HIVOS Partners
Central American and Caribbean Journal of sexual diversity
September 2014
Violence rages in Honduras against LGBTI people Organizations reported that after the coup violence would have escalated against LGBTI people in the period 20092014 and there would have been at least 157 murders of members of this group. These crimes will not be investigated with due diligence, and in some cases not even be registered by the Public Ministry.
Columbus Metropolitan Region and concentrate the highest incidence of AIDS in Panama The AIDS incidence rate per 100 thousand inhabitants of Panama is 19.0%. However, in the Metropolitan Region figures soar to 44.5% and in Colon they are around 40.9% . In San Miguelito indexes are placed at 22.2%, in western Panama to reach 19.1% in Panama this is around 14.1% and Kuna-Yala it is 13.4%.
In Darien, Herrera, Bocas del Toro, Cocle, NĂśgbe Bugle, ChiriquĂ, Veraguas and Los Santos incidence rates range between 7.3 and 1.8%
Religion, Intolerance and secular state
The Department of Philosophy at the University of Panama held a philosophical coffee with the theme "Religious discourse, intolerance and Secular State" where the impact of religious fundamentalism on the lives of LGBTI people was analyzed. It also brought to the attention the religious discourse that is handled versus theological discourse representing two sides of an oppressive religion and a liberating and serving human rights religion
Legislative Assembly will discuss three projects against discrimination The first of three projects to combat discrimination based on sexual orientation was dictated by the Committee on Legal Affairs and is queuing to enter the first debate in the Legislative Assembly of Costa Rica. The initiative amends Article 373 of the Penal Code to punish between 20 and 200 days of fines to public or private officials who discriminate based on considerations of gender and sexual orientation, among others. This is the third project against discrimination of sexually diverse groups and joins the "Law to Combat Discrimination, Hate Speech and Hate speech and discrimination" and the "Law to Prevent and Punish all Forms of Discrimination "that is already being studied in the Commission on Human Rights.
Protests over proposed religious freedom About 100 people of sexual diversity protested outside the home of President Luis Guillermo SolĂs for sending to special sessions of the Legislative Assembly the draft law on religious freedom that instead of creating a secular state, as was offered in election campaign, wants to transform Costa Rica on a multi-confessional state.
With the slogan "he who wants a priest should pay for it" the Invisible Movement and the Front for the Equal Rights demanded the immediate withdrawal of this project because fundamentalist groups are the ones obstructing congressional approval of legislation that would give rights to sexually diverse people.
Social security for Sex Workers The Costa Rican Social Security can provide coverage to sex workers that request this and guarantee access to medical services and the right to enjoy a retirement. The insurance is given under the description of "self-employed" since this is what they are, but they are considered informal workers. The organization already has several people that are insured under this regime, allowing them medical care on an equal basis as other workers, as is logical within the philosophy of universality and equity.
Nicaragua Institutionalizes non discrimination in Health During the month of August, the Ministry of Health in Nicaragua approved the mInistral Resolution 671-2014 which deals with the eradication of all forms of discrimination against people due to their sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression, HIV status or for exercising sex work, in health services. Nicaragua becomes the first country to update this resolution and is one of the three countries that have implemented this since 2009. Part of the Ministry of Health plans are to introduce the resolution between health workers, for which the Ministry has provided teaching teams with all the Heads of areas to make it available in all health units be it primary or in hospital units.
Miss Gay Nicaragua presents Social Platform Berdrinaxi America, Miss Gay Nicaragua 2014 and Carlos Rodriguez, president of the organization, presented the social platform of the organization by participating in the Nicaragua Magazine Good Morning which is broadcast on local television. America indicated that the main objective of the organization is the promotion and defense of human rights of sexually diverse people, promoting tourism in Nicaragua and LGBTI legal services and advocacy to government authorities.
Audio production workshop The Sustainable Development Network held a workshop production of audio with 15 LGBTI groups on the Pacific side of Nicaragua in order to strengthen their communication and the projection of their concerns and needs. The project was supported by the German Ministry of Foreign Affairs through the foundation Hirshfeld Eddy.
Sexual Diversity Conference In order to create a space for discussion and proposal for strengthening the design of a comprehensive public policy for LGBTI communities in Guatemala the V Congress of Sexual Diversity was held. Other aspects analyzed were access to justice, health, state recognition to communities of sexual diversity and political challenges within the governmental structure. At the conference a campaign against discrimination was also launched. It was organized by the National Network of Sexual Diversity and HIV of Guatemala (REDNADS) and had the support and assistance of more than 15 LGBTI organizations.
