{"id":5844,"date":"2019-09-11T11:28:36","date_gmt":"2019-09-11T19:28:36","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.entremundos.org\/revista\/?p=5844&lang=en"},"modified":"2019-11-24T20:43:34","modified_gmt":"2019-11-25T04:43:34","slug":"supporting-diversity-lgbt-organizations","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.entremundos.org\/revista\/health\/supporting-diversity-lgbt-organizations\/?lang=en","title":{"rendered":"Supporting Diversity: LGBT Organizations"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"\"<\/a>
Photo: Vidas Paralelas.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Historically, the LGTB movement has encountered an environment of violence and exclusion, consequently has been motivated to organize into a movement which struggles for and defends human rights of sexually diverse people.\u00a0 Although a majority in society dismisses them and they receive little support from the government and public institutions in Guatemala, they have organized themselves into a variety of groups and have been successful in gaining significant change not only in the lives of their members but also, in the lives of others who are sexually diverse.<\/p>\n

Having the support of LGTB institutions, associations, groups, and collectives, not only has given visibility to the existence of these LGTB communities but also provides essential gathering places for LGTB individuals\u2014spaces for self-reflection and analysis, mutual support from a place of defending diversity.\u00a0 The work of these groups is fundamental to transforming a conservative, homophobic system which keeps LGTBI people excluded from the mainstream.\u00a0 Several of these organizations work in this area, and as EntreMundos does, it has compiled a description of some of them.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Photo: Kajib Kawoq.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Guatemalan Visibility Movement (Movimiento Guatemalteco Visibles) is an organization highly experienced in the promotion of health.\u00a0 In 2018 they presented a series of forums and presentations providing a look at the history of the LGTB movement in Guatemala.\u00a0 They began raising funds dedicated to providing comprehensive attention to and work in the area of HIV prevention in the LGTB community, and over time, have integrated other comprehensive services such as attending to people living with AIDS and other health problems, psychological and legal support services, support with immigration issues.\u00a0 And they have provided support around immigration issues, community participation and attempts to change societal attitudes.\u00a0 The group operates out of the capital, Guatemala City.<\/p>\n

Parallel Lives (Vidas Paralelas) is an organization in Quetzaltenango.\u00a0 Its members are activists for social change and are recognized nationally and internationally for their struggle for lesbian and bisexual people\u2019s rights and their representation in the struggle for human rights.\u00a0 They strategically promote proposals and alliances for decision-making favorable to lesbians and bi-sexual people through supporting participation in political action, efforts to influence change and through legal representation utilizing a team dedicated to respecting human rights and gender equality.\u00a0 This same organization currently is developing self-help programs focusing on strengthening networking and emotional support for the sexually diverse community.\u00a0 Similarly Vidas Paralelas carries out activities like their participation this year in the Pride march with slogans such as \u201cI Exist.\u00a0 I Resist.\u00a0 I Celebrate Myself.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Photo: Grupo de Apoyo Xela.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Another organization, el Grupo de Apoyo\u2014Xela or GAX (Support Group in Xela) made up mostly of local LGTB youth came about in 2011.\u00a0 It is on a quest for a more just and egalitarian world with equal opportunities for youth in general, working against discrimination of any kind and promoting enjoyment of equal rights by everyone.\u00a0 It serves Quetzaltenango, Colomba Costa Cuca, Coatepeque, Flores Costa Cuca, G\u00e9nova Costa Cuca.\u00a0 They offer comprehensive educational services in the areas of reducing stigma and discrimination, human rights and sexually-transmitted illness, HIV and advanced stages of HIV, security for the LGTB community, empowerment of the people, a culture of peace during electoral processes, access to jobs, local and municipal campaigns and local volunteer work.<\/p>\n

Kajib Kawoq 4 Guardianes is an organization of both indigenous and non-indigenous LGTB people from the western part of Guatemala promoting culture and encouraging respect for both art and technology in order to gain self-sufficiency which guarantees life with dignity. Among its services and activities are:\u00a0 comprehensive healthcare, artistic and cultural expression particular to the cosmic system of the Maya K\u2019iche people.\u00a0 They also develop introductory language learning opportunities in K\u2019iche.\u00a0 And they create cultural activities which provide opportunities for first hand, up close experiences with the Mayan cosmic world view.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Photo: Asociaci\u00f3n IDSO.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

La Iniciativa por la Diversidad Sexual de Occidente (IDSO)\u00a0\u00a0 or The Western Initiative for Sexual Diversity is an organization in the west of Guatemala which looks toward building a more just society, free from stigma and discrimination.\u00a0 They carry out actions for political change, defend human rights, and work for comprehensive healthcare, community participation, management and sustainability for a wide range of developments supporting sexual diversity and other vulnerable groups in the western region.\u00a0\u00a0 Additionally, they offer volunteer opportunities, political activity and human rights work and opportunities for making a difference.\u00a0 They arrange for art workshops, meetings about communal living, coordination of volunteers, festivals and cultural activities, information fairs on human rights and other workshops for learning.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Photo: Asociaci\u00f3n Casa de Colores<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Casa de Colores or House of Colors is in the Department of Retalhuleu.\u00a0 Jorge Marotta, its founder, defines the organization as young volunteers who have been working since 2015 out of love for their fellow human beings trying to find a way to guarantee human rights and dignity of LGTB individuals and vulnerable groups.\u00a0 They work throughout the department of Retalhuleu and in the southwest of Guatemala where they provide a volunteer program trying to make a difference through talks in the schools about human rights, sex education, HIV and nutrition.\u00a0 They have participated in marches, events celebrating the beauty of sexual diversity, testing for HIV, food donation campaigns and running a solidarity dining hall that approximately 30 people utilize daily.<\/p>\n

