reflects a broader acceptance of evolving language within diverse communities, including those of Afro-Caribbean and LGBTQ+ backgrounds.