AlertNet.org
Guatemala City, June 19 (Reuters) – A transvestite prostitute was murdered in a drive-by shooting in Guatemala’s capital during the weekend, human rights activists said on Monday, the latest in a spate of violence against sex workers.
Honduran Geovanny Calderon, or “Barbara,” was killed on Saturday night when an unknown attacker open fire on a group of prostitutes, wounding three other transvestites and one homosexual man, Jorge Lopez, director of the gay rights organization Oasis, said.
The attack took place six month to the day after a similar shooting that has been blamed on police officers.
“We just sent the body home to Honduras,” said Lopez, who estimates 58 percent of the transsexual sex workers in Guatemala are from other Central American countries.
“She was a humble person who left a deep impression on the hearts of many people and we will not rest until we find out what happened,” said Lopez.
“This is the gravest example of daily human rights violations against this population,” he said. “They are seriously insulted, urine is thrown on them, they are shot at and raped.”
Four transgender sex workers including Barbara have been murdered this year, Oasis said. Seven were killed last year. Some were shot, while others were beaten to death with bats.
The rights group estimates there are some 2,500 transgender sex workers in Guatemala.
Amnesty International says transgender populations are particularly at risk in Central American countries where the society tends toward machismo and homophobia.