"The Route of the Diverse Kiss in Costa Rica": A Demand to Claim the Right to Identity and to Show Affection (2007-2024)

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to reflect on the testimony of an activist from the “Coordi” of the Beso Diverso as an “underground memory” that forms part of the “collective memories” of the sexually diverse community and their struggles for the rights of the LGBTIQ+ collective. The general objective is to present, through the testimony of "Maria"  and the bibliographic documentary compilation, the history of the Beso Diverso movement and its contribution to the Costa Rican LGBTQI+ movement in the quest for the recognition of the rights of the sexually diverse population in Costa Rica. The methodological approach implemented is audiovisual recording, and the technique applied is the semi-structured interview to gather the “thoughts-feelings” of the activist in a trustful environment. This article concludes that the activist's testimony represents a contribution to the collective memory, especially from minority groups, and reinforces the social cohesion of the LGBTIQ+ population. Furthermore, the intersectional perspective considers Kathia not only as a woman but also as a lesbian, feminist, mother, and professional. In this line, the activist's testimony reveals strategies from lesbo-feminist activism to break with structural power and cultural imperialism. Therefore, from the politics of difference, the aim is to prevent institutional discrimination and ensure the social recognition of marginalized people, an example of which is the approval of same-sex marriage in Costa Rica as a policy of recognition.