LGBTQ+ Leaders in the Caribbean: The Cases of Dania Polo, Franklin Pabon & Alfredo Arrieto.

LGBTQ+ leaders Dania Polo and Franklin Pabón were both murdered in 2023, highlighting the continued threats faced by LGBTQ+ activists in Colombia's Caribbean region.

*Article written by Mariana Benavides, Valeria Morales & Lucas Parra.

When it comes to LGBTQ+ rights and social leaders, many Latin American countries, such as Colombia, have a complicated and diverse past. Efforts to address these issues and create a more inclusive environment for this community have been a huge endeavor in Colombia, requiring the time and efforts of dedicated leaders and activists. The role of social leaders within the LGBTQ+ community has been critical in driving development, and social campaigns have contributed to raise awareness of the impact that minority communities have in every society. However, it has not been without difficulties. As stated by the LGBTQ+ rights organization Caribe Afirmativo, many social leaders representing this community have suffered several difficulties in their quest for acceptance in Colombian society. Colombia, to a certain extent, is a socially conservative country, and many of the leading political movements have close ties to religious groups or other conservative minded entities that are resistant to embracing acceptance of this community. This means that activists and leaders cannot count on the same level of political and societal support as they may in other countries. Furthermore, Colombia in general is a dangerous context for any activists and leaders who are seeking to challenge the status quo in their quest for equality. Since 2016, over 1,500 social leaders and activists have been murdered in Colombia (Indepaz, 2023). Within this figure, there are of course several examples of leaders who have been murdered for their activism on behalf of the LGBTQ+ community. This article will explore this issue by examining three cases of LGBTQ+ leaders who were murdered in the Caribbean region of Colombia; Dania Sharith Polo, Franklin Pabón and Alfredo Arrieto, all murdered during 2023. By focusing on these tragic cases, we wish to highlight the critical contributions of social leaders in the continuous fight for equality and acceptance, and the fact that there are so many challenges to overcome and measures that governments must implement in response to this worrying current reality.

Dania Sharith Polo, "La Pola”, was born and raised in El Carmen de Bolivar, in the Montes de María region. She was an Afro-descendant Human Rights defender, transexual leader, victim of the armed conflict, and an active participant of peace-building structures. Dania loved speaking openly and without judgment. She always looked happy, smiling in photos with her frizzy hair, earrings and makeup, despite the fact she lived amidst poverty and marginalization. Dania had a big heart; she was welcoming and sheltered her friends in transition in her home and even when she did not have enough to eat, she would share what she had with them. In 2020, the LGBTQ+ population of El Carmen de Bolívar was recognized by the Victims Unit as a subject of collective reparation. Dania provided testimony before the Truth Commission and the Special Jurisdiction for Peace (JEP) with the aim of advancing justice and reparations for the LGBTQ+ community in the municipality of Carmen de Bolívar for the historical abuse that this community had suffered during the most intense years of the armed conflict. Her work focused on defending the rights of people with diverse sexual orientation and gender identity. Dania was clearly a hugely significant figure for her immediate community and also a dynamic peacebuilder. However, earlier this year (2023), on April 30th, she was violently attacked in her home. Dania fought for her life during 12 days in the hospital, but the gunshot wounds she had received were too severe. She died on May 12th, 2023. In March, the leader had reported the distribution of intimidating leaflets directed at the varied community of that town, purportedly by the 'Gulf Clan', also known as the AGC (Autodefensas Gaitanistas de Colombia), an illegal organization which sprouted from the demobilized AUC right-wing paramilitaries. It seems speaking up and demanding the respect her community is entitled to had cost her her life.

The shocking murder of Dania Sharith Polo reopened many of the wounds of the LGBTQ+ community in the region of Montes de Maria. According to the Truth Commission's final report (2022), in the year 2000, at the height of the internal armed conflict involving left-wing guerrillas, right-wing paramilitaries and various state entities, an LGBTQ+ collective was established in El Carmen de Bolívar and began to become visible, meeting in parks and plazas. However, this group and their actions were not welcomed by everyone. The following year they became victims of members of the AUC right-wing paramilitaries and the police. They were attacked in the community and even within National Police facilities. Arbitrary detentions were carried out, which in many cases were subsequently aggravated by claims of rape and violence. Some trans women were treated barbarically and there were many human rights violations. The paramilitaries would come to their houses and force them to serve them, wash their belongings and find them female friends for their sexual pleasure. In other cases, they were intercepted in the streets, raped and forced to commit sexual acts. There were also cases of discrimination, where the LGBTQ+ community was forced to leave their jobs and move. Leaflets with the names of members of the community inside a coffin provoked fear throughout the territory. The LGBTQ+ community in the Montes de Maria region faced sexual violence, torture, threat, displacements, arbitrary detentions, attempts of homicide, and attacks on freedom of association. Why did society allow this? The Truth Commission report (2022) recognizes some explanatory factors for the persecution of LGBTQ+ people in the context of the armed conflict: colonial heritage, sociocultural, institutional and political factors among others. Twenty years on from these shocking and violent accounts at the height of the armed conflict, many of these factors are still sadly relevant. Many people are still rooted in traditional roles, Colombian society is still very “machista” regarding traditional gender roles, and such a reality is reflected in its deliberate silence in relation to cases such as Dania's. Sadly, the reality faced by the LGBTQ+ community in areas such as Montes de Maria, and by leaders like Dania, is replicated in many other parts of the Caribbean region.

