Belize Immigration Officer Accused of Homophobia
A Belizean man is publicly accusing a Belizean immigration officer of directing homophobic remarks at him and his boyfriend as they crossed the western border from Belize into Guatemala.
Nuhann Lz, who shared his account on social media, said the experience left him deeply disturbed, noting that immigration officers “interact with people from all walks of life every day and represent Belize to both citizens and visitors alike.”
According to his account, the situation escalated when his sister raised concerns about the officer’s comments. Rather than addressing the complaint, he says the officer responded with further disrespect and threatened to call the police.
“I cannot express how disappointing it is to know that Belize Immigration employs officers who believe it is acceptable to judge, demean, or discriminate against people because of their sexuality,” he wrote. Lz did not share the exact comments.
Nuhann Lz said he has since filed a formal report and that the appropriate authorities are now taking steps to address the matter. “Silence protects the problem; accountability creates change,” he added.
Same-sex sexual activity was decriminalised in Belize in 2016, when the Supreme Court ruled the country’s anti-sodomy law unconstitutional.