South America
The Virgins of the Door: A Rare Glimpse Inside Peru’s Besieged Transgender Community
Maricielo had a chance to study the proofs from the first photo shoot by the time the photographers returned. A pioneer in Lima’s transgender community, she exuded a self-assured energy that demanded attention and respect. The artists had tried to capture that strength, to represent Maricielo as the leader and the role model she had… Read more »
For Colombia’s Gay Couples, The Struggle For Same-Sex Marriage, Adoption Rights Continues
Bogata (Thomson Reuters Foundation) – When Colombia’s Constitutional Court ruled that Veronica Botero could adopt her lesbian partner’s two children, the couple were ecstatic because their six-year legal battle seemed to be over. The ruling, handed down in 2014, was the first of its kind in the socially conservative Andean nation. But more than seven… Read more »
$228,425 NIH Grant to Study Syphilis Among Gay Men in Peru
(CNSNews.com) – The National Institutes of Health has awarded $228,425 to the Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia (translated it means Cayetano Heredia University), a private university in Lima, Peru, to study syphilis among gay men in that country. “Syphilis remains an uncontrolled infectious disease globally, with high prevalence and incidence in certain high risk populations, affecting… Read more »
Colombia refuses to equalise adoption laws for same-sex couples
Colombia’s Constitutional Court has ruled to keep the current limits on same-sex adoption. The court said yesterday that same-sex couples could only adopt a child if it was the offspring of one of the partners. Campaigners have reacted with dismay at the ruling. Senator Armando Benedetti, a supporter of LGBT rights, called the judges “cowards”.… Read more »
7 battlefields: The fight for LGBTI rights in the Caribbean
A recap of recent gains, losses and ongoing battles over LGBTI rights in seven Caribbean nations (Guyana, Jamaica, Trinidad, Belize, Barbados, Bermuda and the Cayman Islands), with help from coverage in the Caribbean IRN Blog of the International Resource Network: Areas With Anti-Gay Laws Guyana U.N. action: During Guyana’s recent Universal Periodic Review before the… Read more »
Conservative Chile Moves to Legalize Abortion and Same-Sex Civil Unions
The socialist government of President Michelle Bachelet in Chile achieved in four days what many once thought would take years — the approval of a civil union law for same-sex couples and a government plan that would decriminalize abortion. On January 28, Chile’s Congress passed a civil union law for same-sex couples and Bachelet has… Read more »
Chile’s Same-Sex Civil Unions Bill Gets Final Approval By Lawmakers
Santiago, Chile (AP) — Chilean lawmakers gave final approval on Wednesday to a bill that recognizes civil unions between same-sex couples. The legislation now goes to President Michelle Bachelet, who is expected to sign it. Government spokesman Alvaro Elizalde welcomed the bill’s passage as “a breakthrough that we are proud of as a government.” The… Read more »
Report: 594 LGBT people murdered in Americas during 15-month period
A report the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights released on Wednesday indicates anti-LGBT violence claimed the lives of at least 594 people in the Western Hemisphere between Jan. 1, 2013, and March 31 of this year. More than half of these reported deaths during this 15-month period took place in Brazil. These include an 8-year-old… Read more »
Chile: Gay Marriage Bill Introduced
A bill which seeks to make Chile the fourth South American nation after Brazil, Uruguay and Argentina to allow gay couples to marry was formally introduced on Wednesday. The measure is backed by a coalition of lawmakers and the Movement for Homosexual Integration and Liberation (Movilh), the nation’s leading LGBT rights advocate. “In terms of… Read more »
Argentina Gay Pride and Gay Soccer Championships Combination Weekend
A Double Dose of Gay Celebrations in Buenos Aires Agentina is a leader in LGBT rights issues in Latin America, and indeed the world. In 2010, the country made same-sex marriage the law of the land. I was fortunate enough to be a witness to the signing of the law, having been there for the… Read more »
Gay Marriage Bill To Be Introduced In Chile
A coalition of lawmakers are expected to introduce a bill this week which seeks to legalize marriage for gay and lesbian couples in Chile. The lawmakers said that they would introduce the bill on Wednesday, December 10. The bill seeks to alter the definition of marriage in Chile’s Civil Marriage Act from “between a man… Read more »
Argentina grants first refugee status to Russian gay, victim of President Putin’s non tolerance policies
A young 28 year old became the first Russian gay to be given refugee status by Argentina, because of discrimination and violence at his home country. The positive reply to the year-long request was sponsored by Argentina’s Federation of lesbians, gays, bisexuals and trans, FALGBT. The refugee status was extended by Argentina’s Refugee Committee, Conare,… Read more »
Thousands Demonstrate For Marriage Equality In Chile
Several thousand people marched through the streets of Santiago, Chile on Saturday to demand marriage equality. Demonstrators marched from the Plaza Italia to the presidential palace at La Moneda. Luis Larrain, president of the Equal Foundation, told Reuters “[w]e are here to demand respect for our identity, for our rights, for our families and for… Read more »
I just returned from an extraordinary training in Suriname
