Gay in the suburbs (Chicago, Cicero: apartment, lease, neighborhoods)

[Warsie]

Originally Posted by chet everett

Elmwood Park is largely becoming a suburb with a significant portion of its residents from cultures where "machismo" is a big part of the culture...

Originally Posted by chitownperson

And which residents would that be?

Mexicans........

Originally Posted by chitownperson

I'm still waiting to hear which residents you mean by suggesting certain new residents moving in have "machoism" as a part of their "culture"... the suggestion that Elmwood Park is an area that would be less welcoming to a gay couple than "nicer suburbs" (which ever those suburbs may be).

Mexicans and "Old School" Italians. Possibly Polish, but Poles are not latin language speakers (minus lol catholicism rites)

[tollfree]

Originally Posted by chitownperson

There are a lot more choices that one could say are even more "stupid" depending on what the OP is looking for. Distance is always a factor, but there are a lot of other considerations that go into choosing where to live, such as quality of life.

I'm still waiting to hear which residents you mean by suggesting certain new residents moving in have "machoism" as a part of their "culture"... the suggestion that Elmwood Park is an area that would be less welcoming to a gay couple than "nicer suburbs" (which ever those suburbs may be).

He obviously means Latino, which probably means Mexican or Central American in the US.

These cultures usually do have a problem with gays, because Hispanic culture is generally close minded outside of certain countries in South America (Chile, Argentina, Uruguay).

Ever watch Univision? Notice how the majority of their humor is centered around men in drag acting like queens, it's how the culture deals with it, they aren't ready to accept it normally.

[BRU67]

Originally Posted by RonnieJonez

He obviously means Latino, which probably means Mexican or Central American in the US.

These cultures usually do have a problem with gays, because Hispanic culture is generally close minded outside of certain countries in South America (Chile, Argentina, Uruguay).

Ever watch Univision? Notice how the majority of their humor is centered around men in drag acting like queens, it's how the culture deals with it, they aren't ready to accept it normally.

Interesting then that Berwyn, which has quite a large Mexican population, has the fourth largest LGBT population in the state behind Oak Park, Evanston and Chicago. Since this sweeping stereotype must be true I'm downright perplexed

[chitownperson]

I'm sure we can find large groups of people from ALL ethnic cultures that are less than welcoming to, and accepting of, non heterosexuals. I agree that these are "sweeping stereotypes.

[urza216]

A culture of machismo? There are definitely hot Latinas that would completely agree with Chet's sweeping generalization about Mexican men. And God bless them, haha.

[Tex?Il?]

Originally Posted by BRU67

Interesting then that Berwyn, which has quite a large Mexican population, has the fourth largest LGBT population in the state behind Oak Park, Evanston and Chicago. Since this sweeping stereotype must be true I'm downright perplexed

THe LGBT population, I am guessing is an extension of the stereotypically progressive Oak Park culture. Berwyns more affordable, and the Oak Park subculture is expanding there.

There is also a growing middle class hispanic population in Berwyn in the nicer areas which is probably more aware of diversity. However, the working class population of Berwyn, may simply be a separate

Although after living in Oak Park for two years before I moved out to California, I will say for sure that there definitely seemed to be more integration and blending of the more old school Chicago culture of Berwyn and the more "progressive" Oak Park (which would be similar to Evanston and the north side of the city), than there is between Oak Park and Elmwood Park.

Elmwood Park just felt more staunchly working class Catholic, where older Italian residents have increasing numbers of Polish and Mexican neighbors. (hey some pretty tasty potlucks at local churches I'm sure - I always thought of a fusion of spaghetti-tacos-pierogis).

[chitownperson]

Originally Posted by urza216

A culture of machismo? There are definitely hot Latinas that would completely agree with Chet's sweeping generalization about Mexican men. And God bless them, haha.

Did you actually ask these "hot latinas"? And did they ever meet up with Chet to discuss his beliefs regarding sweeping generalizations of their race?

[urza216]

Originally Posted by chitownperson

Did you actually ask these "hot latinas"? And did they ever meet up with Chet to discuss his beliefs regarding sweeping generalizations of their race?

As a matter of fact, I just had coffee with a Mexican girl a few days ago who says she never dates Mexican men, ever. It's not uncommon.

I rarely agree with Chet but he rarely gets me riled up either. And I've been riled up many times before by the stuff I read on here..

One of my best friends is Mexican and we go at it all the time about certain gender issues though. He isnt homophobic but my friend is hardly a shining example of Chicago Heights or Mexican American culture. He takes a lot of pride in being different than other people.

Mexican American women have evolved quicker than Mexican American men. And some prefer white guys who want them them to get a job and contribute..

I used to work with a Mexican man that told me he has only been in America since he was 18 years old. He made less than 9 bucks an hour and he was married to a housewife. Umm.. Yeah. He also supposedly cheated on her when another co-worker of mine supposedly blew him in the janitorial closet (she told me that he hopped on top of the bucket, pulled down his pants and said "suck my ****" but she didnt actually do it). My aquaintence makes more now since he quit and is a prep cook at a resturant in the Heights. Well, technically he just stopped showing up for work and got fired. But he essentially quit.

The bottom line is that they're definitely is a culture of machismo among Mexican men. I have been to Mexican family gatherings and listened to men talk about strip clubs in front of the women like it's as casual as what they had for lunch. This is perhaps a reality that Mexican men in America should address if they want to keep thier women.

[BRU67]

Originally Posted by Tex?Il?

I always thought of a fusion of spaghetti-tacos-pierogis).

I think you may actually be on to something with this. That does sound pretty good!

[Lud Kissel]

Originally Posted by chitownperson

Did you actually ask these "hot latinas"? And did they ever meet up with Chet to discuss his beliefs regarding sweeping generalizations of their race?

I've talked to many hot latinas in the past few days and I will tell you that they could not stop talking about some guy named Chet. They went on and on about how sexy he is. These hot latinas also used Chet to narrow down the suburb they wish to settle down in. The only down side the hot latinas spoke of Chet was when they talked about how well a school was doing in a neighborhood one was considering. I have a feeling that Chet was steering these hot latinas to Clarendon Hills!