The Pink Times
Aa
  • Home
  • World News
    • Africa
    • Americas
    • Asia Pacific
    • China
    • Europe
    • India
    • Middle East
    • United Kingdom
    • United States
  • Culture
    • Art
    • Drag
    • Books
    • Entertainment
    • Drag
    • Fashion
    • History
    • Love
    • People
    • PhotographyTrending
    • Religion
  • Politics
    Politics
    Show More
    Top News
    Ron DeSantis: Unyielding Attacks on LGBTQ Rights in Florida
    May 14, 2023
    Uganda Enacts Harsh Anti-LGBTQ Law, Drawing Global Outrage and Potential Sanctions
    May 29, 2023
    Disney Sues Florida Governor Over “Don’t Say Gay” Bill: Will This Hurt DeSantis’ 2024 Presidential Bid?
    April 27, 2023
    Latest News
    Controversial Franklin Mayoral Candidate Conceals Past Legal Troubles
    September 22, 2023
    Trump’s Nonchalant Response to Transgender Question Raises Eyebrows
    September 22, 2023
    Ron DeSantis Trails Trump by Wide Margins in Early Republican Primary Polls
    September 22, 2023
    Disney CEO Addresses Culture War Amid Investment Surge
    September 22, 2023
  • Law
    Law
    Show More
    Top News
    Disney Sues Florida Governor Over “Don’t Say Gay” Bill: Will This Hurt DeSantis’ 2024 Presidential Bid?
    April 27, 2023
    Brooklyn Dancer O’Shea Sibley Fatally Stabbed After Voguing, NYPD’s Hate Crimes Task Force Investigates
    August 2, 2023
    Five dead, 18 injured in shooting at gay nightclub in Colorado, police say
    November 20, 2022
    Latest News
    Iowa Firefighter Dismissed Over Inappropriate Comment in Workplace Ethics Violation
    September 22, 2023
    Ugandan ‘Ex-Gay’ Activist Faces Charges Under Controversial Anti-Homosexuality Law
    September 20, 2023
    Conservative Culture War Targets Drag Performers: Legal Battles and LGBTQ+ Resistance
    September 20, 2023
    Nigeria Court Grants Bail to 69 Arrested in Alleged Same-Sex Wedding Case
    September 20, 2023
  • Health
    Health
    Show More
    Top News
    Florida’s Restrictive Laws Leave Transgender Adults Struggling for Care
    June 5, 2023
    Nebraska Governor Signs Bill Banning Abortion and Gender-Affirming Care for Trans Youth, Amidst Controversy and Lack of Understanding
    May 24, 2023
    South Dakota Governor Signs Bill Banning Gender-Affirming Care for Transgender Youth
    February 14, 2023
    Latest News
    Catalonia Takes Bold Step to Combat Period Poverty
    September 22, 2023
    Former Disney Channel Actor Matthew Scott Montgomery Reveals Shocking Experience with “Conversion Therapy”
    September 20, 2023
    Coroner Highlights Underfunding of Transgender Services in Tragic Case
    September 20, 2023
    Transgender Woman’s Tragic Suicide Exposes Gaps in Gender-Affirming Healthcare
    September 19, 2023
  • Money
    Money
    Show More
    Top News
    Target Adjusts Pride Displays Amid Customer Complaints
    May 24, 2023
    Anheuser-Busch faces backlash over partnership with transgender influencer and Pride-themed Bud Light cans
    April 10, 2023
    Bud Light Defends Trans Influencer Partnership in March Madness Campaign Amid Backlash
    April 16, 2023
    Latest News
    Iceland Supermarket CEO Retracts HIV Needle Attack Claims, Faces Criticism
    September 23, 2023
    Disney CEO Addresses Culture War Amid Investment Surge
    September 22, 2023
    Challenges and Consequences: Bud Light’s Controversial Dive into LGBTQ+ Marketing
    September 20, 2023
    Chick-Fil-A Plans UK Expansion Amidst Past LGBT Controversy
    September 17, 2023
  • Sports
    Sports
    Show More
    Top News
    Australia players call out Qatar on LGBTQ, worker rights
    October 27, 2022
    Qatar World Cup ambassador says homosexuality is ‘damage in the mind’
    November 8, 2022
    Shocking Homophobic Slurs: Top Basketball Coach’s Controversial Radio Interview Exposed
    May 10, 2023
    Latest News
    Wesley Campbell: World-Class Figure Skater and LGBT Icon
    September 23, 2023
    University of Alabama Condemns Racist and Homophobic Slurs Targeting Texas Longhorn Players
    September 19, 2023
    Robbie Manson’s Olympic Journey Continues on OnlyFans
    September 14, 2023
    Is Football Finally Embracing LGBTQ+ Inclusivity?
    September 11, 2023
  • Media
    Media
    Show More
    Top News
    ‘Eternals,’ ‘Mitchells,’ ‘Supergirl,’ ‘Star Trek’ lead GLAAD Awards
    January 23, 2022
    Trans Rights in Peril: RuPaul’s Drag Race Star Issues Urgent Warning
    February 5, 2023
    Iraq Restricts Media Language Pertaining to Sexual Identity
    August 9, 2023
    Latest News
    Florida Governor Ron DeSantis Defends Anti-LGBTQ+ Stance, Blames Media
    September 18, 2023
    Madonna’s Uncompromising Artistic Integrity Shines as Pepsi Revisits Controversial Ad
    September 14, 2023
    Watch: Controversial Rep. George Santos Evades Questions in CNN Interview
    September 14, 2023
    Media Regulators Uphold Accuracy in Labeling Anti-Trans Activist Posie Parker in New Zealand
    September 14, 2023
  • Activism
    Activism
    Show More
    Top News
    Sydney’s WorldPride 2023 Begins with a Bang: Check out the Photos from Mardi Gras Fair Day
    February 19, 2023
    Sydney Opera House Illuminated in Pride Progress Flag for WorldPride 2023
    February 19, 2023
    Thousands join Budapest Pride march against anti-LGBTQ law
    July 27, 2021
    Latest News
    Anti-Trans Rallies Spark LGBTQ+ Counterprotests Across Canada
    September 22, 2023
    Congress Proposes Commission to Examine Legacy of ‘Don’t Ask Don’t Tell’ and Seek Reconciliation in the Military
    September 21, 2023
    San Francisco’s Drag Laureate Takes Center Stage Amidst Rising Anti-LGBTQ+ Legislation
    September 20, 2023
    Changing Tides: LGBTQ+ Progress in Small-Town India
    September 20, 2023
  • Lifestyle
    Lifestyle
    Show More
    Top News
    Club Q in Colorado Springs Announces Plans to Rebuild and Reopen After Shooting Tragedy
    February 14, 2023
    More Britons identify as bisexual than gay or lesbian – survey
    October 9, 2022
    Italy’s Crackdown on LGBT Parents Sparks Outrage Among Rainbow Families
    April 6, 2023
    Latest News
    Anderson Cooper Reflects on Parenthood and Confronting Grief
    September 23, 2023
    LGBTQ+ Couple Inspires Fostering at Taunton Pride
    September 17, 2023
    Lil Nas X’s Guiding Light: How He Empowered His Brother’s Coming Out
    September 14, 2023
    Challenging the ‘Gay Tax’: Fertility Equality for LGBTQ+ Couples in the UK
    September 7, 2023
Reading: Mothers of LGBTQ children join forces in Latin America
Share
Aa
The Pink Times
Search
  • Home
  • World News
    • Africa
    • Americas
    • Asia Pacific
    • China
    • Europe
    • India
    • Middle East
    • United Kingdom
    • United States
  • Culture
    • Art
    • Drag
    • Books
    • Entertainment
    • Drag
    • Fashion
    • History
    • Love
    • People
    • PhotographyTrending
    • Religion
  • Politics
  • Law
  • Health
  • Money
  • Sports
  • Media
  • Activism
  • Lifestyle
Have an existing account? Sign In
Follow US
The Pink Times > World News > Americas > Mothers of LGBTQ children join forces in Latin America
AmericasFamily