I just returned from an extraordinary training in Suriname with dozens of brilliant LGBT activists who are working to increase safety and visibility across the Caribbean. I want to share with you the inspiring words of a 22-year-old activist, Paige Jennan Andrew, who wrote about the event: “Empowering and extremely fulfilling are the words that… Read more »
Brazil: Schoolboys wear skirts in protest after trans girl fined for wearing female uniform
A group of boys at a Brazil school have donned skirts, after a transgender girl was fined by teachers for wearing the “incorrect” uniform. 17-year-old Maria Muniz, who recently came out as trans at São Cristóvão do Colégio Pedro II, was disciplined by teachers and handed a fine after she wore a skirt to school,… Read more »
Sailor comes out in first for Chile’s armed forces
A sailor in Chile has become the first serving member of the country’s armed forces to come out as gay. Mauricio Ruiz, 24, told a televised news conference his decision had “not been easy”, but he wanted to help fight homophobic discrimination. Mr Ruiz said gay people had “no reason to hide”. “We can do… Read more »
Ecuador’s Rafael Correa Says Gays In Civil Unions Can Record Their Status On ID Cards
Ecuadorian President Rafael Correa said Saturday that gay couples in a civil union can include their status on national ID cards. Under the Ecuador Constitution ratified in 2008, gay couples are recognized with civil unions, granting them all of the rights of marriage except for joint adoption. The document also reserves marriage for heterosexual couples.… Read more »
Uruguay Celebrates First Anniversary Of Marriage Equality
Uruguay this week celebrated the first anniversary of marriage equality. According to the Civil Registry of Montevideo, which half of the nation’s 3.3 million citizens call home, 134 gay and lesbian couples have tied the knot since a marriage law approved by lawmakers took effect on August 5, 2013. However, Attorney Michelle Suarez, a legal… Read more »
The LGBT, feminist and student voices behind Uruguay’s radical reforms
From legalising abortion to transsexual rights, marginalised groups have united to become a formidable force for change One tiny country has been blazing a liberal trail across Latin America. In the past six years, Uruguay has introduced ground-breaking legislation on abortion, drugs, transsexual rights, and same-sex marriage and adoption. While President José “Pepe” Mujica and… Read more »
Felix educates LGBT on their rights
The Society Against Sexual Orientation Discrimination (SASOD) on Wednesday hosted a workshop to educate the lesbians, gays, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) Community of their rights under the laws of Guyana. The occasion was held under the theme “Know your rights: Citizens rights vis-a-viz Police powers” at Moray House, Georgetown. The workshop was facilitated by former… Read more »
Video: Violent repression of gay activists in Paraguay
Paraguay LGBT activists were assaulted by the National Police while protesting against homophobia during the “44th General Assembly of the OAS.” Paraguay -. Activists Monday This LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans) demonstrated in the vicinity of the premises of the South American Football Confederation in Luque , where he holds the 44th General Assembly of… Read more »
Gay Peru politician breaks new ground
A Peruvian politician has announced he is gay — a first in one of Latin America’s most conservative countries. He is Carlos Bruce, a 57-year-old member of congress and former minister and also one of the main drivers of debate on civil unions for same-sex couples in Peru. “Yes, I am gay and proud to… Read more »
Chile: Hate messages spray-painted on the outside walls of LGBT-rights organization MOVILH
This past weekend several of Chile’s leading LGBT-rights organizations held a “unity” march in observation of the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia which, by some estimates, drew as many as 50,000 people. The country recently elected president Michelle Bachelet on a platform that includes debating marriage equality although she has since put it on… Read more »
Brazil gay rights advocates call for ban on discrimination in large annual parade
Sao Paulo – Gay rights advocates called for a Brazilian law against discrimination as they gathered by the hundreds of thousands in Sao Paulo on Sunday for one of the world’s largest gay pride parades. The city blocked its main central avenue to allow room for colorful floats and exuberant crowds of people dressed as… Read more »
LGBT Community Continues To Fight For Legislative Protection In Guyana
Guyana, a small South American country hugging Brazil, Venezuela and Suriname, remains adamant in its lack of protection for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community. While there have been minor legislative triumphs there, same-sex sexual acts are still very much illegal and punishable by imprisonment. At the end of last year, Guyana’s top judge… Read more »
Thousands March To Support Gay Civil Unions Bill In Peru
Roughly 3,000 people on Saturday rallied in support of a proposed civil unions bill in Peru. Among those marching through the streets of Lima was the bill’s sponsor, Congressman Carlos Bruce. “This march is part of human diversity and our constitution allows this diversity to exist,” Bruce is quoted as saying by La Republica. “Now,… Read more »
Gay Chilean Man Dies Of Injuries Suffered In Homophobic Attack
Wladimir Sepulveda, a 21-year-old Chilean man, has died of injuries suffered in a brutal homophobic attack last October. He has been in a coma since, El Pais reports: SepulvedaAccording to the Homosexual Integration and Liberation Movement (Movilh) – the country’s largest gay collective – Sepúlveda was beaten by at least four suspects as he was… Read more »
