Homosexuality is still a major political issue and a cause for discrimination in many parts of the world. For example, in Central America, which is still basically an empoverished area of Latin America. That is why we were interested in contacting some of the gay/lesbian-related groups of this area and requested them to answer a survey in which we minimally explored the situation of such groups and citizens in their countries. Having contacted groups in El Salvador, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Panama, we only obtained a response from Nicaragua and Costa Rica, from "Puntos de Encuentro" in Nicaragua and from CIPACDH in Costa Rica, whom we sincerely thank for their kind response and support. The result is what we are now publishing. THERESLES: What priority would you say that the struggle (and the acknowledgment of such struggle) for equal rights of a part of society that includes lesbian/gay/bisexual/transexuals (LGTB) citizens has in Central America, an area of Latin America (and of the world) where there might be other more "crucial", so to speak, issues to be solved, such as poverty, hunger, unemployment and illiteracy? NICARAGUA: "[Starting from a legal point of view] the last priority, [...considering] the real exercise of rights and equality before the law of citizens who [openly] do not choose a heterosexual preference, whether this is manifested by social movements, political leaders or organizations that promote the defense of human rights. In Nicaragua we have Law 147, which is a general law about the legal status of organizations [or citizens] involved in activities of a non-profit nature, which is the one that allows a LGTB group to exist and to work for LGTB, but to date the National Assembly has never approved a specific legal status that would allow these groups to exist as such." COSTA RICA: "This struggle is in the last place [of priorities], because there are still strong moral questionings [about homosexuality] in our society and a lot of education and sensitivity in this respect is still very much needed. [Right now, the focus of] our country is the fight against inflation and against the dissolution of the middle-class, as well as generating more employment and maintaining the levels of education and health." THERESLES: Is the LGTB collective organized in your country? If so, what were some of the major obstacles for this organization? NICARAGUA: "We haven't had a LGTB movement in Nicaragua, but at different moments of our history there has been a stronger public participation of homosexuals and lesbians in political parties, cultural associations and feminist organizations. [...] The major obstacle is the legal structure of our political constitution, which does not recognize equality by law based on sexual preference. Article 204 of our penal code punishes sodomy, defining its punishment based on any public sexual act between two persons of the same sex. Another obstacle is that, although Nicaragua is a secular state, there is still a strong influence of the Catholic Church, which continues imposing in our culture the idea of sin if anyone chooses a non-heterosexual preference." COSTA RICA: "More so in the past, but the cancellation of financial aid in this case caused the dissolution of various groups and currently there are only a few with different objectives and methodology. The major obstacle is the lack of funds and the fear of visibility as a lesbian or gay person." THERESLES: Are the activities of the LGTB-related groups in your country reduced to health-related issues, such as AIDS? NICARAGUA: "[Not necessarily.] In our country, [regarding AIDS,] [at least lesbians and gay persons] have made an effort to make clear that AIDS is the result of sexual practices, not of sexual preferences. [On the other hand,] the group for which I work, 'Puntos de Encuentro' [which literally means 'meeting points], has a general institutional policy of working with professional [men], women or youths who have a LGTB preference. The two main activities in this respect are focused on recognizing the power relations generated by heterosexism (which translate into discrimination, subordination and dominance), as well as promoting a LGTB sexual identity based on the full exercise of human rights on a daily-life basis." COSTA RICA: "The removal of international funding has also affected most LGTB organizations's struggle against AIDS, based on the current levels of health [in our country]. [Therefore,] activities are reduced to social activities." THERESLES: What role does the Catholic Church (or any other religious institutions) play as a support or, on the contrary, as an obstacle, in the LGTB collective's demands? NICARAGUA: "In Nicaragua, the Catholic Church constitutes (unofficially) another state power, it has (unofficially) a great influence on the current government and it is a major obstacle for the recognition of LGTB citizens's rights. Its position is to try to eliminate any formal expression of the reality that we [LGTB] live in, work in and contribute to the development of Nicaragua." COSTA RICA: "The Catholic Church is by law (article 75 of our political constitution) the official religion of Costa Rica. Its position has always been that of opposition to the LGTB collective's struggle for their rights. The [Costa Rican] state has to consult [the Catholic Church] in case of any law project that might 'go against morality and good manners', but also about any projects related to sexual education." THERESLES: In your opinion, what is the actual situation of the daily life of a LGTB person in your country? Furthermore, would you say that there is a difference when it comes to being a lesbian, a gay man, a transexual or a bisexual? NICARAGUA: "[... The general situation of LGTB citizens in Nicaragua] can be summarized as very difficult, as a daily struggle to convince the family, friends and work or study colleagues that we are equal in respect to rights[...] Homophobic people tend to keep a distance at this population and can have a hostile attitude towards it[...] There are only a few LGTB or LGTB-friendly places in Nicaragua. [...On the other hand,] there is a clear difference in regards to the situation of a LGTB person according to her/his specific sexual preference. While lesbian/gay/bisexual people can be more or less accepted in their environment, the situation of transexual or transvestite persons is more difficult, as they are not usually accepted and are much more discriminated. [...] " COSTA RICA: "The lesbian/gay/bisexual population of Costa Rica lives in relative tranquility and freedom, as long as their sexual preference is not obvious. There are gay/lesbian or gay/lesbian-friendly bars, restaurants and hotels, as well as two printed media and an Internet café. [On the other hand,] the transexual/transvestite population is not organized and is usually the object of more violent aggressions than the gay/lesbian population." 
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