ABOVE: Victor Grajeda. Photo courtesy Grajeda.
An openly gay man in Honduras made history Nov. 28 when he won a seat in the country’s Congress.
Victor Grajeda will serve alongside Congresswoman-elect Silvia Ayala of the leftist Free Party (Partido Libre), who represents Cortés department in which the city of San Pedro Sula is located, as her substitute.
Reportar sin Miedo, the Washington Blade’s media partner in Honduras, and Agencia Presentes, reported Grajeda received more than 100,000 votes. Grajeda is one of five openly LGBTQ candidates who ran for Congress.
“I am looking to open spaces and eliminate discrimination based on sexual orientation or identity,” said Grajeda.
Tegucigalpa Mayor Nasry Asfura, a member of outgoing President Juan Orlando Hernández’s ruling National Party (Partido Nacional), conceded defeat to President-elect Xiomara Castro of the Free Party.
Castro’s husband, former President Manuel Zelaya, was ousted from power in a 2009 coup.
Activists with whom the Blade has spoken say LGBTQ Hondurans continue to flee the country and migrate to the U.S. in order to escape rampant violence and discrimination and a lack of employment and educational opportunities. Castro, among other things, has publicly endorsed marriage rights for same-sex couples in Honduras.
