September 2024, Los Angeles, California – The voices of the past echo still, reverberating across generations of hope, faith, and survival. Yet in the heart of America’s Hispanic community, a new chord has been struck—one that sings of choice, agency, and autonomy. For decades, political analysts would cast a net of tradition over this diverse population, believing their values to be tightly bound by religion, by custom. But like the steady flow of a river that wears down stone, opinions have shifted, finding their own path.
Now, as a powerful new survey reveals, the majority of Hispanics across the United States—be they Catholic, Protestant, or unbound by any faith—believe in the legal right to choose. They stand firm in the belief that abortion should be legal in most, if not all, circumstances.
A New Day for a Community in Flux
Once, the sentiment among many was clear—staunch conservatism, especially around issues like abortion. But now, the tide has changed. According to the most recent AP-NORC poll, conducted in September 2024, 6 out of 10 Hispanic Protestants and nearly two-thirds of Hispanic Catholics support legal access to abortion in most cases. And as we march toward another critical election in November, this collective voice may shape the future of women’s rights in America.
It is a stunning moment of reflection. One that transcends labels—religious or political—and asks us to listen, truly listen, to the desires of a community whose diversity is its greatest strength. A community, like the land beneath their feet, that has known struggle and resilience.
Religious Roots, Modern Views
Though almost 4 in 10 U.S. Hispanics still identify as Catholic, and a third as Protestant or “other Christian,” their views on abortion break from what many might expect. A broad coalition of voices—religious and secular—calls for access to safe and legal abortions, even in the face of the church’s long-standing opposition.
For Lorraine Martinez, a 68-year-old woman from California, this shift isn’t just political; it is personal. “I was raised in the Catholic faith,” she shared, her voice tinged with memories of childhood Sundays. “But faith also taught me to care for my neighbor, to be kind, not cruel. The decision to have an abortion, that’s a woman’s choice. It’s her health, her life. Who am I, who is anyone, to judge?”
This evolving perspective among Hispanic Catholics is mirrored by their Protestant brothers and sisters. While both groups have theological differences, their stance on reproductive rights reflects a growing concern for the well-being of women in their communities.
A Battle at the Ballot Box
The winds of change blow strongest when met with resistance, and in the race for the presidency, this issue has become a flashpoint. Kamala Harris, the Democratic candidate and current Vice President, has made it clear—she stands firmly with those who believe in the right to choose. Across the aisle stands Donald Trump, who, during his time in office, appointed the very judges who overturned Roe v. Wade, sending shockwaves through the nation in 2022.
As election day nears, many Hispanic voters—both Catholic and Protestant—list abortion as a key issue, though it is far from the only concern weighing on their minds. Economic insecurity, healthcare, immigration, and crime all form part of the intricate web of considerations driving them to the polls.
Ali Valenzuela, a professor at American University, noted that the overturning of Roe v. Wade sparked a reckoning. “Many Hispanics used to oppose abortion largely due to religious reasons,” he said. “But today, the political landscape has shifted dramatically. Abortion access is now seen as a fundamental right—one that many in this community are not willing to see eroded.”
Faith, Family, and Politics
The dance between faith and politics is never simple, especially in a year like this. But for every person like Lorraine, there’s someone like Pam Butcher of West Virginia, whose deeply held faith leads her to an opposing conclusion. “I’m pro-life,” Pam said softly, her voice steady but resolute. “I believe abortion is wrong, except maybe in cases of rape, incest, or when the mother’s life is in danger. But for me, it’s taking a life.”
Pam, whose family’s Mexican heritage connects her to this conversation, will be voting for Trump. She, like many, believes that the former president’s move to return the decision on abortion to the states was an act of preservation, not restriction.
“It’s about giving people the choice to decide in their own communities,” Pam continued, as her voice grew quiet. “I believe that.”
The Future of a Nation
As the dawn of a new election approaches, the question of abortion access burns brightly at the forefront of national debate. While the voices within the Hispanic community are not uniform, one thing is clear—this issue cuts deep, not just through policy, but through the very heart of what it means to choose. To choose life, to choose freedom, to choose autonomy.
In states like California, where Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham has championed the opening of state-funded abortion clinics, the lines are being drawn. These clinics, designed to serve not just locals but those fleeing restrictive laws in places like Texas and Oklahoma, are seen by many as beacons of hope. “This is a promise,” Lujan Grisham said, “A promise to protect reproductive freedom.”
Yet, for some, like Pastor Samuel Rodriguez, the question of abortion isn’t one of liberty, but of life itself. In a recent op-ed, he warned that the Democratic Party’s stance on abortion could alienate Latino voters who seek greater restrictions, particularly for late-term abortions. “This is a moral issue,” he wrote. “And for many in our community, it’s a line that cannot be crossed.”
A Community at a Crossroads
The Hispanic community in the United States stands at a crossroads, where faith, politics, and personal beliefs converge. Some, like Gabriela Maldonado, a 20-year-old from Chicago, find themselves pulled in different directions. Though she opposes abortion personally, she believes the Republican Party will better handle other issues important to her, like the economy and immigration.
“I want to see real change,” Gabriela said. “But I also want people to be safe, to have options.”
And so, as the days inch closer to November, the future of abortion rights hangs in the balance, carried on the shoulders of those who understand that choice is never simple. It is a reflection of who we are, and who we wish to become.
