As you saw in our story, Caleb Orozco of UNIBAM fame was a part of today's protest march.
He was there along with a few other NGO's - but UNIBAM is not just another NGO: It's the organization that specifically defends the rights of Lesbian, Bi-sexual, Gay, and Transgender persons - known collectively as LBGT.
We asked Orozco why they joined in the Dr. Garcia protest:..
Jules Vasquez
"Why are you participating in this event?"
Caleb Orozco
"One of the cases that my organization has always been concern with is crime as it relates as how it impacts LBGT persons in this country. One of the things that has never been discuss in terms of the crime and violence is that gay people as always been a part of the victim who had suffered intensely violent situation."
Jules Vasquez
"All these are known problems you could call in to any talk show and speak about these."
Caleb Orozco
"Well, I don't count talk shows, I appear on them. But more precisely really this is a human element - this is a humanity issue and I don't think any Belizean in this country would disagree that perpetrating violence on any one person is just violence."
Jules Vasquez
"I didn't see you marching when they had the march for the little girl who was killed or other activities for anti-violence. I didn't know UNIBAM - apart of its charter is anti-violence."
Caleb Orozco
"True enough but what you don't know is much of our imploratory participation has been behind the scenes. Believe it or not we've been tracking violence embattling the LBGT population since 1997 and what we know for sure through searching newspaper clippings that there have been 17 violent deaths against gay men in particular."
Marion Ali, LOVE NEWS
"Do you link Dr. Garcia to that?"
Caleb Orozco
"The question whether he is or not we haven't come to that conclusion on that just yet."
Jules Vasquez
"It is your opinion that there is a serial killer or somebody who ritualistically kills gay men out there?"
Caleb Orozco
"We know of 4 of the crimes that have been committed over the years is that there are common patterns."
Following up on his comments, the pro-gay rights We Are One In Dignity and Human Rights Campaign issued a statement today saying, quote, "The We Are One In Dignity and Human Rights Campaign expresses its indignation against the unprosecuted crimes being perpetrated in our country against those vulnerable to violence, such as women, children, and sexual minorities, and LGBT persons."
