Belize City, Belize: Rooted in Belizean values, the Live and Let Live campaign launches today with the goal of elevating the stories of real people who have faced discrimination – either personally or through the experience of their loved ones – and believe it is time to spark a national conversation about the importance of treating all Belizeans with respect.
The campaign will harness the power of personal stories and our shared values as Belizeans to build public support and understanding for our neighbors who have, for too long, been treated differently simply because of who they are – a female seeking employment in a male-dominated field, a mother worried about balancing motherhood and career, a person with disability who transcends society’s expectations and perceived limitations, a mother coming to terms with her gay child and accepting them for who they are.
“This is a campaign about real people and their heart-felt stories,” says Dr. Minerva Pinelo, coordinator of the Live and Let Live Campaign. “The truth is, many Belizeans simply aren’t aware that discrimination is a reality for far too many of our neighbors. We’re confident that when Belizeans hear these stories and consider our shared values, we will all come to agree that everyone in our country should be treated with basic respect.”
As part of the campaign, a series of public service announcements will be aired over a 3-month period. Each one will include authentic stories of Belizeans and their families explaining why they believe it’s time to treat all of our neighbours with respect. The Live and Let Live campaign will meet Belizeans where they are – using a website, social media , television and radio to elevate the real stories of our neighbours, family and friends.
In one of the PSA’s that will begin airing nationally today, Elizabeth Trapp of Belize City shares that at first, she wasn’t sure how to react when her son told her that he’s gay. But despite not fully understanding her son’s experience, he concluded that his duty as a parent was to, above all, support her child unconditionally. She explains, “I need to love him and continue loving him until the day I die.”
Most importantly, this is a campaign about neighbours talking to neighbours – and through our efforts, we aim to spark face-to-face conversations across Belize to engage thousands of people in an important conversation about why following the Golden Rule and treating others as we’d wish to be treated is a reflection of our shared values as Belizeans.
We invite anyone who shares the belief that no Belizean should be treated differently because of who they are to share their story with us on our website: LiveAndLetLive.BZ and follow on social media.
Respect for All Belizeans!
Live and Let Live is a campaign
rooted in Belizean values that aims to elevate the stories of real people who
have faced discrimination – either personally or through the experience of
their loved ones – and believe it’s time to spark a national conversation about
the importance of treating all Belizeans with respect. This campaign will
harness the power of personal stories and our shared values as Belizeans to
build public support and understanding for our neighbors who have for too long
been treated differently simply because of who they are.
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Contact:
Dr. Minerva Pinelo
[email protected]