Lesbiradas
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Lesbiradas is the only public lesbian rights organization in Guatemala. Lesbiradas works towards gaining human rights for lesbians, bisexual women and transgender people. It is run out of Guatemala City and currently has five central organizers. Claudia Acevedo is the co-founder and spokeswoman of Lesbiradas and she conducts interviews and even lectures in the states. Lesbiradads is a play on the Spanish words for 'liberated lesbians' -lesbianas liberadas. The organization was originally called Lesberadads, but was changed to Lesbiradas at the request of bisexual women.
[edit] Direct Action
Lesbiradads works for government reform that addresses the femicide, rape, torture and mutilation of women in Guatemala, all sexual violence and general violence against women, especially violence and discrimination against lesbians in Guatemala.
The organisation also attempts to educate the public using shock, banners and attempts at making themselves visible. They aim to get their society to recognize and accept the existence of non-hetero sexualities, which is difficult in a country that doesn't discuss sexuality.
Lesbiradas also creates support groups and dialog between lesbians, bisexual women and transgender people, from which support and referrals can be attained for those in need, as well as a friendly community. This is much needed by individuals who have been rejected or abused by their family due to their gender, sexual orientation and or gender identity.
[edit] Affiliations
Lesbiradas is affiliated with mostly other feminist and women's rights organizations. There have also been links to other mainly male gay rights groups, but it has been difficult, according to Acevedo in a 2005 lecture, to address the unique intersection of gender on LGBT issues in Guatemala. Relations with the Catholic Church has been impossible and links to Indigenous movements has similarly been very difficult.
