El Estado colombiano decidió no tocar el tema de la niñez y adolescencia LGBTI durante su reunión con el comité sobre los derechos del niño el 20 y 21 de enero de 2015 en Ginebra. El silencio del Estado ante la pregunta del Comité (parte 1 número 6) sobre población infantil y adolescente vulnerable a ser discriminada por estereotipos de género, orientación sexual e identidad de género, es un silencio que dice más que las palabras. 

Palacio de las Naciones, ONU Ginebra. Foto por UN Photo.

El Estado expuso las medidas tomadas para las otras poblaciones vulnerables, en especial, indígenas y afrocolombianos, y—por lo demás—la delegación colombiana en Ginebra concentró sus esfuerzos en señalar, con fundamento, los desafíos de atender a la población infantil y adolescente afectada por el conflicto armado en el actual proceso de paz y de justicia transicional. La situación de niñas, niños y adolescentes en el país está, sin duda, atravesada y herida por la violencia derivada del conflicto armado y de los estragos del desplazamiento interno: alrededor de 5 millones de personas han sido desplazadas en Colombia, mitad de las cuales son menores.

Sin embargo, el silencio sobre niños, niñas y adolescentes LGBTI—muchos de los cuales son desplazados, afro descendientes, indígenas y niños y niñas en situación de calle, vulnerables de manera especial a la violencia sexual, intrafamiliar y a la violencia ejercida por los actores armados—afecta las garantías de no discriminación y de goce pleno de derechos de la infancia y los adolescentes en el país.

Hay asuntos que azotan a la población infantil y adolescente LGBTI con mayor intensidad y frente a los cuales el Estado tiene el deber de pronunciarse; el más ensordecedor y cotidiano tiene que ver con el matoneo (bullying) de los pares y las prácticas discriminatorias de adultos, incluidas las propias familias y las directivas escolares. La muerte de Sergio Urrego en Bogotá, un adolescente de 16 años que se suicidó ante la discriminación y homofobia al parecer de las directivas de su escuela y de las demoras del sistema en atender sus demandas de protección, debería nombrarse y explorarse. Es importante asegurar que no hay equívoco en los esfuerzos del Estado en la implementación de los derechos constitucionales en la escuela y en la atenta vigilancia de su violación u omisión.

Otro asunto urgente es el de la estabilidad familiar, por ejemplo en el tema de la adopción por parejas del mismo sexo. La delegación presentó y fundamentó en sus intervenciones múltiples medidas de protección a la familia como garantías de derechos de niños, niñas y adolescentes. Sin embargo, tales medidas están incompletas y son discriminatorias si no se hace explícito que, en Colombia, esos avances y políticas no se implementan en las familias conformadas por parejas del mismo sexo. Aunque la Corte Constitucional en el 2014 otorgó el derecho a una madre no biológica de adoptar al hijo biológico de su pareja, las regulaciones del ICBF (Instituto Colombiano de Bienestar Familiar, que coordina las adopciones en el país) todavía consideran inviable jurídicamente que las parejas adoptantes sean del mismo sexo. El resultado previsible es que los niños y niñas de las familias no heterosexuales no gocen de los mismos derechos y garantías de los niños y niñas de parejas heterosexuales.

En sus conclusiones finales ante el comité en Ginebra la directora del ICBF afirmó que: “Colombia ha avanzado en el camino de la paz y los niños y niñas ocupan un lugar importante en las políticas públicas {pero señaló también que} hay desafíos en el horizonte, en especial, el de cerrar la brecha entre los niños rurales y urbanos, cuidar a los más vulnerables y continuar sin pausa la batalla contra la corrupción.”

En ese horizonte, donde, como dice la filósofa estadounidense Judith Butler, unos cuerpos importan más que otros, la obligación del Estado es garantizar que no haya jerarquías ni discriminaciones directas e indirectas en el marco jurídico y politico dedicado a proteger a los más vulnerables, entre ell*s, los niños, niñas y adolescentes lgbti. Tal vez un primer paso hacia la garantía plena de sus derechos sea romper el silencio.