IACHR urges policies for LGBTI The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) in its special session highlighted the importance of strengthening policies for LGBTI people, including a law on the right to identity of transgender people. On the situation of LGBTI people the Government reported that it had already created an interagency technical committee to ensure their rights. The LGBTI organizations, meanwhile, indicated that sexually diverse people or people that are perceived as such, in Guatemala suffer harassment including assaults and raids on their organizations.
AIDS patients are discriminated The Human Rights procurator of Guatemala, Jorge Duque de Leon said that there is discrimination in the Central American country to people with the AIDS virus. He said that Guatemala lacks policies that teach not to discriminate against people with this disease, nor policies to prevent them.
LBGTI people are victims of common crimes In the commission on Human Rights (IACHR) it was reported that sexually diverse people remain targets of serious acts of violent and hate crimes perpetrated by common criminals and that the vast majority of these crimes remain unpunished due to the lack of mechanisms to ensure access to justice for the victims and the unwillingness of the authorities to investigate facts. In the period of special sessions they will also be informed about the barriers and forms of discrimination that LGBTI people face in accessing health services and particularly the harassment and psychological pressure that young people that belong to these groups are objected to in the public education system.
Trans men ask for a reform to Identity Law HT503 is the first trans men organization in El Salvador and they are working on a document to ask the legislature to reform the Identity Law for people of the LGBTI community so they can change the name assigned at birth to their chosen names. This is beneficiary to them so they can apply for jobs, since in many cases discrimination begins when the employer discovers that the identification information does not match the gender that the person expresses. The Ministry of Labor made a series of anti-discriminatory inspections, but their observations are only preventive. It depends on the employer whether they decide to abide by it or not.
The CIDH claims that the Country of Belize does not protect the LGBTI community The inter-American commission on Human Rights (CIDH) strongly reiterated that Belize should provide effective protection to the LGBTI Community, emphasizing on their labor rights through the implementation of inclusive public policy. In the special session held in Mexico City, the government of Belize was reminded of concerns about the continued validity of legislation that criminalizes consensual sexual relations between adults of the same sex. And it was reiterated that the existence of these standards is unacceptable even when they do not result in criminal proceedings. The concern was also highlighted because of the immigration laws of Belize, which forbid the entrance of LGBTI people into the country and the lack of awareness among the general population about the rights of the sexually diverse groups. The Inter-American Commission rejected the lack of response from the state, because twice the Commission has convened meetings on the implementation of these recommendations, and the authorities ordered that these meetings be canceled.
The UNIBAM is attacked with slander An editorial of the newspaper Amandala states that the United Belieze Advocacy Movement (UNIBAM) seeks funds from the United States by “activating violence against the community�. The claims the newspaper make convert them in accomplices and perpetrators of the oppression that the LGBTI community of Belize lives which can be seen in the laws that denigrate, discriminate, deny basic rights and criminalizes them. But slander to deny rights are a position that radically goes against common sense. The newspapersposition is not surprising, since in the past it took the forefront of oppression against Black Belizeans and now promotes that human beings exist in a clandestine manner to avoid daily suffering, humiliation and marginalization.
Organizations ask to include LGBTI rights in constitution of Granada The Caribbean Alliance for Equality, asked the Advisory Committee on Constitutional Reform of Granada to include in the chapter on rights and freedoms of sexual orientation and gender identity in order to ensure the protection of LGBTI people. They said that now is the time to give equality and justice for all in the constitution. "This is a necessary step in Granada to modernize its legal system. Since the promulgation of the final Constitution, understanding of sexual orientation and gender identity has evolved tremendously. Granada is located between a small number of secular societies that ignores the rights of LGBT citizens.
Priest defends LGBTI rights in Trinidad and Tobago Martinique develops large activism in preventing The AIDES Association Martinique develops a campaign that reaches all island populations dela talks for information and prevention of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and HIV. The organizational commitment is enviable because in their fight against discrimination and social transformation has a large team of volunteer activists who no longer overcome by weather and prejudice.
The Catholic priest Stephen P. Geofroy calls for Equal Rights for the sexually diverse community and to consecrate the rights in the Constitution of Trinidad and Tobago. In a surprising speech to a government consultation, the priest raised his views at a conference at the University of the West Indies and various media. The cleric said that equality for LGBTI people should not even be discussed further. "We have come through a long history of slavery and now is the time to break the many things that denigrate people. We have to make this decision because Human Rights are involved"
Transsexual denounce attacks A group of young trans sex workers reported that they have been unfairly arrested, persecuted, physically assaulted and shot at by police patrolling Kilometer 9 in Santo Domingo. TRANSSA, COTRAVETD and Human Rights Observatory for Vulnerable groups accompanied the victims to place a criminal complaint with the Human Rights Unit of the Attorney General's Office and said they have documented over 25 hate crimes committed against Trans sex workers that have not been resolved by the prosecution and judicial authorities.
