Belize IDAHO Report 2013

“When last did Belize get a Senator, former Foreign Minister, a first lady and two media houses to join on IDAHO Day to express support or solidarity in Belize? Well never.” – United Belize Advocacy Movement (UNIBAM). The Day in Belize also saw a small balloon release action stop traffic, group meetings, various blogs published, and positive television coverage of LGBT people, talking about growing up in Belize.

“Rainbowflash” Balloon Release

Early on Friday May 17, 2013, a small group of activists met to release 50 balloons on a main city street in Belize city. You can see their action here:
https://youtube.com/watch?v=09fWqhuy49U%3Ffeature%3Doembed

Activists Seek to Overturn Sodomy Statute

Amongst the group was LGBT rights advocate, turned national figurehead, Caleb Orozco – widely known for his eponymous involvement in the case, Caleb Orozco v.s the Attorney General. This is a landmark test case through which activists hope to overturn Section 53 of the Belizean Criminal Code, which permits penalization of same sex relationships. The case has attracting massive media coverage and strong opinions in recent months.
As a blogger from Belize explained in a special piece for May 17, “Here in Belize, Caleb Orosco V Attorney General has had Belizeans in an uproar. Clear lines have been drawn. On one side stands UNIBAM and its supporters and on the opposite side stands Belize Action and their supporters. While the judgement won’t be out until July, this case has brought the LGBT issue to the forefront of our minds. Whatever happens and however the judgement goes there’s no more ignoring this issue.”

Special Video Released by Belize’s First Lady

Belize’s Special Envoy for Children and Women – and its Prime Minister’s Wife – Kim Simplis Barrow, released a “powerful and unequivocal” video challenging homophobia & transphobia, especially for May 17, 2013. The video was extremely well circulated and welcomed with enthusiasm by LGBT activists. Many highlighted the apparent distance between her position and that of her husband’s administration. You can see the video here: