Landmark Courtcase To Challenge Constitutionality of Belize’s Anti-Homosexuality Laws

Western nations are attempting to strong-arm the central American nation of Belize into accepting the LBTG agenda in a landmark court case that could have ramifications for the entire region.

The case will be heard by the Supreme Court of Judicature next Tuesday and centres on the constitutionality of Section 53 of the Belize Criminal Code, which outlaws “carnal intercourse against the order of nature with any person or animal.”

This law, which has been in place since 2003, imposes up to 10 years imprisonment on those who violate it. The nation’s Immigration Act also prohibits prostitutes and homosexuals from immigrating to the nation.

Belize is part of the Commonwealth realm and a member of the Commonwealth of Nations. It is a constitutionally Christian nation and the only country in Central America that prohibits homosexual activity. Belize also has the distinction of being the only nation in the region that did not sign the United Nations 2011 document on gay rights.

The government of Belize has come under increasing fire from the Obama administration in general and from former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in particular. In 2011, the White House issued a presidential memorandum condemning “discrimination, homophobia, and intolerance on the basis of LGBT status or conduct,” and said that US agencies in countries such as Belize should “vigorously advance” the promotion of gay rights. Belizean Prime Minister Dean Barrow reiterated that Belize would not change its anti-homosexuality stance, saying that if President Obama wishes to punish states by removing foreign aid for continuing such practice then “they will have to cut off their aid”.

As Belize has stood firm in the midst of foreign pressure, the LGBT lobby changed their tactic and turned to the courts. A case was filed before the country’s Supreme Court in September 2010 by the United Belize Advocacy Movement (UNIBAM). It is being supported by the International Commission of Jurists, the Commonwealth Lawyers’ Association, and the Human Dignity Trust. It is being opposed by Belize Council of Churches and Evangelical Association of Churches, along with the Belizean Government, on the grounds that overturning the law will be a slippery slope for introducing ‘gay marriage’ and other practices.

A spokesman for the churches, Pastor Scott Stirm, claimed

They are trying to push this issue as a human rights issue. And there is an international, global agenda that is pushing homosexuality and abortion.

UNIBAM receives support from the U.S. in the name of human rights. But we will not allow them to legalize this lifestyle so that they have free course to go into the schools and teach our kids their lifestyle.’

If UNIBAM is unsuccessful in the case which begins next week, they plan to take the fight all the way to the Caribbean Court of Justice.

When asked about the case, Robin Phillips, spokesman for Christian Voice, commented, “From our perspective in the West, Section 53 of the Belize Criminal Code seems unnecessary and even harsh, and I certainly do not advocate putting homosexuals in jail. However, the government of Belize believes that laws criminalizing unnatural acts function as effective “gatekeepers” by keeping at bay measures such as gay marriage, gay adoption, etc. Given the trajectory of how things have gone in Britain after the laws prohibiting sodomy were removed from the statute books, it’s hard not to have some sympathy with this position. The collateral effects of the gay rights agenda, in terms of the erosion of liberty and the public threats, were only possible once homosexuality became legalized in Britain. The rulers in Belize are not stupid and are aware of this dangerous trajectory.”

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