In Dominican Republic the trans population is the most affected because of stigma and discrimination and sex work has become the only means of livelihood for a large percentage of the population.
Pentecostals denounce President and Ambassador The Fountain of Salvation Pentecostal sect submitted an appeal against the president of the Dominican Republic, Danilo Medina, and the Ambassador of the United States in the country, James Brewster, rejecting the alleged promotion of homosexual practice in the country by the diplomat and omission by the Head of State.
Together but not mixed The team of the television program " Together but not mixed" is preparing the 60th edition of this news magazine that has garnered so much success thanks to the support of its host Chris King. In Dominican Republic the program has achieved a wide audience among sexually diverse populations and we want to congratulate you for an informative and awareness effort which each month refreshes the LGBTI community. Best wishes and success in your work.
The appeal points out an alleged violation to the Constitution, the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations and other laws, by promoting gay diplomatic practice in the country
Transvestite performance professionalized Two Cuban transvestites reached Professional Endorsement as Transformation Actors, certified by the Agency of Artistic Representations (CARICATOS) and the President of the National Council for the Performing Arts. Previously they were regarded as amateurs since they lacked legal authorization to have presentations in spaces belonging to the state. The transvestite actors on this occasion were Angela Nefer and Alegna; it is expected that gradually other major artists of transformation can also opt for the Endorsement of Professionalism.
Workshop to set strategies LGBTI The city of Santa Clara, Cuba, was the Headquarters of the First National Workshop by the Network for Humanity for Diversity organized by the National Center on Sexuality (CENESEX), as part of the community social networking. The event was an opportunity to exchange knowledge, reflection and strategies to strengthen their advocacy for the rights of the LGBTI community, and they have groups in the provinces of Santiago de Cuba, Granma, Camaguey, Ciego de Avila, Cienfuegos, Villa Clara and Havana.
Photography of Cuban Men
Anti-Gay protesters deny that they homophobic Jamaica, a country that has made headlines in recent years for their demonstrations of antigay violence and homophobia by their religious leaders, is about to conduct a large-scale debate on the rights of homosexuals. The media has treated the matter as if it were the battle of David against Goliath facing the LGBTI lobby with traditional Christian values that have been the voices of condemnation of homosexuality. However, despite its blatant opposition to gay rights, some are trying to distance themselves from the label "homophobic". A popular slogan among the demonstrators who protested against a possible repeal of a law against sodomy colonial era cries, "Speaking the truth is not homophobia."
Jamaican Diaspora reject fundamentalism A large group of Jamaicans living outside their country wrote a letter to fundamentalist religious leaders where they asked them to separate the issues of faith and spirituality from human rights and to stop creating campaigns against people of diverse sexuality because they are demonizing the topic increasing hatred and increasing vulnerable of these groups. They argued that most recipes against homosexuality are in the Old Testament and the quotation from St. Paul should be applied. "For all of you who were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus "(Galatians 3: 27-28). They added that the Christian fundamentalists forget the Christian poropsal that indicates: "Judge not lest ye be judged." They further clarify that pedophilia and violent coercive sex is not the same as homosexuality, which is a sexual attraction between two consenting adults. "The combination of these issues has been a repeated strategy in the campaign against the reform. This strategy misleads the public and spread false and harmful rhetoric. "
Ecuador advances in LGBTI rights Symbolic but important steps towards equality were taken in Ecuador. President Rafael Correa announced that domestic partnership for couples of the same or opposite sex will be recognized as a civil state on citizen identification. Correa will also study the possibility that Transgendered people can modify their documents to reflect their gender identity. The president also promised to intensify the fight against hate crimes and employment discrimination against the transgendered population and will meet twice a year with representatives of the LGBTI community.
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Chile Approves “Couples Life Partnership” The constitutional committee, legislation and Justice of the Chilean Senate approved the “Couples Life Partnership” (CLP), a bill which initiated in the legislative process more than three years ago and which, among other things, allows the civil union of homosexual couples. The government supported the bill and said it’s a breakthrough to end discrimination in the country. The CLP was one of the promises of the previous administration of Sebastian Piñera, but it was held up before congress by the alliance of conservative parties, whom now support the initiative.
Adoption in Colombia and Marriage in Florida
The support that the LGBTI community gave the Colombian president Jose Manuel Santos in the second round, has started to bear fruit. The government positions itself in favor of gay and lesbian adoption and the Constitutional Court will soon reach a positive ruling. The sentencing by a federal judge declared unconstitutional the ban on gay marriage in Florida opens the possibilities so that these unions will soon be recognized. .