Mothers of LGBTQ children join forces in Latin America

The Pink Times
The Pink Times November 22, 2022
Updated 2022/11/22 at 3:02 PM
Share
Members of the Latin American Movement of Mothers of LGTB+ Children pose for a group photo during a march in Buenos Aires Argentina, Saturday, Nov. 5, 2022. The organization, which had its first in-person meeting in Buenos Aires, seeks to help mothers that are dealing with discrimination as a result of their sexually diverse children by uniting them with others who may have lived through a similar experience. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) — Fabu Olmedo is so nervous about clubs and restaurants in Paraguay that before a night out she often contacts one to make sure that she’ll be let in and won’t be attacked or harassed.

Olmedo doesn’t know if she can go out in public safely becauses daily life is hard for transgender people in the capital, Asunción. Now, a new group of allies in Latin America is trying to make life better by changing minds in this socially conservative and often highly religious region.

- Advertisement -
Ad imageAd image

Founded in 2017, the Latin American Movement of Mothers of LGTB+ Children lobbies governments to eliminate prejudical laws and better enforce existing bans on violence and discrimination.

It’s a difficult fight that will require patience and a years of effort but the mothers are working together to help others in their position, and function as a refuge for LGBTQ children whose families are not as supportive.

“It’s all about recognizing the strength and power that we have as mothers to accompany our kids and help other families,” said Alejandra Muñoz, 62, of Mexico City. Her son Manuel came out 11 years ago and suffered so much bullying at school that he spent recesses with the teachers.

“He’s constantly at risk of being yelled at or worse in the street because of his sexuality,” she said.