House of Colors\u2019 work with public servants has been a fundamental focus, specifically, its promotion and defense of human rights for the LGTB community.\u00a0 Some of the institutions with which it has coordinated its efforts are the National Civil Police, Tourism Police, Attorney General\u2019s office for Human Rights.\u00a0 Jhonatan Elias, member of the Casa de Colores says,\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cIn reality, the experience I have experienced has been significantly gratifying.\u00a0 I used to feel very alone, thinking I was the only one who was like this.\u00a0\u00a0 I was afraid to think differently and I was mentally closed . . . until I began to have LGBT friends which made me feel freer and it opened me up, helping me leave behind prejudice, but more than anything, loving myself, accepting who I am.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Photo: Fundaci\u00f3n Arcoiris.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Finally, Fundaci\u00f3n Arcoiris, or Rainbow Foundation is a foundation that has been actively promoting human rights for the last 15 years, we work for political change and we organize LGTB beauty events in Quetzaltenango.\u00a0 According to Paolo Rebuli, founder of the group, these beauty pageants are the principal method of self-sustainability.\u00a0 They sponsor safe sex and reproductive health information, talks in institutions, groups dealing with HIV prevention, HIV and syphilis testing free of charge.\u00a0 The organization also has volunteer opportunities.\u00a0 We have offered financial assistance programs with international supportive funding and currently we are coordinating a project for the prevention of prostitution and human trafficking.<\/p>\n

How to be in touch with these organizations:<\/p>\n

Fundaci\u00f3n Arcoiris –Look for Fundaci\u00f3n Arcoiris in FB at their page Arcoiris Xela.\u00a0 Or in other social media outlets:\u00a0 telephone: 502 4907 2276 or 4846 2367\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 email: arcoiris_quetzaltenango@ hotmail.com Instagram: Fundaci\u00f3n arco\u00edris\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Twitter: Fundaci\u00f3n arco\u00edris<\/p>\n

Casa de Colores –Look for Casa de Colores in FB by searching Casa de colores. Email: accreu16@gmail.com. Telephone: 502 42833796 and their office location: 4th avenida C 2-61 zona 1 Retalhuleu<\/p>\n

Vidas Paralelas –Look for Vidas Paralelas in FB\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 telephone: 502 3080 6259\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 email: info@ vdsparalelas.org and in their website: https:\/\/www.vdsparalelas.org\/<\/p>\n

GAX –Look for Grupo de Apoyo Xela in FB or telephone: 502 5754 6059\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 email:\u00a0 grupoapoyogax@gmail.com or in their offices located at\u00a0 2nd Calle 14a-31 zona 1, Quetzaltenango<\/p>\n

Kajib Kawoq Cuatro Guardianes — Kajib Kawoq can be found in FB\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 telephone: 502 4270 559 or at their webpage www.cuatroguardianes.org.gt\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 and in their offices at 7th Avenida 6-68 zona 1 Quetzaltenango.<\/p>\n

IDSO –Look for Asociaci\u00f3n IDSO FB page and FB personal profile, tel\u00e9fono 502 5543 1057, email: idsoxela@hotmail.com<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Historically, the LGTB movement has encountered an environment of violence and exclusion, consequently has been motivated to organize into a movement which struggles for and defends human rights of sexually diverse people.\u00a0 Although a majority in society dismisses them and they receive little support from the government and public institutions in Guatemala, they have organized […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":5876,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_exactmetrics_skip_tracking":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_active":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_note":"","_exactmetrics_sitenote_category":0,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[429,455,1806,438],"tags":[1826,1827,1825],"class_list":["post-5844","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-health","category-pagetwo-en","category-social-situation","category-youth","tag-lgbt-community","tag-lgbt-health","tag-lgbt-support"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.entremundos.org\/revista\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/dscn1838-1-e1568740392348.jpg?fit=2900%2C4034&ssl=1","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p7ljt7-1wg","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":5497,"url":"https:\/\/www.entremundos.org\/revista\/politics\/community-action-en-2\/defending-human-rights-of-indigenous-lgtb-people\/?lang=en","url_meta":{"origin":5844,"position":0},"title":"Defending Human Rights of Indigenous LGTB people","author":"EntreMundos","date":"17 mayo, 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"By Asociaci\u00f3n Kajib Kawoq In 1999, various young gay Quetzaltecans met with the desire to host an event that would identify them as native peoples and represent their K\u2019iche\u2019 Mayan cultural identity. 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