For Immediate Release
28 January 2015

Media Contact: Suzanne Trimel, Communications  Director, +1-212-430-6018

(New York, N.Y.) – The International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission (IGLHRC) today applauded the Chilean legislature’s vote to allow civil unions for all people, including same-sex couples. The historic decision grants legal status to stable and permanent cohabitation by two people, without regard to either person’s sex or gender. The bill does not legalize same-sex marriage.

“This is a major step forward for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex Chileans and families who can now enter into a life partnership under the law assured of benefits and rights,” said María Mercedes Gómez, IGLHRC regional program coordinator for Latin America and the Caribbean. “It shows the dedication of the Chilean civil society, and the political will of the government. However, while we view this decision very positively, we also recognize the legal limits for civil partnerships. While this bill gives civil partners nearly all the rights and benefits of married couples, the ultimate goal must be full equality before the law, which includes the possibility of marriage.”

The Chamber of Deputies approved the bill with 78 votes in favor, following Senate approval. This final legislative step gives a green light for the bill to become law with President Michelle Bachelet’s signature.

The approved text comes after four years of deliberation and is based on recommendations from civil society organizations, including Fundación Iguales. Most importantly, the law expands the concept of family, assuring that the legal status of individuals entering the agreement is modified in the Civil Registry and that Family Courts implement the new processes. Under this law, children in cohabitating couples will be considered relatives by affinity and, if one of the parents becomes disabled, a family judge has the discretion to grant a civil partner custody of the children, without giving priority to biological family bonds. This law also guarantees child and family benefits, social security, and life-insurance benefits.

Karen Atala, a judge and board member of Fundación Iguales, said: “The LGBTI community, our partners, and families, are starting to see justice. Eleven years have passed since the Supreme Court of Chile ruled to take my daughters away from me because of prevailing stereotypes and prejudice.  It was the prejudices—and not our lives--that made lesbian relationships illegitimate and deemed our families to be anomalies. This law gives us legitimacy. We’re still working on gaining the full rights of marriage. We are not going to rest until we win full legal recognition for marriage, affiliation, and adoption.”

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Suzanne Trimel, 212-430-6018, strimel@iglhrc.org

(New York) — A ruling by the Constitutional Court of Colombia has limited the rights of same-sex couples to consensual adoption, which the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission (IGLHRC) said deprives adopted children in such families of basic rights and blocks adoptions by same-sex couples.

María Mercedes Gómez, Latin America and Caribbean program coordinator for IGLHRC, said: “While we celebrate the ratification of consensual adoption for same-sex couples, there are many diverse families that are already living with adopted children, and they, for now, will continue to live without access to the full enjoyment of their rights because neither of their parents is their biological parent. Therefore, limiting same-sex adoption to consensual adoption, is not only an unjust limitation on the future plans of same-sex families seeking to adopt children, but discriminatory for children who are being deprived of their fundamental rights at this precise moment.”

The ruling by the Constitutional Court of Colombia on Wednesday limited the rights of same-sex couples to consensual adoption—which can only occur when one of the partners is the biological parent of the child. In a tweet sent at 8:07 p.m. (from Bogotá), the court said, “Same-sex couples are only allowed to adopt when the request concerns the biological child of a permanent partner.”

The announcement confirms the decision of SU-617 from 2014 that granted the right of a lesbian to adopt her partner’s biological child. That sentence, now guaranteeing the right in all similar cases, said that the sexual orientation of the couple seeking to adopt cannot be an obstacle to recognizing “the existence of a family arrangement in which the minor, by will of their biological parent, shares their life with their parent’s same-sex partner with whom they share a solid and stable bond, and in which the adult has assumed the obligations and associated responsibilities of the parent-child relationship.”

