By Pilar Salazar, from Guatemala City. On Sunday, July 14, three young people who identify as queer were attacked by a group of men at a Taco Bell restaurant in Zone 4 of Guatemala City. One of the victims, who preferred to remain anonymous when speaking to this publication, stated that between 1:00 and 2:30 a.m., he and his friends went into the restaurant to order takeout. At a table inside, there were between five and nine men who, upon seeing them enter, began to insult them with derogatory terms such as "faggots" and "princesses."

                           Photo: Twitter Taco Bell

"I would have liked the restaurant to react."

"We kept walking, we didn't respond. Then we went to get in line to order. This group of people kept staring at us and saying things. We didn't want things to escalate. When they saw that we were ignoring them, one of them approached one of my friends and said:" 'They're going to die from the gaps.' “I was quite scared and angry, and I told the person to back off, which started a fight. Another person from that group came and grabbed me from behind. I couldn't move while the other person was hitting me in the face,” she told Presentes. The same victim told this media outlet that “she would have liked the restaurant's security team to react, but they did absolutely nothing to prevent the problem.” When consulted by this agency, the Advocate for Sexual Diversity at the Human Rights Ombudsman's Office, Henry España, stated: “The Ombudsman's Office regrets that these events are happening. Primarily because, according to the information we have received, the attacks began because of the people's physical appearance. While acts of violence against LGBTQ+ individuals for public displays of affection, such as kissing or holding hands, had been identified previously, now the attacks are motivated by mere physical appearance.”

They filed a complaint with the Human Rights Ombudsman's Office

The Office of the Ombudsman for Sexual Diversity learned of the attacks against Roberto and his friends. Two of the three victims decided to file a complaint with the Human Rights Ombudsman's Office, where a case has already been opened against the men who assaulted these young men inside the restaurant. The attack began with verbal abuse, followed by death threats, and then a physical altercation involving fistfights. According to España, some intervention from the restaurant's security personnel would have been important. The incident occurred in the context of the 19th Sexual Diversity and Gender Identity Parade, scheduled for July 20th. Jorge Sologaistoa, who has been part of the parade's organizing committee for the past 19 years, told Presents"It is an expected and normalized attack in a society that is so full of violence, homophobia, transphobia, classism, racism and heterosexism, that they have us subjugated." “We hold Taco Bell Guatemala responsible” The Queer MagazineA recently established Guatemalan media outlet covering issues of sexual diversity was the first to report on this act of violence. They issued a statement on social media: “We hold Taco Bell Guatemala responsible for the complete lack of assistance following the hate attack that occurred inside the Taco Bell located in Zone 4. We condemn hate speech and stand firmly in solidarity with those affected. We fight for a Guatemala where we are not attacked for who we are.”

Taco Bell's statement

Upon seeing himself tagged in the publication of Queer Magazine And from other LGBTIQ+ organizations that joined in the rejection, the fast food restaurant responded on social media and said that it has already started an investigation: “At Taco Bell Guatemala, we do not tolerate discrimination and we respect and support the LGBTQ+ community. We have launched an investigation into what happened and will take swift and appropriate action if proper policies were not followed. While it is not our practice to involve our team members in customer disputes, Taco Bell is an inclusive place and we are displeased to hear of experiences that do not reflect this.”

Complaints of assault and discrimination

The Office of the Ombudsman for Sexual Diversity has registered seven complaints this year for reasons of aggression and workplace discrimination, and they indicate that they are aware there may be more. But those affected often do not dare to file a complaint. José Carlos Hernández, the elected representative to the Central American Parliament for the Semilla party, commented on the same statement: “Guys, if those offended need support, I am at your service. As one of your representatives, I am willing to help.”