A public controversy has emerged in Belize’s Cayo District after a local man came forward with formal allegations of homophobic harassment by an immigration officer during a routine border crossing. The incident, which unfolded at the western frontier connecting Belize to Guatemala, has reignited conversations about public service inclusion and anti-discrimination practices in the country a decade after same-sex relations were decriminalized.
The accuser, Nuhann Lz, took to social media to share his account of the encounter, saying he and his boyfriend were targeted with openly homophobic language by the on-duty officer during their exit processing. Lz emphasized that the experience left him feeling shaken and disrespected, noting that immigration staff hold a unique public trust: they are the face of Belize for both returning citizens and international travelers, and are expected to interact professionally with people of all identities and backgrounds.
Tensions escalated quickly after Lz’s sister spoke up to challenge the officer’s inappropriate comments, according to Lz’s recounting. Instead of acknowledging the complaint and de-escalating the situation, the officer doubled down on disrespectful behavior and issued a threat to have police detain the group, Lz claims. Lz did not publish the exact offensive remarks made by the officer to avoid amplifying harm, but made clear the gravity of the encounter in his public statement.
“It cannot be overstated how disappointing it is to learn that Belize Immigration employs staff who view judgment, degradation, and discrimination based on sexual orientation as acceptable conduct,” Lz wrote. In the weeks following the incident, Lz confirmed he has submitted a formal written complaint to relevant regulatory bodies, and that official investigations are now underway to review the claims. Echoing his commitment to pushing for systemic change, he added, “Silence protects the problem; accountability creates change.”
The incident comes 10 years after a landmark 2016 Belize Supreme Court ruling that decriminalized same-sex sexual activity across the country by striking down the nation’s colonial-era anti-sodomy law as unconstitutional. Despite that legal milestone, LGBTQ+ advocacy groups have continued to push for more inclusive training for public servants, including border and immigration staff, to eliminate implicit and explicit discrimination in public services.
Local outlet News Five has confirmed it reached out to Belize’s Ministry of Immigration for comment on the allegations, but no official response has been released as of the publication of this report.