Colombia Diversa, in its press release stated: “LGBT people can apply for adoption of children as individuals or request adoption to protect their partner’s children… [but one must not forget] that adopted children and biological children have the same rights and one must not discriminate between them.”

http://live.huffingtonpost.com/r/segment/queerview-arkansas-anti-gay-bil...

From an anti-gay bill in Arkansas to the appointment of America's first-ever LGBT human rights envoy, HuffPost Live shines a spotlight on the most noteworthy LGBT stories of the week.

Originally aired on February 26, 2015

Hosted by: Josh Zepps

Guests:
Kendra Johnson @hrc (Little Rock, AR) State Director, HRC Arkansas
Maria Mercedes Gomez (Halifax, Canada) International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission
Adam Guerra @venusdlite (Los Angeles , CA) Madonna Impersonator
Alex Miller @AlexGAMiller (New York, NY) Global Head of Content, VICE

We, the undersigned non-governmental organizations and activists working for the promotion and protection of human rights and empowerment of all persons, regardless of their sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or intersex status, would like to express both disappointment and cautious optimism on the occasion of the adoption of the Political Declaration at the 59th Session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women.

We are deeply disappointed with how the process leading up to the adoption of this year’s Political Declaration of the Commission on the Status of Women has unfolded, as the closing of negotiations before the formal start of the Commission has meant there has been no effective process of consultation with civil society.

It is important to ensure that all UN processes include meaningful participation of civil society and that a diverse array of voices informs all UN processes. Lesbians, bisexual women, trans and intersex persons have been involved in organizing in UN women’s spaces, prior, during, and after the development and implementation of the Beijing Platform. We are here to remind you that, twenty years ago in Beijing, sexual orientation was discussed openly and extensively. In other UN fora these issues are still discussed openly and supported widely. We demand the same level of inclusion at the Commission on the Status of Women.

Even in the face of this disrespect for our rights, we are cautiously optimistic that this Political Declaration can help guide States as they move forward towards a fuller and more equal implementation of the Beijing vision.

• We are optimistic because many governments expressed concern with the uneven progress towards Beijing priorities, in part because of the persistence of intersecting forms of discrimination, marginalization, and vulnerability that affect different groups of women and girls.
• We are optimistic because governments pledged to take concrete actions to overcome gender stereotypes, transform discriminatory norms and strengthen implementation of laws and policies for all women and girls.
• We are also optimistic because the Political Declaration acknowledges the need to empower all women and girls through a transformative Post-2015 negotiation process. 

None of this is enough.

Moving forward, we call for bold leadership from governments in implementing a true vision for transformative development and empowerment that also benefit lesbians and bisexual women, and trans and intersex persons.

Our realities, work, and organizing demonstrate dire need for this leadership.  Individual women and girls, as well as specific groups of women and girls, are excluded from social benefits and the protection of the law because of whom we love, what we look like, the work we do, or because we exercise bodily autonomy and choice. This exclusion constitutes a violation of our most basic rights, and is incompatible with the goals of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action.

We have insisted that the Post-2015 agenda acknowledge the devastating impact of intersecting discrimination and marginalization in our lives everywhere. Study after study concludes that individuals stigmatized or targeted because of their actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity face discrimination, violence and bullying that can force them out of schools; people assumed to be lesbian, bisexual, trans, or intersex are kicked out of housing or denied employment; legal and socially condoned discrimination against our communities marginalizes many of us, putting us at additional risk of violence, HIV, and other health problems. Discrimination and stigma further prevent us from seeking needed care. Too often, the result is preventable suffering and poverty.

We demand that governments move towards a truly transformative Post-2015 agenda. Such an agenda must address the devastating effects of high levels of violence, climate change, unsustainable and unjust economic systems that affect us all, in particular vulnerable and marginalized groups such as LBTI persons. This agenda must be human rights based, ecologically sustainable and adhere to global development partnership agreements based on historical responsibility and common but differentiated responsibilities of all countries. The agenda must also overcome social and structural barriers that exclude persons on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, and intersex status.

