STATEMENT OF THE INTERNATIONAL MAYAN LEAGUE
ON INDIGENOUS SEXUAL DIVERSITY IN ABIAYALA

Since 2017, the International Mayan League has seen how discrimination, persecution, criminalization and murders of members of the LGBTQ2s+ and specifically Indigenous peoples have increased in Guatemala. Because of this, many people  are forced to migrate to the United States and survive in other latitudes. Such processes have also involved situations of vulnerability and danger given the lack of access to resources and support.

In April 2017, the Guatemalan Congress approved "Initiative 5272", or “The Life and Family Protection Law". This legislative measure prohibits same-sex marriage, and carries the danger of inciting hatred and discrimination against people with non-heteronormative sexual identities. 

 Jordán Rodas, of the Human Rights Ombudsman's Office (PDH), and human rights defender, indicated that law 5272 represents a "setback for freedom" and violates the human rights of people with diverse sexual identities. However, for his courage in defying the state, Rodas has had to leave the country. 

 Since 2020, with the COVID-19 pandemic, Indigenous migrants from the LGTBS2+ community have been increasing, settling in states such as Virginia. The Mayan League has been aware of the situation of LGBTQ2s+ migrant relatives. To address their trauma, the International Mayan League has been providing support through cultural accompaniment, interpretation, as well as developing workshops on sexual diversity in Abiayala (October 22, 2022) to generate awareness and alliances among community members. 

Source of data and dates:https://www.bbc.com/mundo/noticias-america-latina-60677336 

English Statement: STATEMENT OF THE INTERNATIONAL MAYAN LEAGUE ON INDIGENOUS SEXUAL DIVERSITY IN ABIAYALA

Spanish Statement: DECLARACIÓN DE LA LIGA MAYA INTERNACIONAL SOBRE LA DIVERSIDAD SEXUAL INDÍGENA EN ABIAYALA