On 20 July, a still-unidentified person released pepper spray in the men’s bathrooms at a historical trade union hall in Guatemala City. The venue was hosting an anniversary party for a group of transgender rights activists after the city’s 19th annual LGBTIQ+ Pride parade. Two activists, who were in the bathroom at the time, were directly hit by the gas. A number of other people abandoned the party amidst irritation to their eyes and throats.
Three hours later, at 1:15 am, eight armed police officers forced their way into another post-Pride event at the offices of a group that advocates for access to essential medicines for people living with HIV. Without a warrant, they entered the building on the premise that licensing hours for alcohol sales (which don’t apply to private events) end at 1 am. Once inside, witnesses told me, the officers intimidated attendees and pressured organisers to end the party.
“What they were doing was illegal, they were violent and armed with high calibre weapons”, said Aldo Dávila, Guatemala's second openly LBGTIQ+ member of Congress, who was elected in June and will assume office in January. Also a member of the Pride organisational committee, and a former director of the group hosting this party, Dávila was among the crowd that night.
