Caleb Reflects on Road Less Traveled
Caleb Orozco
Caleb Orozco, Executive Director of UNIBAM, is at the forefront of the LGBT movement in Belize. He has been long anticipating the court ruling and today he spoke of the consequences of having come this far with the challenge.
Caleb Orozco, Gay Rights Activist
“From an advocacy perspective, no other legal case has triggered debate at the dinner table. No other case has challenged Belizeans to reflect on the dignity and rights of the fellow LGBT citizens. But more precisely forces families to reflect on how much or how well they are treating or not treating their own family members or blood that are LGBT self-identified. Outside of that it is a case which triggered the community ownership of the defense and protection of its rights and waking up the LGBT community in getting them to take action in whatever little way in getting things done. Outside of that, what it has triggered is a social infrastructure, if you will, of groups focusing on lesbian and bisexual women, groups focusing on trans individuals, of groups focusing on the recreational and the safe spaces that is required for our community to evolve.”
The case for the constitutional challenge concluded in 2013 and is being presided over by Chief Justice Kenneth Benjamin.
Caleb, your sexual preference is your own. What heterosexuals do not like is that you expect to have preferential treatment “rights”. Define these rights, please. Is it your right to sodomize little boys? Are you a member of NAMBLA? Be very definitive in the so-called rights that you expect us to recognize. As to your right to dignity, that appears to be a personal problem. What you really want is for heterosexuals to accept your lifestyle. Many Christian sects believe that marriage is a union between one man and one woman. Muslims condemn homosexuality and the punishment is death. The expression “live and let live” is obviously not in your playbook. I have witnessed the gay community in America try to destroy the family unit. Are you a Christian or adhere to another belief? I respect and accept people for adhering to the Golden Rule, their character, their honesty and respect for other people. Whether I accept your lifestyle or not , does not mean I would not have respect for you if you had the aforementioned qualities. Do you respect my right to to reject your lifestyle? From past experience, I doubt if you do.