Naya Rivera, who plays lesbian
cheerleader Santana Lopez on Glee, has said the Latino
community is becoming increasingly accepting of gay rights.
Rivera, whose father is Puerto Rican,
spoke to The
Huffington Post about the issue at Saturday's GLAAD Media
Awards in New York City, which she co-hosted with Glee co-star
Cory Monteith.
(Related: Naya
Rivera, Cory Monteith, John Stamos auction kisses at GLAAD Media
Awards.)
When asked where the Latino community
was on its support, Rivera answered: “I feel like it might have
taken a little bit longer just because traditional Latino families
are very, you know, religious, and very Catholic, and that might
have, you know, been a little bit of a hurdle in that community. But
I feel like they're very accepting and proud.”
Rivera added that she believes her role
playig a lesbian on television has saved lives.
“I get a lot of really touching
letters from really young girls, you know, saying that the character
that I play on Glee has really helped them come out to their
friends or family or, even if they are not ready to come out yet,
just be happy and secure with who they are. Honestly, I think it
saves lives,” she said.