Caleb Orosco Says State Failing LGBTQ Community Members

Caleb Orosco

We also heard from Caleb Orosco, the Executive Director of the United Belize Advocacy Movement (UNIBAM). Orosco has been in communication with Castillo since the incident occurred. And, according to Orosco, the behavior displayed by the alleged perpetrators is a reflection of how the state, “gives these kind of people permission to sustain violence on members of the LGBTQ community”.

Caleb Orosco, Executive Director, UNIBAM

“At first instance, according to the victim, these fellas seemed intoxicated and it is that intoxication with seemed to aggravate the situation of intimidation and submission of the victim. Secondly, it was interesting to learn or observe in the video how premeditated their action was with regards to the crash and with regards to finding out later that even after witnesses came out to say that you can’t chance this person, the idea that they found that problematic lets us know that we live in a society where somebody may not insult you directly but they will use machismo spirit or attitude to subjugated you into silence. What went wrong, or rather what went right, is the presumed subjugation of the victim was not automatic, because for the first time in his life the victim stood up for himself in a situation where he was outnumbered and voiced and asserted his right to be treated fairly. But, unfortunately, for that he experienced a beat down like the likes he has never seen before. Why I call this case premeditated is that they actually gone after him a second time. That to me is not only shocking it is also the reflection of how the state gives these kind of people permission to sustain violence on our population and then create a culture of complicity by omission in action indifference in doing nothing. So, what are we suppose to do when we take our statement to the police station and they say here is my number but then you have to take the responsibility and hope that you see the perpetrator that just assaulted you or committed acts of violence against you and tell that police officer they need to be picked up, shame on symbols of the state to have burdened the victim of violence to go after the perpetrator, shame on them. Separately, there is a habit, especially at the San Pedro Police Station where they tell you they are investigating but they do absolutely nothing. They fail to tell you that you have a right to appear at the magistrate to see how the prosecutor is handling the case.”