Another such example is the case of Franklin Pabon. Franklin was a person with non-binary trans life experience who carried out leadership activities in the municipality of Malambo, in the department of Atlántico. From early on, they served as LGBTQ+ liaison and had been part of the Malambo Territorial Council for Peace, Reconciliation and Coexistence. In terms of academic background, Franklin was trained on social leadership issues at the Casa Caribe de Soledad Leadership School, where they stood out for their joy, camaraderie, and tireless work in order to raise awareness of the importance of guaranteeing LGBTQ+ rights. It is pertinent to say that Franklin also carried out fundamental work in the department of Atlántico with a commitment to inclusion and vindication of the rights of people with diverse sexual orientations and gender identities. Additionally, they assisted all of the people in their territories, for the construction of peace and memory in the department of Atlantico. The main reason for Franklin to be motivated on this topic is due to the lack of acceptance across society in relation to minorities, especially when it comes to the LGBTQ+ community. Even though in 2022, Franklin had received threats in a pamphlet, allegedly from the AGC, these warnings were not heeded by authorities, resulting in the murder of Franklin on July 13th of 2023, in their hometown, Malambo. Another case to mention is that of Alfredo Arrieta, a LGBTQ+ leader in the department of Sucre, who was murdered on January 25th of 2023. Alfredo was acknowledged for serving as director of the Manglaria Diversa Foundation, an organization that works for the rights of the LGBTQ+ community in a region that like the Montes de María suffered greatly due to armed conflict. Over the years, Alfredo promoted human rights for the LGBTQ+ community, a hugely necessary task given the historic marginalization and stigmatization faced by this community. It is essential to affirm that Alfredo was allied to the organization, Caribe Afirmativo, with whom he worked hand in hand during the first years of the consolidation of the Human Rights Observatory. Unfortunately, witnesses and authorities indicate that the murder occurred inside Alfredo's home, in Cienaguita, where he was shot dead. In conclusion, Arrieta's and Pabon´s murders must be seen as acts of homophobic violence that shocked the LGBTQ+ community not only in Sucre and in Atlantico but in the entire country. Thus, Caribe Afirmativo denounced the crime as an attack on the human rights of LGBTQ+ people and demanded that the authorities investigate the case and bring those responsible to justice.

As mentioned above, these cases illustrate the constant violation of the human rights of LGBTQ+ and transgender leaders in Colombia. For this reason, it is vital to see how organizations such as Human Rights Watch and the UN have expressed concern about violence towards these leaders in Colombia. In a 2022 report, Human Rights Watch pointed out that LGBTQ+ social leaders are "especially vulnerable to violence" because of their gender identity or sexual orientation. The report concluded that threats, harassment, and murder are common forms of violence against LGBTQ+ leaders. The UN has also expressed concern about violence against social leaders representing this community in Colombia. In a 2020 report, the UN noted that violence against LGBTQ+ social leaders is "a form of discrimination and violence based on sexual orientation and gender identity." The report urged the Colombian government to take measures to protect LGBTQ+ social leaders from violence. In this regard, the Colombian government has taken certain measures to address violence against these leaders. However, these measures have not been sufficient to protect individuals from violence. Some of the measures requested by Human Rights Watch and the UN to protect LGTBQ+ leaders are: (I) To effectively investigate and prosecute cases of violence against LGBTQ+ social leaders; (II) To provide protection to leaders who are at risk of violence; and as a final measure, (III) To promote tolerance and inclusion of LGBTQ+ people in Colombian society.

The previously mentioned Caribe Afirmativo organization is an example of the type of grassroots movement that works to promote the human rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) people in Colombia. In its work, the organization has highlighted the importance of transgender leaders in the Colombian Caribbean. In a report made by the organization, Caribe Afirmativo states that transgender leaders have been fundamental in the struggle for LGBTQ+ rights in the region. These leaders have faced discrimination and violence but have persisted in their work to promote equality and justice. The report (Social and political mobilization of LGBTQ+ people in Colombia: A look from the Caribbean), highlights how transgender leaders have had a significant impact on the advancement of LGBTQ+ rights in the Colombian Caribbean. They have achieved changes in laws and policies and have helped create safer spaces for LGBTQ+ people. Some examples of the achievements of transgender leaders in the Colombian Caribbean are: The approval of Law 1808 of 2016, which guarantees the legal recognition of the gender identity of transgender people; the creation of public policies that promote the inclusion of LGBTQ+ people in the educational, labor and social spheres; And clearly, the increased visibility of LGBTQ+ people in the media and culture. However, as the case of the murdered leader Dania Polo demonstrates, there remains so much more to do in terms of guaranteeing a safe and dignified life for members of the trans community. The killings of Franklin Pabón and Alfredo Arrieto further highlight the challenges faced by the LGBTQ+ community in the Caribbean region and throughout Colombia.

In conclusion, despite much progress in terms of improving respect for the rights of the LGBTQ+ community, there is still so much to do. This can perhaps be best seen in the ongoing targeting of LGBTQ+ social leaders in the Caribbean region and throughout Colombia. There are multiple specific cases of LGBTQ+ leaders who were attacked and killed because of their activism, pointing to the broader issue of discrimination and violence against the LGBTQ+ community in the country. LGBTQ+ social leaders in Colombia, including transgender people, face significant threats to their safety and well-being because of their activism and visibility. The murders of individuals such as Dania Sharith Polo, Franklin Pabón and Alfredo Arrieta exemplify the grave dangers faced by LGBTQ+ leaders in their efforts to advocate for equal rights and social acceptance. And the participation of organizations has highlighted the crucial role transgender leaders have played in advancing LGBTQ+ rights in the Colombian Caribbean, leading to legal changes and greater visibility for LGBTQ+ people. The work of such organizations is absolutely vital to guaranteeing a more prosperous and inclusive future for the region and for Colombia. This work requires valued leaders and activists such as Dania, Franklin and Alfredo, and they require the support of all of us.

References

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