The United Belize Advocacy Movement (UNIBAM), the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender advocacy organization has taken its case to the court to have section fifty-three to be amended to legalize consensual sex between two adults of the same sex. UNIBAM and the gender policy, which supports other genders outside the male and female equation, have […]
Chief Justice Kenneth Benjamin is yet to rule on the UNIBAM challenge to amend the Criminal Code, but there is another case that the government will answer to. A gay Jamaican activist, Maurice Tomlinson, is challenging Belize’s Immigration Act. Section Five of the Act states that prohibited immigrants include, (Quote) “Any prostitute or homosexual who […]
The recent termination of a pair of prison officers from the Kolbe Foundation has once again brought into sharp focus security concerns at the Belize Central Prison. While the unofficial account by Gaspar Camara and Felipe Gongora is that they were released following an incident involving the attempted rape of a female co-worker by a […]
The pro-constitution anti-gender policy crusaders who have gone on countrywide tour have stated publicly that they hate the sin and not the sinner where homosexuality is concerned. But during the march in Toledo, one prominent feature was an effigy labeled UNIBAM hanging from a noose, and that has drawn sharp condemnation and criticism. One of […]
There have been pro-constitution, anti-gender and homosexuality marches as well as protests in Orange Walk, Toledo and Cayo. They’ve been organized by local evangelical churches in those areas with help and support from organizations like Belize Action and Belize Can. The purpose has been to send a message to the powers that be in Belmopan […]
There is some confusion right now surrounding the pro-constitution rallies and anti-gender policy protests being held across the country. The evangelical associations and other affiliated organizations are moving ahead full steam with sirens blazing, while the more established Council of Churches seems to be taking the diplomatic and more circuitous route. Only time will tell […]
The recently established Ariel Rosado Foundation stepped up to the plate in a big way this morning. The foundation has managed to provide fifteen new scholarships to deserving students while at the same time, eleven students who were recipients last year received tuition fees for another school year. The foundation was established in the name […]
In Orange Walk the Association of Evangelical Pastors and Churches, Belize Can and Belize Action mustered about two hundred anti-gender policy protesters. But in Toledo today, they came out in the thousands. The demonstration, dubbed a pro-constitution rally by church organizers, started off at eight this morning at Silver Creek. Media reports from down south […]
The Christian anti-gay movement has gone on tour of the country to promote the message that persons who are lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender should not enjoy the same rights as heterosexual men and women. The movement gained some momentum when LGBT poster boy Caleb Orozco took on the Attorney-General in a legal battle to […]
The academic calendar for 2012 concludes at the end of the month for primary schools across the country. While most students will be on summer vacation, social activist Moses Sulph has wasted no time in planning ahead. Realizing that there is an overwhelming number of needy children enrolled at the primary and secondary levels, Sulph […]
The top brass of the Belize Police Department converged at the Police Training Academy as ComPol Allen Whylie presented the latest crime statistics for 2013 up to the end of May. Major crime, particularly murders have decreased since the start of the year. Mike Rudon reports on the department’s initiatives that appear to have limited […]
Church leaders of the Belmopan area met this morning with Prime Minister Dean Barrow in his Belmopan office. There were seven representatives from the churches and the PM’s team included Area Representative John Saldivar. The churches want the recently launched gender policy to be revisited and the Prime Minister has said he is not budging […]
While the Council of Churches is yet to meet with P.M. Barrow to express its views on the inclusion of the term sexual orientation in the Revised Gender Policy, the alliance of regional church leaders representing the Cayo District says it has sought advice from lawyers, teachers and sociologists on the possible far-reaching effects of […]
May 2013 has probably generated more interest and controversy in the Government’s gender policy than in all the years combined since its first issue. Mired with controversy over definitions of sexual orientation, gender and gender equality, it also had passages about the possible legalization of prostitution while offering no clues about one passage that spoke […]
Since the media had access to the Prime Minister at the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital, after the conference all hot button issues were raised with him. First on the agenda was the Gender Policy that was the product of the Women’s Commission. The policy spoke about the legalization of prostitution and spoke of respect for […]
The Revised Gender Policy 2013 was released on May sixteenth. The policy was the product of the Women’s Commission of Belize and considered progressive because it surpassed the Caribbean’s response to several issues that are objectionable to church and the law. It is so controversial it has prompted two retractions or clarifications in one day. […]
The location, frequency and body count combined form important data for the police department’s major crime statistics. Those statistics are used to determine which areas would be deemed Crime Ridden Areas, gang related and in need of additional police support. The analysis has become more advanced and according to Assistant Commissioner of Police and Head […]
With the Easter holidays upon us, the Police Department embarked today on a community outreach program in the City’s hot spots to keep criminals at bay. The department hopes that building relations will assist with crime prevention and ultimately lead to safer communities. Police were on the beat in two neighborhoods earlier today and News […]
In the region Belize is among the countries with the highest cases of AIDS. To bring the numbers down, a mass media campaign was launched today targeting youths to make positive choices in respect of their sexual reproductive health. The campaign is being organized by the National committee for families and children and the United […]
The 2013 Human Development Report was launched in Mexico City on Thursday. The study which extended to one hundred and eighty- seven countries looked at the levels of longevity, education and income. Narrowing it down to our region, the report found that by 2030 Latin America and the Caribbean will be home to one in […]
2012 ended as the most murderous year in Belize with a hundred and forty-five murders recorded. The statistics for the first two months of this year have been released and while some crimes have decreased, the murder rate continues to paint a grim picture in particular in Belize City. In January 2012 the number of […]
Seventy percent of the population is under the age of thirty five which means Belize is a young society. Perhaps that is why youths, with the assistance of UNICEF and NGOs, have developed their own policy. It was compiled into a document called the National Youth Development Policy of Belize 2012-2022. The policy’s commitment gives […]
Computer skills are a must have in today’s work or school environment. If you have been left behind or simply want to acquire the know- how, Restore Belize in collaboration with the Embassy of Taiwan has launched a computer literacy program. The program is inclusive of all ages and participants simply have to have the […]
There was a celebration at St. Martin de Porres Primary School in Belize City this afternoon. The student body gathered in front of the primary school on Partridge Street awaiting their Pastor Father Matt Ruhl. The Jesuit priest returned to a hero’s welcome as he set out thirteen days ago to march for peace. His […]
Regardless of creed, gender, religion or race; everyone has potential—and it is up to you to know and acquire your full potential. That is the message which the Motivational Missionaries Tour Belize 2013 is instilling in Belizeans from all walks of life. Over the course of this week, Bert Oliva and Robin Korth, also known […]
