We Are Not Who They Say We Are
commissioned by PBI Honduras and funded by the Canadian Embassy in Honduras
While LGBT+ people across the world are participating in marches and events proudly showing they exist, in many countries they face threats, criminalisation and even murder. In Honduras, where simply being visible can be a death sentence, a group of trans women choose to stand up, not just for themselves, but for generations to come.
They belong to Arcoiris, an LGBTQ+ rights organisation that has become both a shield and a beacon in one of the most violent and conservative societies in Latin America. Since its founding, Arcoiris has faced relentless threats and attacks, the murder of 6 of its members, sexual violence, public abuse and stigmatisation. And yet, the women I met weren’t hiding. They were marching, organising, educating, advocating. They were fighting for the Equality Law, for the right to healthcare, to safety, to identity, to simply exist.
JLO has dedicated her life to defend trans and LGBT rights since she started her own transition when she was 15 years old. She has suffered 3 attempts of murder since then. Since 2009 at least 325 LGBT people, mainly trans women, have been killed in Honduras and the survivors seldom report it because of fear of the consequences as many receive death threats and harassment. Research shows that at least 60% of the hate crimes are carried out by the public armed forces. Impunity rates in those reported cases is 98%.
This documentary reveals both the severity of the risks they face and their determination to further their struggle.
Best Latinx Short at Long Beach QFilm Film Festival 2021 (USA), Special mention at Leeds International Film Festival 2020 (UK), Finalist at Film for Peace 2020 (Canada), Semi-Finalist at Margate Film Festival 2020 (UK), Audience Award at Oregon International Film Festival 2021 (USA) and Official Selection at North West Fes International Documentary Film Festival 2021 (Canada), Mix Mexico Festival 2021, Tampa Bay International Gay & Lesbian Film Festival (USA), Trans Stellar Film Festival 2021 (US), Fairy Tales Film Festival 2021 Calgary Queer Arts Society (Canada), PRIDE Queer Film Festival 2021 (Australia), QueerBee Film Festival (UK), FilmPride - Brighton & Hove Pride LGBTQ + Film Festival 2020 (UK), Queer Vision Film Festival 2020 (UK), Latino Film Market 2021 and broadcasted at NVTV Belfast, Latest TV Brighton, KMTV Kent and Sheffield Life! as part of Latest Visions: International Women's Day Festival.