Relatives and friends of LGBT Costa Ricans speak out in new campaign

Costa Rica’s Ombudsman’s Office launched its latest human rights campaign Wednesday in support of LGBT people. The only thing missing was LGBT people.

Instead, the campaign focused on friends and family of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people. Allies shared their stories of how they came to accept their LGBT loved ones and made their case for greater acceptance for LGBT people in Costa Rican society.

“We should support and work with families to build a more solidarity world, one that’s more humane and fair for all people: friends, mothers, fathers, brothers and sisters, and sons and daughters, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity,” said Ombudswoman Montserrat Solano Carboni, according to a statement from her office.

The campaign also encouraged people to sign a petition in support of equal rights and protections for Costa Rica’s LGBT population.

The videos were produced with support from the public relations company La Tres. Public funds were not used to produce the videos, according to a statement from the Ombudsman’s Office.

This is the latest in a serious of video campaigns from the Ombudsman’s Office, including others to prevent violence against children, raise awareness about elderly Costa Ricans, and an anti-crime initiative.

Read: Costa Rica’s changing definition of family hits cookie commercial