Olmedo, 28, said that in July she was barred from an Asunción nightclub with her friends.

“Many times they let you in but there are violent people inside,” Olmedo said.

The Latin American Movement of Mothers of LGTB+ Children held its first in-person meeting in early November in Buenos Aires, where they attended the annual massive gay pride march on Nov. 5.

“Our main battle is to make sure our children enjoy the same rights in all of Latin America,” said Patricia Gambetta, 49, the head of the Latin American Movement of Mothers of LGTB+ Children, which has members in 14 countries and the goal of expanding to all the countries in the region.

The work of the mothers is often made more complicated by the enduring power of the Catholic Church, which teaches that gay acts are “intrinsically disordered.” The increasingly popular evangelical faith also often preaches against same-sex relationships.

There are stark differences in the acceptance of sexual minorities across Latin America. Argentina and Uruguay have been regional pioneers in marriage equality and transgender rights. Other countries in the region have yet to institute protections for the LGBTQ population.

Marriage equality became law in all of Mexico’s states last month. Honduras and Paraguay both ban same-sex marriage. In Guatemala, a conservative congress has repeatedly tried to pass legislation that would censor information about LGBTQ people. In Brazil, at the federal and state level there are bills and laws that either ban, or would ban, information about sexual orientation and gender identity, said Cristian González Cabrera, LGBT-rights researcher for Latin America and the Caribbean at Human Rights Watch.

And laws often fail to tell the full story.

“Irrespective of what legal regime a youth finds themselves in, prejudice and discrimination in the region continue to be commonplace,” González Cabrera said.

Vitinia Varela Mora said that her daughter, Ana María, decided to hide her lesbian identity after seeing other gay students bullied at her school in Tilarán, Costa Rica, which is about 124 miles (200km) from the capital, San José. She came out to her mother at 21.

In some countries, mothers who try to help their children deal with discrimination suddenly find themselves the subject of scrutiny.

Claudia Delfín tried to seek help in government offices for her transgender twins, who were facing bullying and discrimination in their school in Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia, when they were 16.

“They told me to go to church and look for a better path. They practically sent me to pray,” Delfín said.

Varela Mora of Costa Rica says it took her around two years to accept her daughter after the girl came out as a lesbian in what hit her mother like “a bucket of cold water.”

“There’s a lack of education, no one prepares you for this,” Varela Mora said. Now she tries to make up for that by supporting other mothers whose children have come out of the closet.

“It’s important for young people to feel they have a mom who understands them when they aren’t supported in their homes,” the 59-year-old woman said.

Groups of LGBTQ parents are “vitally important to show that regressive political projects do not respond to the needs of the region’s diverse communities,” González Cabrera of Human Rights Watch said.

Delfín said that she is one of two mothers in Santa Cruz who are activists fighting for their LGBTQ children. Elena Ramírez, Olmedo’s mom, also says that many trans children who are having trouble at home come to her for refuge.

“I’m a mom to all of them,” Ramírez, 66, said. “I know there are mothers that I will not be able to convince, but there are other children who really are in need.”

Gambetta says that all the mothers in the organization effectively end up training each other in their monthly virtual meetings.

“As mothers we have greater reach, we can raise more awareness,” Gambetta said. “When your family supports you, you’ve already won 99% of the battle.”

TAGGED: Argentina, Honduras, Latin America, marriage, Mexico, Mothers, Paraguay, Parenthood

Join Us!

Subscribe to our newsletter and never miss our latest news, podcasts and more!
Please wait...

Thank you for sign up!

Zero spam, Unsubscribe at any time.
The Pink Times November 22, 2022
Share this Article
Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Whatsapp LinkedIn Tumblr Reddit VKontakte Telegram Email
Share

Latest Articles

Queer Stars Light Up Hallmark’s Christmas Lineup
TV
Colton Underwood Opens Up About His Evolving Sexual Identity
TV
Beyoncé’s Act of Inclusivity Shines in the Spotlight
Music
Loki Season Two Teaser Hints at Time-Bending Adventures and Queer Undertones
TV
Anderson Cooper Reflects on Parenthood and Confronting Grief
Family People

Most Viewed Posts

  • Hot Photos from Paul’s Book “Larrikin Prince” Unleashed
  • A Shift in Perspective: The Art of Male Nude Photography
  • Vintage Nude Mormon Bodybuilders: Unveiling the Forbidden Past of Utah’s Physique Models
  • Hot and Sexy: A Visual Exploration of Masculine Bravado and Regal Splendor
  • The Ginger Sensation of RuPaul’s Drag Race: A Tribute to Bryce Eilenberg
The Pink Times
Follow US

All rights reserved

News. Culture. Tea.

Must-read stories we're talking about across our community. Sign up for The Pink Times newsletter

Please wait...

Thank you for sign up!

Zero spam, Unsubscribe at any time.

Removed from reading list

Undo
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Register Lost your password?