VivirLatino

There are some things Latinos still don’t speak about in public. Some aspects of our daily lives and identities are relegated to dark corners. One Latina in Guatemala is challenging the silence and coming to the U.S. to share her story and struggle. Claudia Acevedo is the co-founder of LESBIRADAS, the only public lesbian organization in Guatemala. She helped create the organization to carve out a women’s only lesbian space in a society where being out is not only considered shameful, it is dangerous. The organization organizes public kiss-ins, counseling, monthly parties for lesbians, advocating for non-discrimination legislation, and work against violence against women regardless of their sexual orientation. Because of her work, Claudia and other members of LESBIRADAS have received serious threats of physical and sexual assault.

The self proclaimed ‘ladina’ (a mixed-race person, Indian, Black, White) and co-mami will not be silenced and will be in the United States to share her experiences and perspective and to raise fund specifically for legislative work LESBIRADAS is currently doing. Claudia will be in NYC on October 21, 6:00pm – 9:00pm at Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Community Center, 208 West 13th St. (between 7th Ave & 8th Ave. Claudia will also be in Amhurst, Massachusetts on Thursday, October 27, at 7:30 pm at Campus Center 904-08, University of Massachusetts Amherst. Her appearances are part of a nation-wide tour sponsored by the Network in Solidarity with the People of Guatemala.

Via / Idealist.org