Belizean LGBT Rights Violations

22nd October, 2011 The mayor has forgotten that The Orange Walk District has many gay voters who have taken notice of his backpeddling on the Peace and Equality Mural. Covering the mural is not only a slap in the face of gay voters in the district, but symbolic of how politicians so easily sweep rights under the cover for any of its citizens. See how on October 11th, Major De la Fuente was support of the Mural through this news coverage covered by PlusTV....see link for video coverage as well. ( http://ambergriscaye.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/418503/Re_Gay_pride_logo_painted_on_O.html ) PLUSTV COVERAGE 11th October, 2011 Just last week, the US Ambassador to Belize, Vinai Thumallapaly, handed over checks to eight organizations who work in some capacity with HIV and AIDS related issues. As we’ve reported, at least two of those organizations are actively promoting the homosexual agenda in Belize and one of them, UNIBAM, is presently challenging the constitutionality of Belize...

October 15th, 2011 Jamaica Observer challenge to constitution by gay activists Wednesday, May 25, 2011 BELMOPAN, Belize (CMC) — The Belize Council of Churches (BCC) has filed an application in the Supreme Court joining the Attorney General's Office in opposing a case brought by the United Belize Advocacy Movement (UNIBAM) that seeks to deny rights to gay people. UNIBAM and its executive president, Caleb Orosco, are challenging Section 53 of the Criminal Code, which states that carnal intercourse against the order of nature is an indictable matter which carries a prison sentence of up to 10 years. UNIBAM is seeking to have the law declared unconstitutional since gays can face prison time for sexual preferences. But the BCC said its motion to argue the validity of the law presents a moral argument despite its origin within the Constitution. "Nobody should be shocked or surprised. The church is the moral authority within the context of the nation and therefore it is the chur...

0ctober 15th, 2011 Once again Plus TV was up to no good as they interviewed Mayor de la fuente who for the first time made broad statements on tolerance in Orange Walk town on the 11th October. Then when loveTV came he sounded like he was backtracking. "To allow jumping jesus freaks" to set our human rights agenda is to facilitate an erosion of our constitution. While was going the National dialogue was taking place to explore the broader agenda of human rights committment. Here are the story and the positive statements made in Orange Walk on Peace and Equality Day October 11th, 2011. Just last week, the US Ambassador to Belize, Vinai Thumallapaly, handed over checks to eight organizations who work in some capacity with HIV and AIDS related issues. As we’ve reported, at least two of those organizations are actively promoting the homosexual agenda in Belize and one of them, UNIBAM, is presently challenging the constitutionality of Belize’s sodomy laws. Well, today, was a si...

October 15th, 2011 The last few weeks have been super busy, in advocacy. In Janelle Chanona stories on LGBT concerns she broaden the discussion from section 53 to myths and misperceptions. Here is a link to the first story while the second story follows. The coverage is channel 7 The Homosexuality Debate in Belize: Should the state legislate morality? posted (July 28, 2011) Homosexuality has always been one of those things that everyone accepts is part of the Belizean society but no one addresses publicly, least of all on a legal or policy level. But the case of the United Belize Advocacy Movement versus the Attorney General of Belize, which is asking for the decriminalization of sodomy, has changed all that. In the build up to the trial, the issue is being discussed in detail in churches, at work, on the streets and in homes across the country. Tonight 7 News correspondent Janelle Chanona presents part one of a documentary on the Belizean reality of homosexuality. Dean Bar...

October 6th, 2011 While I can depend on politician to milk a cow, it is sometimes surprising how rights erosion can take place with such ignorance. It is clear however, the present PM has been responsible about issuing any statements and the PUP have been mum so far. We like the context as it gives our case a chance to go through the courts on its merits. Boots Martinez however, is another story link. http://edition.channel5belize.com/archives/60793

October 6th, 2011 While Belize's case  zoom's to December 5th to 9th, with all affidavits in, Dominica, St. Lucia, Barbados, Trinidad and Antigua have commented on the case thus far. What was interesting in Antigua was that the media comments were far different from the actual position made at the Universal Periodic Review. Here is what the country committed to at the UPR:  At the UPR consideration of Antigua and Barbuda on Tuesday, recommendations relating to sexual orientation and gender identity, including reform of the criminal law, were made by a number of States. Today, the Working Group report came up for adoption, and Antigua and Barbuda gave the following responses: " 67. The following recommendations enjoy the support of Antigua and Barbuda: 67.24 Condemn acts of violence and human rights violations committed against persons because of their sexual orientation or gender identity, and ensure adequate protection for those human rights defenders who work on t...

October 6th, 2011 Just when I thought I saw everything, channel 5 news coverage of our award from the Ambassador Fund was tinged with bias when i was described as " UniBAM Flambouyant front man.. ." Who knew that channel 5 professionalism could fall. A Human Error? we can let this pass. see the news coverage of the event at  http://edition.channel5belize.com/archives/61585

Posted on The Reporter site on 29th April,2011 Posted on this blog: 25th June, 2011 I always love when newspapers misrepresent the facts, but like all things, free speech is free speech. See below the editorial from the reporter: It has to be clear to all that the campaign by unibam to gain legal recognition for homosexuals and lesbians  is  being sponsored by funding from abroad! U nibam has retained the services of two attorneys from abroad who are Queen’s Counsels, and the leader of unibam has admitted that he getting support from the gay organization known as the Human Dignity Trust. Unibam also claims it has the support of the Belize AIDS Commission, which is a government-appointed  civil   body established to  reduce the prevalence  of AIDS in Belize. Some of the people serving on this Commission appear to be sympathetic to unibam ’s cause, though there has been no official pronouncement on this subject. A spokesperson for the ...

Posted on blog: 25th, June, 2011 Posted on the Amandala websited:  10th June,2011   Dear Editor,    To understand the enormity of what Caleb Orosco is asking our Supreme Court to do, you have to know the features of the Belize Constitution, especially its Preamble and its chapter on individual rights and freedoms.   Our Constitution is not unique in admitting the existence of God, but it does so in a simple direct way, giving evidence of the genius of the men who framed it. In paragraph (a) it says that our nation is founded upon principles which acknowledge the supremacy of God.   Paragraph (b) tells Belizeans that we are not just a conglomeration of individuals, but a society which must work for the common good.    Paragraph (c) proclaims that the will of the people is the basis of governance in Belize.    One could have thought that after mentioning those powerful foundational principles contained in (a), (b) and (c) the framers ...