International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia Commemorated May 17th, 2011

International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia

In 1973, the American Psychiatric Association removed homosexuality as a mental illness. On May 17th, 1990 the World Health Organization declared that “Homosexuality was not a disease.” The declaration date is now commemorated as the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia.

Homophobia and Transphobia is about an extreme and irrational aversion to gay man and Transgender persons. These issues remains invisible for the society, because it is assumes gay and transgender individuals are not assaulted, abused or arrested indiscriminately as a matter of state policy.

The case of Jose Garcia in 2009 highlights how discrimination can occur. The recent experience of another Belizean, Mia Quetzal, in Trinidad highlights, how symbols of the state can abuse their authority. Preliminary results from a transgender study in Belize done by The Caribbean Trans in Action (CRTA), tells us that 78% of trans people do not believe the laws protect them and close to 90% of men who have sex with men population from a field data report collected by UNIBAM in 2010-11, did not believe they could trust law enforcement to provide equal treatment under the law. State policy does not officially oppress, but in practice, a minority of state symbols has had a history of abusing their authority in the name of the state against LGBT persons knowing that the individual would not formally complaint.

Homophobia and Transphobia, is usually experience more intimately, in verbal abuse among peers, intimidation by neighbors, threats of violence in simply taking a seat on a bus, co-workers and family members isolation, denial of shelter, employment and lost of education. These experiences go unnoticed, because it is not reported.

The pass media editorials and articles have sought to perpetuate fear-mongering, rather than to educate. It is time for a change. As Belizeans we demand equal protection, and fair treatment. This is not controversial as Belizean lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender have the same expectations. When a LGBT person cannot get a job, walk on the street and get an education this is not controversial for we all expect the same thing. We are one in human dignity and rights.

BWS - Public Notice!!

Water Supply restrictions in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye

In response to queries regarding the low water pressure being experienced by residents in South Ambergris Caye, BWS has issued the following statement:

"Belize City, Belize. March 31, 2010: Water Supply restrictions in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye Over the last 10 days, BWS has not been receiving adequate supplies of water from Consolidated Water Belize Ltd (CWBL), the private company that operates the Reverse Osmosis Water Treatment Plant on San Pedro, Ambergris Caye. BWS has been informed by CWBL that they have not been able to run the plant at normal capacity as they have been experiencing unusual matter clogging the filter membranes of the plant. CWBL further informed that they have not been able to clean membranes of this matter and that they have rapidly used up all their available spare membranes and have had to order additional membranes. CWBL is hopeful of having these additional membranes in country by tomorrow, Thursday April 1, 2010 in order to maintain adequate water production. BWS has been coordinating with CWBL over the last few days to try to maintain adequate storage to help meet the water demand over the Easter Weekend; unfortunately, it now appears that we may not be able to do so. BWS hereby informs residents and visitors to San Pedro that, should the available supply continue to diminish, the company will have no choice but to restrict or ration water over the Easter Weekend. For health and sanitary reasons, BWS will attempt to keep any required water rationing restrictions to no more than a few hours at a time. BWS reassures the public that the company has conducted tests on the water being supplied and confirms that the water is potable and safe for use. BWS has also informed the relevant regulatory authorities and the San Pedro Town Council of the water supply situation. BWS extends apologies to San Pedro residents and visitors for any inconvenience that any necessary water supply restrictions may cause. Belize Water Services Ltd. is committed to providing the best and most reliable service to all customers across the country. Belize Water Services Ltd. – Delivering water and more… For more information regarding this or any other BWS Press Release, please contact

Mr. Haydon Brown at Tel: 222-4757 Ext. 234 or via e-mail at haydon.brown@bwsl.com.bz"