Advancing Indigenous LGBTQI+ recognition and solidarity from Guatemala to Canada

Inter Pares is excited to receive renewed government funding for our long-term counterpart Asociación Lambda, through the project Indigenous Sexual Diversity, Inclusion and Two-Spirit Solidarity from Guatemala to Canada. 

Made possible through additional funding from the Act Together for Inclusion Fund (ACTIF) inclusion strategy, which seeks to expand support for Indigenous-led queer organizations that have historically been underfunded and overlooked, this work will nurture connections, strengthen Indigenous community leadership and support movements that are transforming how recognition and visibility is understood and practiced—locally and globally.

Why this work matters

About half of Guatemala’s population identifies as Indigenous, the vast majority which are Mayan, alongside Garifuna, Xinca and other peoples. Despite their rich cultures and long histories, Indigenous communities continue to face the lasting impacts of colonization, dispossession and violence, including the ramifications of the Mayan genocide during the country’s internal conflict (1960–1996).

These histories shape the present. Indigenous peoples experience systemic racism across Guatemalan society and this intersects with other forms of discrimination.

For Indigenous queer and trans people, the challenges are often compounded.

Colonial systems imposed rigid patriarchal norms and gender binaries that continue to be reinforced by today’s social institutions and religious influences—contributing to discrimination and violence. 

In collaboration with other LGBTQI+ organizations in Guatemala, our counterpart Asociación Lambda documents hundreds of cases [in Spanish] each year involving threats, physical and digital violence, denial of services and murder perpetuated against LGBTQI+ populations.

Confronted with the intersection of racism and discrimination, Indigenous queer and trans people often make the difficult decision to migrate to urban centres, where they are displaced from their ancestral cultural identities, communities and relationship to land.

Partnering with Asociación Lambda in Guatemala

Inter Pares works closely with Asociación Lambda, an organization dedicated to the recognition, inclusion and wellbeing of LGBTQI+ people in Guatemala.

Lambda has long supported Indigenous grassroots groups across the country. This renewed support comes at a pivotal time, as Indigenous queer and trans people are increasingly organizing for recognition—both within their communities and the broader LGBTQI+ movement.

With support through ACTIF, Lambda is expanding and strengthening its Indigenous-focused programming and ensuring it can grow sustainably into the future.

A key milestone in this effort is the creation of Lambda’s Indigenous Secretariat, an Indigenous-led body that:

• Designs and leads programming grounded in Indigenous realities and experiences
• Supports Indigenous LGBTQI+ communities across different territories
• Challenges racism within the broader LGBTQI+ movement

This work builds Lambda’s long-term work, including a training program that has already reached hundreds of government staff, service providers and LGBTQI+ organizations. The program helps these institutions better engage with Indigenous communities using culturally sensitive, intersectional approaches.

Community members honouring Erika Paau Pop, an Indigenous trans woman recently assassinated in her community. In response, Asociación Lambda’s Indigenous Secretariat led advocacy efforts to raise awareness of the case and call for justice. Photo: Asociación Lambda

Building solidarity across borders

This initiative is also about fostering meaningful international connections and solidarity.

Through the project, Indigenous queer and trans organizations in Guatemala and Colombia will engage in international exchanges, including with Two-Spirit and Indigiqueer communities in Canada. These exchanges will be grounded in shared learning and self-determined priorities.

Inter Pares' counterparts in Guatemala today

For decades, Inter Pares has partnered with local organizations in Guatemala working to advance human rights, gender equality, Indigenous self-determination and historical memory. 

Current work includes:

• Supporting Indigenous-led organizations defending land, culture and collective rights
• Advancing gender justice and combating violence against women and LGBTQI+ people
• Supporting community-based feminist media that promote historical memory, territorial rights and critical analysis of systemic inequalities
• Strengthening local movements through long-term partnerships
• Promoting community-driven solutions to systemic inequality

Our approach is rooted in solidarity—working alongside partners—so communities can define their own priorities and paths forward.

Indigenous Sexual Diversity, Inclusion and Two-Spirit Solidarity from Guatemala to Canada is part of a growing movement to reclaim identities, challenge systems of oppression and build futures grounded in dignity and belonging.

By supporting Indigenous queer and trans leadership—and creating spaces for connection across borders—we are working together toward a world where diversity is celebrated and all people can live fully as themselves.

Inter Pares’ support for Asociación Lambda comes in part from the Act Together for Inclusion Fund (ACTIF). ACTIF is funded by the Government of Canada through Global Affairs Canada and is managed by Equitas in partnership with Dignity Network Canada.