7 News Belize

US Ambassador Cheers Supreme Court Sodomy Ruling
posted (August 19, 2016)
Belize, the Caribbean and the rest of the world continue to digest the Chief Justice's landmark decision in which he decriminalized sodomy after hearing Caleb Orozco's lawsuit challenging Section 53 of the criminal code.

We've shown you the excited reaction from Orozco and the LGBT Community after sitting in court to hear the judge deliver it in person last week Wednesday. We've also shown you the disappointment from the Churches who interpret the ruling as the beginning of the country's moral downfall.

So, what does the US Ambassador think about the ruling? Well, as viewers are aware, he's a former US High Court judge, and the country he represents is on a global mission to encourage acceptance for LGBT communities. As proof of this, a few weeks before the ruling was handed down, the US Embassy hoisted the rainbow flag on its compound, which is considered US soil.

So, not surprisingly, when we asked the Ambassador about the ruling today he applauded it:

Carlos Moreno, US Ambassador to Belize
"I think Chief Justice Benjamin's opinion is a landmark trendsetting decision. As a former judge as you pointed out in reading that very comprehensive thorough decision he covered all the basis beginning with the statutory history of the statute in question section 53, delineating the respected positions of the parties, going through the different contentions by those parties and analyzing the Belizean constitution in terms of the number of rights like equal protection and so forth and also elucidating on international treaties and join upon international law in support of the ultimate ruling. So I think it's really a victory for all Belizeans particularly consenting adults. As I said I think the decision is a precedent setting and I think people in the Caribbean and Latin America are watching this decision and I think the legal system of Belize and the people of Belize should be justifiably proud of this landmark decision."

Daniel Ortiz
"Now sir there is a lot of people who aren't proud of this decision. It has caused a lot of division and a lot of venom. What's you thoughts on that?"

Carlos Moreno, US Ambassador to Belize
"I think people of course are free to say whatever they wish to say and sincerely believe and there is nothing in the opinion that really prohibits people from speaking their minds. But the ultimate conclusion I think is a good one and I think the Chief Justice also takes into account that this is an area of behavior that people differed on quite vociferously. But the important thing is that people not resort to name calling, slander, and libel and certainly they should not resort to violence."

Home | Archives | Downloads/Podcasts | Advertise | Contact Us

7 News Belize