Guatemala's machismo culture can make things challenging for gay and lesbian travelers. In general, Guatemalans are not used to seeing same sex couples, as homosexuality is not widely accepted in Guatemala. Things may be begining to change, however, especially with the American media portraying more homosexuals in TV and movies. It really just depends on the individual you encounter — some people are accepting of homosexuality, while others make disparaging remarks. Guatemala City has a growing gay-rights movement, and there are a number of gay bars in Zona 1.
Gay travelers may want to refrain from overt mutual affection while in public, as it may attract unwanted attention. It's more acceptable to be openly affectionate in a larger city, but in rural areas it's best to adopt a more conservative approach.
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