LGBT Infrastructure in Chile Collapsing

The 8.8 magnitude earthquake in Chile that killed hundreds in February may have proved destructive to the nation's LGBT infrastructure, a gay rights group is reporting.

Last week, Chilean gay rights group Movimiento de Integracion y Liberacion Homosexual (Homosexual Integration and Liberation Movement), released several statements regarding the status of LGBT infrastructure in Chile.

"The homes of many Chilean LGBT activists are in poor condition, while other activists who fight against homophobia and transphobia in Chile are still missing," the organization said in a statement according to the Bay Area Reporter.

The Frida Kahlo Lesbian Cultural Center in Chillan was destroyed, and the headquarters of the Chilean AIDS Prevention Corporation and ACCIONGAY in Valparaiso was severely damaged, causing suspension of its services.

"The house is ready to fall down," said Marcelo Aguilar, ACCIONGAY's Valparaiso regional coordinator. "One of the saddest aspects is the loss of equipment that we worked hard to acquire for our headquarters over the past 10 years."

South of Santiago, in the town of Paine, the gay bar Vunker was rendered completely uninhabitable, MOVILH reported.

The organization reported many activists have lost friends and family members, citing transsexual activist Karin Avaria, who lost seven relatives.