Wondering what Latinx means? We can help. Read on to discover everything you need to know about the increasingly popular gender-inclusive term.
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Kevin
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January 22, 2022
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Common Questions
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What Does Latinx Mean?
In recent years, many people have started using the gender-neutral term “Latinx” in place of gendered words like Latino or Latina. Used to describe the diverse group of individuals who have roots in Latin America, Latinx has become adopted by members of the LGBTQ community who may not want to be identified by a specific gender.
Latinx is a gender-neutral term for Latin Americans (or those of Latin descent) who don’t fit into the categories or labels of “male” or “female.”
Commonly pronounced “Latin-EX” or “la-teen-ex,” the term Latinx purposefully breaks with Spanish’s gendered grammatical tradition. The “X” at the end of Latinx signifies something unknown and is used to connote unspecified gender.
What is the Origin of the Term Latinx?
“Latinx” originated in the mid-2000s, though it’s unclear exactly where the term came from.
Some people believe it came from Latin American radical feminists who would protest by marking out words with an “X” that ended in “os” in an attempt to reject the idea that the masculine is the default.
Other folks believe the word Latinx came from activist circles who wanted to continue expanding on new gender-inclusive variations such as “Latino/a” and “Latin@.”
Latinx Is Gender-Neutral
These popular alternatives denote males and females in their formation but don’t include those outside the gender binary. The word Latinx, on the other hand, is a term that is free from gender in its makeup, which is why those who identify as queer, trans, or non-binary often use it to express their identity.
You see, in the Spanish language, words that end in “o” or “os” are generally considered masculine, whereas words that end in “a” or “a” are typically considered feminine. The term Latinx is ultimately a non-binary, inclusive way of pushing back against this gendered terminology.
When Did Latinx Become a Popular Term?
Despite originating at the start of the 21st century over two decades ago, Google Trends shows that searches for Latinx saw a significant spike in June 2016 — the same month as the Pulse nightclub shooting in Orlando.
Since then, the word has grown in popularity in social media and academic writing. However, according to researchers at the Pew Research Center, it hasn’t been widely embraced by the Latin American community just yet, with just 4 percent preferring the term over “Hispanic” and “Latino/Latina.”
How To Use Latinx in a Sentence
Here are a few different ways you can use the word Latinx in a sentence:
“The Latinx community is known for being loving and welcoming.”
“Uber is now 8.3 percent Latinx compared to just 6.1 percent last year.”
“She is a part of the Latinx community as well as the Portuguese community.”
“There is a large group of people who identify as Latinx.”
“My brother from Brazil is part of the Latinx community!”
“To be considered Latinx, you or your ancestors much have come from a Latin American country.”
“People of Latin American descent who refuse to conform to male\famale gender binaries may consider themselves Latinx.”
When Should You Use the Word Latinx?
Suppose you don’t belong to the Hispanic or Latin American demographic and you’re about to use the term Latinx to describe a specific person. In that case, it’s courteous to ask how they prefer to be identified as not everyone is familiar with the gender-neutral terminology.
Is Latinx Always the Right Term To Use?
Additionally, some Latin Americans feel Latinx is a term primarily pushed by public figures and White Americans with questionable intentions. In contrast, others think it use of the word contributes to racial division by attempting to rewrite the Spanish language.
The small number of people who ultimately do prefer to be described as Latinx are likely to refer to themselves as feminists and/or fall somewhere in the LGBTQ+ spectrum.
So, to avoid any confusion or accidentally misgendering someone, always ask how they would like to be identified. Everyone is different, and while some Latin Americans may prefer Latinx, others may be offended by the term. Simply ask, “How do you self-identify?”
What is the Difference Between the Terms Hispanic and Latinx?
As mentioned, Latinx is a term that has become popular thanks to activists and the LGBTQIA community. It refers to individuals of Latin American origin, including people from Latin American countries where the national language isn’t necessarily Spanish, such as Brazil.
On the other hand, Hispanic is a word formalized by the United States government that often refers to anyone from a Spanish-speaking country, including Spain. It derives from Hispana, meaning descended from the people of Spain.
In addition, remember that an individual can consider themselves both Latinx and Hispanic.
Recap
Latinx is an accepted gender-neutral term describing people of Latin American descent who don’t identify as male or female. The term also applies to people who don’t want to be identified by their assigned gender.
Although the term has become increasingly popular over the years, Latinx hasn’t been widely accepted by the Latin American community just yet, with a mere 4 percent of surveyed people preferring the term.
Regardless of terminology, it’s essential to be courteous of others and how they identify. Simply asking an individual their preference rather than assuming will make you less likely to offend someone. Be respectful and always treat others the way you want to be treated.
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