Recognizing International Day Against Homophobia/Transphobia

Did you know that today is recognized as the International Day against Homophobia, Trans-phobia and Bi-phobia? Over one hundred and thirty countries worldwide commemorate, even though more than quarter still criminalize same-sex acts. The day is used to celebrate sexual and gender diversity and to condemn the discrimination, violence, and stigma against members of the L.G.B.T. community in Belize and globally. Managing Director of Our Circle, Derricia Castillo told News Five today that the L.G.B.T. community has made invaluable contributions to Belize. While strives have been made in terms of inclusivity, there is more work to be done.

Derricia Castillo

Derricia Castillo, Managing Director, Our Circle

“It is actually an opportunity for the community, for the policymakers, the gatekeepers to take the timeout to reflect on the progress that has been made towards accepting and creating the inclusion of persons based on their sexual orientation, gender identity and expression. We’ve seen here in Belize and we must acknowledge that there has been small steps that have been made in creating a Belize that is free and equal for everyone. But we must also acknowledge that there is more work that needs to be done. It is very interesting that the census 2022 is rolling out. I think it rolled out last week and it ties into the I.D.A.H.O.T.B. theme which is “Our Bodies, Our Lives and Our Rights” and this is very important because we are at a point where we see Belize has made a big step in allowing L.G.B.T.-led households to be documented for the first time in the census. So for us, this is something very big that we are looking forward to and we must give acknowledgement where it is due that a national effort is being made to be able to capture such a data. And for understanding the history of the L.G.B.T. movement, we know that it was data that took the terminology homosexual out of the definition of being a disease. So we usually associate the LGBT issues to the health sector but there is a lot especially when it comes to the workplace.”

The theme for International Day Against Homophobia, Trans-phobia and Bi-phobia 2022 is “Our Bodies, Our Lives, Our Rights.”