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We lead a normal and happy life, with RenČ and Socorroour dog and our cat.
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![]() Jorge López Sologaistoa. E. Sologaistoa Guatemala OCTOBER 30, 2000. Jorge López Sologaistoa is one of a new breed of activists that is changing the face of AIDS and queer organizing in Latin America. From his home, in Guatemala City, he recently drew this portrait of himself and his work, answering questions asked by THE GULLY.
In my daily life, I am just an ordinary computer consultant. I help businesses configure their computer networks, and set up Web sites. In the places I work I am sure some people wonder if I am gay, but don't dare ask me. I am neither interested in hiding my personal life, nor making an issue of it.
Poverty Breeds Violence Domestic violence, in particular, affects many women and children here. But just a moment ago I was watching a TV news report about a man shot dead a few blocks from my home. Violence can be seen every day in the assaults and robberies, the traffic accidents, and, of course, the marked social homophobia and lesbophobia. Personally, I do not feel directly affected by the violence, because I mostly stick to safe places, but I am always on guard.
Officially, We Do Not Exist During the Guatemalan civil war it was much more common to see instances of abuse of power and trampling of the human rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people.
OASIS is one of the few public places where gay men and lesbians can relax from the stress created by social pressures. It is common to see people there hugging and kissing affectionately. Working at OASIS is also satisfying because we can do work that benefits our community. OASIS has been working for seven and a half years now on issues related to the gay and lesbian population in Guatemala. We are fighting against the HIV/AIDS pandemic, which is now reaching frightening levels in our country. After the Caribbean, Central America is emerging as the next HIV/AIDS crisis flashpoint. We feel that it is crucial that we continue working to reduce the impact of the epidemic in our country.
Wigs, Music, Painting With other organizations we carry out joint prevention programs for school kids and training programs for health workers on how to treat sexually transmitted diseases and HIV/AIDS. So far we have managed to operate thanks to the international support we have received. However, those funding sources are drying out all over the world, so we want to learn how to generate our own funding. We feel morally supported by the Guatemala Human Rights Ombudsman, who has been present in activities such as the July 2000 Gay March.
Obstacles and Hopes There is, for example, a National AIDS Program, but that institution constantly blocks the work of the ACSLCS, the umbrella group that coordinates the non-governmental HIV/AIDS organizations in Guatemala. A representative of OASIS currently chairs the ACSLCS. By 2005, I would like to see a drop in the high rates of HIV/AIDS infection and other sexually-transmitted diseases among "men who have sex with men" in Guatemala. I would also like to see an improvement in the quality of life of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender populations, and for them to attain a free and harmonious coexistence with the rest of the Guatemalan population.
Jorge and Vinicio's photo: Gerson Navas. Related links: For a sense of place, see the Lonely Planet's take on Guatemala. For a look at Guatemala's rulers, see John Ward Anderson's Guatemala Swears In New PresidentAdmitted Killer Makes Pledge To Fight Crime in The Washington Post. For the Human Rights Watch report on Guatemala.
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