Session 2

The main reasons why the LGBTIQ+ population migrates include hate crimes, political violence, and State terrorism. It is necessary to find improvement opportunities and reduce society’s differentiation of communities, including the LGBTIQ+ community.

For example, in spite of the fact that Costa Rica is the only country in the region with equal marriage, the human rights of the LGBTIQ+ community are not always respected and their access to education is more limited. Furthermore, severe migration laws are being created, which is a setback in terms of human rights.

Oftentimes, members of the LGBTIQ+ community are abandoned by their families, as the latter do not accept their true identity. Because of this, some resistance spaces were created, such as Casa Arcoíris (in Tijuana), aiming at including different populations and creating safe places to help them know themselves.

Finally, some actions to be taken are: 1) Promoting leadership actions for the community to assert themselves and for their voices to be heard; 2) Working on mental health, education, and strengthening; and 3) Raising awareness among governments and organizations representing the community.