As the Post-2015 negotiations continue, we demand to be recognized in these negotiations that directly impact our communities and lives. We refuse to be rendered invisible, or to have development policies touted as progress even as they ignore, marginalize or create further risk for us.  Going forward, we demand accountability and transparency in negotiations, and meaningful and equal recognition in education, work, governance, economy, social security, health care and all other areas of concern. We will continue our work and organizing to see these demands met.

Our lives are nonnegotiable.

Access Chapter 2, South Africa
Action Canada for Sexual Health and Rights, Canada
Advocates for Youth, United States
AIDS Accountability International (AAI), South Africa
AIDS Legal Network (ALN), South Africa
Akahata-Equipo de Trabajo en Sexualidades y Géneros, Latin America Region
ARC International, Global
Associação ILGA Portugal - Intervenção Lésbica, Gay, Bissexual e Transgénero, Portugal
Association for critical approach to gender and sexuality SUBVERSIVE FRONT Skopje (S-FRONT), Macedonia
Astraea Lesbian Foundation for Justice, United States
Balance, México
Barbados - Gays, Lesbians and All-Sexuals against Discrimination (B-GLAD), Barbados
Canadian HIV/AIDS Legal Network, Canada
Centre for the Development of People (CEDEP), Malawi
Centro de Promoción y Defensa de los Derechos Sexuales y Reproductivos (PROMSEX), Perú
Chinese Lala Alliance (CLA), Regional
Clóset de Sor Juana AC, México
COC Netherlands (COC), Netherlands
The Danish National Organisation for Gay Men, Lesbians, Bisexuals and Transgender persons (LGBT Denmark), Denmark
Diverlex Diversidad e Igualdad a Través de la Ley (Diverlex), Venezuela
Diverse Voices and Action for Equality (DIVA for Equality), Fiji
Drodrolagi Movement (droMo), Fiji
Eager Beaver, Indonesia
EQUAL GROUND (EG), Sri Lanka
Euroregional Center for Public Initiatives (ECPI), Romania
The Fellowship of Reconciliation (FOR), United States
Fiji Women's Rights Movement (FWRM), Fiji/Pacific
FOKUS - Forum for Women for Development, Norway
Fokus Muda (Indonesian Young Key Population Network), Indonesia
Freedom House, United States
Fundación Arcoíris por el Respeto a la Diversidad Sexual (Fundación Arcoíris), México
Gamacca Community, Indonesia
Gender Proud, United States
Global Action for Trans* Equality (GATE), Global
Global Inklusi untuk Perlindungan AIDS, Indonesia
Global Justice Institute (GJI), United States
Haus of Khameleon (HK), Fiji
Human Rights Campaign (HRC), United States
Humanist Institute for Co-operation with Developing Countries (Hivos), The Netherlands
IDAHO-T International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia Committee, Global
The Inner Circle (TIC), South Africa
Instituto Runa de Desarrollo y Estudios sobre Género (Instituto Runa), Peru
International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission (IGLHRC), United States
International Lesbian and Gay Association (ILGA), Global
The International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer Youth and Student Organisation (IGLYO), Europe Region
International Women's Health Coalition (IWHC), United States
Iranti org, South Africa
Just Associates (Jass), Americas Region
Komunitas Sehati Makassar (KSM), Indonesia
Kvenréttindafélag Íslands (KRFÍ), Iceland
Manodiversa Asociacion Civil (MANODIVERSA), Bolivia
Metropolitan Community Churches (MCC), United States
Micro Rainbow International (MRI), United Kingdom
msulmans inclusifs de france (MIF), Paris France
Muslim Alliance for Sexual & Gender Diversity (MASGD), United States
Muslims for Progressive Values (MPV), United States
Network of European LGBT Families Associations (NELFA), Belgium
The Norwegian Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender organization (LLH), Norway
Organisation Intersex International Australia Limited (OII Australia), Australia
Pacific Islands Safety and Prevention Project Inc. (the Project), New Zealand
Pacific Sexual Diversity Network (PSDN), Tonga
Pan Africa ILGA (PAI), Africa Region
Pathways of Women's Empowerment, Global
People's Arts Collective of New Haven (PAC), United States
Promoting Rights and Equality for Society's Marginalized - Philippines, Inc. (PRISM-Phils., Inc.), Philippines
Quality of Citizenship Jamaica (QCJ), Jamaica
Rainbow Action South Korea, South Korea
Rainbow Pride Foundation (RPRFL), Fiji
Russian LGBT Network, Russia
Samoa AIDS Foundation (SAN), Samoa
Sexuality Policy Watch (SPW), Brazil
Social, Health and Empowerment (S.H.E), Africa Region
Solidarity Alliance for Human Rights (SAHR), Nigeria
St. Paul's Foundation for International Reconciliation, United States
Stichting Global Alliance for LGBT Education (GALE), Netherlands/Global
Stonewall, United Kingdom
The Swedish Federation for LGBTQ Rights (RFSL), Sweden
Swiss lesbian organisation (LOS), Switzerland
Swiss Rainbow Families Association, Switzerland
Taiwan Tongzhi (LGBT) Hotline Association (TTHA), Taiwan
Thomas Ndayiragije (webnews), South Africa
Tonga Leitis Association (TLA), Tonga
United and Strong Inc (U&S), Saint Lucia
United Belize Advocacy Movement (UniBAM), Belize
Urgent Action Fund for Women's Human Rights (UAF), United States
Without Restrictions (Lutter contre l'homophobie), Tunisia
Women and Media Collective (WMC), Sri Lanka
Women' S Way Foundation (WSWF), Suriname
Women's Health and Equal Rights Initiative (WHER), Nigeria

