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Costa Rica: A Day of Multi-Coloured Splendor for Gays

by Barbara McPherson | May 16, 2009 at 10:02 am

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Costa Rica is making moves to join 30 other countries in fighting discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. Officially, the government is promoting awareness raising activities, discussion and training events for government employees. The iconic rainbow flag will be raised.

Government institutions and civil society organisations are holding talks, workshops and other activities aimed at raising awareness and overcoming intolerance, in preparation for the National Day Against Homophobia on Sunday in Costa Rica.

President Óscar Arias issued a decree in March 2008 declaring May 17 the national day of fighting discrimination against homosexuals, placing Costa Rica among 30 countries that have officially decided to mark such a day.

Considerable progress has been made over the years in the fight against discrimination based on sexual orientation in this Central American country, but the leader of the Diversity Movement, Abelardo Araya, told IPS that, in spite of these efforts, homophobia still exists. But, Araya said, 'it cannot be compared to how things were 20 years ago,' when homosexuals were persecuted with 'police raids and imprisonment.'

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Rhonda J Mangus

at 14:41 on May 16th, 2009

Thanks for this story, Barbara! Would you mind adding the tag "sexuality" so it will appear on NowPublic's Health/Human Sexuality channel. Thanks!

Jarrett Martineau

at 17:26 on May 16th, 2009

Great news.

Pía (not verified)

at 07:49 on May 18th, 2009

Sí, interesante la ironía de que Arias sea quien decretó el Día Nacional contra la Homofobia, y fue justamente en su primera administración, en los 80s, cuando más se persiguió a la comunidad LGBT.

Pero bueno, en vísperas de elecciones, todos los políticos son filántropos...