Chile expected to legalize gay marriage
New president Michelle Bachelet campaigned on promises of equal marriage, trans rights, and improvements in anti-discrimination and hate crime law Michelle Bachelet, Chile’s new president, is expected to fight for the legalization of gay marriage. Chile’s new president is expected to fight for same-sex marriage. Michelle Bachelet, who officially took office yesterday (11 March), is… Read more »
Uruguay President Jose Mujica: Gay Marriage Is Ancient, Not Modern
In a wide-ranging interview published Sunday, Uruguay President Jose Mujica said allowing gay couples to marry is simply recognizing reality. Lawmakers last year approved a number of liberal policies, including legalizing gay marriage, abortion and marijuana. Uruguay’s marijuana law takes effect next month. “We apply a simple principle: To recognize the facts. Abortion is as… Read more »
Transgender woman sues Ecuador for refusing to recognize her new gender
Transgender activist Diane Rodriguez is taking the Ecuadorian Government to the Inter-American Court of Human Rights for refusing to allow her to change her gender on her identity papers without undergoing surgery The first transgender woman in Ecuador to legally change her name will now take her court battle to have her identity documents also… Read more »
Equal Rights and Justice for All Guyanese
Tiffany Barry is a Lecturer in the Department of Sociology and the Women’s Studies Unit, both in the Faculty of Social Sciences at the University of Guyana. She is also Social Change Consultant to the Society Against Sexual Orientation Discrimination (SASOD). by Tiffany Barry In recent years, Guyana has witnessed an upsurge in violent crimes… Read more »
Senate takes first step toward gay civil unions
After more than two years of deliberation, Congress moves forward on Life Partner Agreement, but conservatives promise to oppose gay marriage. In its first session of 2014, Congress took a significant step for gay rights when the Senate approved legislation on same-sex civil union, as emotional supporters cheered and evangelical opponents held up banners with… Read more »
‘Just getting by’: a cross-sectional study of male sex workers as a key population for HIV/STIs among men who have sex with men in Peru.
Abstract Objectives: To describe the sociodemographic and sex work characteristics, recent sexual practices, HIV risk perception and testing history, and HIV and syphilis prevalence of Cercado (downtown) and non-Cercado (close urban) male sex workers (MSWs) in Lima, Peru. Methods: Eighty-nine MSWs completed a self-administered survey and participated in HIV and syphilis testing. Results: Cercado MSWs… Read more »
Gay-rights community fights to advance cause in Latin America and Caribbean
United Nations – Two years ago, a gay couple and their friend vacationing in St. Lucia were tied up, beaten, threatened with knives and guns, and told that they would be killed if they tried to escape. The men later freed themselves, climbed out a window and hiked down the mountain to a friend’s house.… Read more »
Rio De Janeiro Hosts Mass Gay Wedding For 130 Couples
AFP – A total of 130 couples said “I do” in a mass wedding at Rio de Janeiro’s Superior Court of Justice, marking the city’s first gay civil marriages. In mid-May, Brazilian courts determined that public offices that oversee marriages cannot reject gay couples, even though Brazil’s national congress has passed no law on the… Read more »
Chile’s civil union campaign shows benefits for straight and gay couples
Highlighting the health and financial problems gay and straight families encounter, the country’s leading LGBTI rights group Movilh has launched a new YouTube campaign to make civil unions a reality Chile’s leading sexual rights group has launched a new campaign to encourage the government to legalize civil unions. As a presidential run-off vote approaches on… Read more »
Rio de Janeiro hosts world’s largest legal gay mass wedding
132 same-sex couples were legally married Sunday in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in what is believed to be the world’s largest mass same-sex wedding The ceremony was held in the auditorium of the School of Magistrates of Rio de Janeiro. Each of the 132 couples were able to invite up to ten family members and… Read more »
Gay teen killed and dismembered in Peru
18-year-old gay Peruvian Joel Molero Sanchez was murdered and his body dismembered and burned but his killer claims it was an act of self defense A gay Peruvian teen was murdered and his body dismembered and burned in the Amazonian city of Chachapoyas in late November, but his killer claims this was an act of… Read more »
SOMOSGAY Launches New Campaign On LGBT Human Rights
SOMOSGAY and “Diversa” Network, with support from the European Union and Fundación Triángulo (Spain), will launch on December 10th a new campaign called “Paraguay With Rights, Human Paraguay” in commemoration of the International Day of Human Rights. This campaign aims to place the Universal Declaration of Human Rights as a political priority, with the prospect… Read more »
Ecuador: ‘Gay cure clinics’ use rape and torture as corrective measures
Unregulated gay conversion therapy clinics found in Ecuador have been using both rape and torture as corrective measures against patients, a recent investigation has reported. According to the Sunday Times, gay people and other “socially undesirable” patients are abused in the country’s secret clinics as a means of “spiritual correction.” The government has reported “therapies”… Read more »
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