A Sign of Light in an Ocean of Darkness

Being gay is often one of the toughest but most strengthening experiences I am fortunate to have. Often misunderstood and judged negatively, sexuality is innate in one's being. You either love women, or guys, or both if you are bisexual. These things are innate parts of who we are as individuals and not learned preferences or habits. Love, though hard to define, is not defined by gender and knows no bounds. It bothers me personally when people question my understanding of love simply because I happen to be both spiritually and physically attracted to guys. I do not question a heterosexual individual's understanding or experiences or feelings of love simply because he or she likes the opposite sex. Love is love no matter who one feels it for and simply because one happens to love the same sex does not mean that their perception or experience of love is any different from what a man feels when the women of his dreams is walking down the aisle adorned all in white.

Upon arrival in Guatemala City I was struck immediately by the overwhelming presence of these green and white signs posted all across the city on telephone poles, buildings, and traffic signs. The signs read something along the lines of "Eduquelo! El tolerencia y la igualdad de derechos en lugar de trabajo: Homosexualidad, Bisexualidad, Lesbianismo, y Transexualidad."
At the bottom of the sign was the name of a LGBT labor rights organization who stated their objective to be the securing equality of treatment and rights for homosexual, transgendered, and bisexual individuals in the workplace. The plethora of signs and their bold calls for equality were bold stands to take in a primarily strong anti-gay culture. Even in the generally more liberal-ish international metropolis of Guatemala City, the idea that any activists would so clearly and boldly advocate for justice in face of such fierce and violent resistance amazed me. Justin, a fellow Le Moyne student and homosexual friend of mine, and I were simply dumbfounded but excited by this sign of hope.

Activism in Guatemala, regardless of what is being advocated for, has a very real and recent history of violent resistance. The culture sees homosexuality as taboo and though no particular anti-gay laws seems to exist from the little research I have been able to do and observations I have made, the consequences of homosexuality are profoundly negative and most definitely deadly. According to Globalgayz, a site for gay travel, life, culture, and such: Anti-gay motivated violence and murder is so accepted in Guatemala that the existence of any openly gay groups do not exist. Globalgayz and the well known Human Rights Watch organization both report frequently on recent murders, disappearances, and mistreatment of homosexual persons in Guatemala including the murder of two local dancers or drag-queens of Guatemala City over the past decade or so.

The overwhelming number of signs across Guatemala City and the boldness of their message seems to speak to a recent increase in the desire for justice and has kindled my interest in further exploring the Mayan and traditional Guatemalan understandings of homosexual, bisexual, and transgendered individuals. Though the posters spoke primarily of homosexual rights in the workplace the underground movement for homosexual toleration and equality does not end there. This is evidenced in Guatemala City through the continued existence of "Pandora's Box," one of three gay bars located here in Guatemala City. The continued success and survival of these bars acts as the first steps forward in breaking the taboo and injustices related to homosexuality in Guatemala. In a culture where breaking the norm or failing to live up to certain social expectations is often met with death or harsh consequences, gay bars and the presence of a bold gay rights labor organization are a huge targets for violent repression but strong statements in favor of justice and equal rights for all. Beacons of light in a sea of darkness.

Josh K