19 Million People are unaware that they have HIV
Of the 35 million people that are infected with HIV in the world, 19 million are not aware they are carriers and at larger risk, to their own health, and they continue to infect their partners and other people due to ignoring this information. In reality, Africa is still the continent that has been hardest hit by this pandemic, because there you can find 7 out 10 people have been infected. It is an unfortunate that statistics report that 58% of the HIV positive are women. According to the figures from USAIDS in 2013, the number of deaths – most from Tuberculosis- of people infected with HIV was 1.5 million; many of these people lived in Latin America.
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The Hell of living in Africa Homosexuality if punishable by death in seven countries and in 78 it is illegal. One of the epicenters of homophobia is Africa, where government officials have a type of crusade against people that do not follow the sexual standards. Journalist Marc Serena, traveled across the continent to personally investigate the situation of the LGBTI community and found that the Hell was larger than he imagined and he commented in his book This is not African! On his journey he discovered that Nigeria has the most repressive legislation in the world, there is a new apartheid in Cameroon where a person can end up in jail due to rumors or to hear the president of Gambia Yahya Jammeh say that homosexuality is a “plague� that must be fought against like mosquitoes that cause malaria or even in a more violent manner. He also found that lesbians have undergone corrective rapes, a group of homosexuals that created a dialect to communicate to be able to survive the collective hysteria that has been unleashed in some countries, where LGBTI groups have become the most persecuted in the world.
First wedding will be the Prime Minister of Luxembourg In January 2015 when equal marriage laws will start to govern in Luxembourg, the first wedding will be the Prime Minister Xavier Better with his partner Gauthier Destenay. The two have been together since March 2012 by civil partnership legislation that allowed the coexistence of domestic partners.
International beauties confess to being lesbians Patricia Yurena Rodriguez and Maria Walsh have surprised the world, in less than a week, both confessed that they are lesbians.
With a 4 Emmy trajectory Jim Parson returned to take home an Emmy for Best Actor in a Comedy for his role in “The Big Bang Theory”. The openly gay actor is the genuine owner of the category, he has won three Emmys in the last four years (2010, 2011, and 2013, only Jon Cryer broke his streak in 2012) and he has now repeated with his fourth award.
The first is the Spanish beauty queen that occupied second place in the Miss Universe pageant in 2013, surpassing 89 candidates and Walsh is the current representative for Ireland, who came out of the closet in an interview with the “Irish Sun”.
Yurena’s partner is Vanessa, whom she met more than a year ago, before participating in the international competition.
Lesbians have more orgasms than heterosexuals
Lesbians have more probabilities of having an orgasm when they have sex with their regular partners than heterosexual or bisexual women according to a study published in the United States. According to the results from the University of Indiana, heterosexual women informed they had orgasms 61.6%, bisexual’s cases gave results of 58% and lesbians had a rate of 74.7%. To the investigators this difference may be due to the fact that “women that identify as lesbians feel more comfortable with the female body, which is more familiar to them, and therefore, on average, are more likely to produce an orgasm in their female partners.”
Aids is supposedly cured with a Tuber
Prone to Suicide A new study that was published in the PanAmerican Magazine in Public Health has revealed that young homosexuals or bisexuals have four time the probability of committing suicide in comparison to their heterosexual counterparts. .
Inhabitants of Awajun, in the Amazons, think that AIDS is witchcraft. Due to this they treat it with a tuber called “Sacha Jergon”. Apparently they have discovered a root that has favorable results in the fight against this disease. The natives assure that already a few of their people have been cured with this natural antiretroviral.
The investigation found that gays, lesbians and bisexuals are 3.8 times more prone to try to commit suicide and 3.2 times more likely to have suicidal thoughts or to harm themselves. They also discovered that lesbians and bisexuals have a higher tendency of informing that they are planning to commit suicide, in comparison to gays whom do not reveal their intentions.
Boxing Trainer changes gender “I was born in the wrong body and I have always know I was a woman”, explained Kelly in a interview that she gave the British news paper The Mirror in which she revealed that she is going through gender reassignment. As Frank, Maloney was the promoter and guide that took British Lennox Lewis to conquer the world crown in the heavy weights in 1992 and maintained the boxer at the top of this sport for 10 years.
First NBA referee married For Violet Palmer, the first women's basketball referee in the NBA, it has taken some time for players to take her seriously. They were used to men making definite decisions, but her poise and professionalism have led her to success. But recently she left everyone speechless when she announced that she married Tanya Stine her longtime girlfriend, whom she had been with for the past twenty years.
Former soccer player creates first gay National team The German former soccer player Marcus Urban, one of the first players in the world to come out of the closet and publicly state his homosexuality, wants to create the first national and professional gay team. He wants to organize a game against the Federal Soccer club of Germany (Bundesliga). “There are gay players on the Bundesliga that are gay, the problem is that they are afraid, and rightfully so. Never before has anybody dared to create a team. So we have been thinking, let’s do this, we think this is the time to do it.”