Supporting LGBTQ+ Organizations in Central America

 March 24, 2022

LGBTQ+ people in Central America are often at heightened risk of violence and discrimination, and thousands have fled their home countries in search of international protection. While the United States remains a major destination for displaced LGBTQ+ people, increasingly, LGBTQ+ people on the move are heading to countries in Central America to seek protection. Protection systems in the region are improving but need strengthening. LGBTQ+-led organizations in Central America are critical leaders in that work.

Refugees International and IRCA Casabierta hosted an event bringing together LGBTQ+ leaders from Central America to discuss the challenges and opportunities in providing services to displaced LGBTQ+ people and how the Biden administration and regional governments can support their efforts. This event builds on Refugees International and IRCA Casabierta’s January report on, “Networks of Care for Displaced LGBTQ+ People: How the United States Can Support LGBTQ+-led Organizations in Central America and Mexico.” 

The event was hosted in Spanish with simultaneous interpretation into English. 

Moderator

Rachel Schmidtke, Advocate for Latin America at Refugees International

Speakers

Alex Castillo, Co-founder at H Trans, Guatemala

Dennis Castillo Fuentes, Executive Director at IRCA CASABIERTA, Costa Rica

Dunia Orellana, Director at Reportar Sin Miedo, Honduras