To add your organization's signature, visit: http://goo.gl/V5wYT2

Dear Friends,

Good news! I’m writing to share with you the government of Colombia’s unprecedented step to confront LGBTI violence nationwide.

From March 26 – 27, María Mercedes Gómez, our Latin America and Caribbean program coordinator, traveled to Bogotá at the invitation of the National Prosecutor’s Office to participate in an historic two-day meeting.

She was one of three main speakers at the conference about LGBTI violence, which brought together 75 prosecutors from all parts of the country and was attended by both the Minister of the Interior and the Minister of Justice.

“This is the first time in which we have seen such strong political will to confront violence against LGBTI Colombians,” said María Mercedes. “We have to take advantage of this historic moment to move toward concrete reforms”

María Mercedes met ahead of time with Colombian LGBTI groups to develop recommendations for the authorities. In her talk to the prosecutors, she advised a systematic, centralized approach to collecting data on crimes against LGBTI people; continuing training of officials; and working closely with civil society.

After five decades of armed conflict, confronting violence wherever it is found represents a significant commitment by the National Prosecutor’s Office. Certainly, addressing anti-LGBTI violence holds great hope for Colombia’s ability to adopt justice system reforms post-conflict.

Over the months and years ahead, we look forward to updating you about María Mercedes’ continued engagement on this challenging but now promising issue.

Thank you,

Jessica Stern
Executive Director

P.S. I hope you’ll consider supporting IGLHRC's crucial work by joining a group of our allies and supporters for what is sure to be a wonderful evening in NYC on June 3rd at Fun Home, Alison Bechdel's award-winning musical, now on Broadway. Become an IGLHRC #FunHomeFan now (http://iglhrc.org/funhome) before the best seats are taken!

Sign up to receive IGLHRC Updates and Postcards directly. Visit http://iglhrc.org/subscribe.

por: Andrés Rivera Duarte, Consultor DDHH e Identidad de Género, Chile

(Read in English.)

El 7 de mayo del 2013, Ximena Rincón, Juan Pablo Letelier, Ricardo Lagos, Camilo Escalona y Lily Pérez, parlamentarios de differentes partidos políticos, presentaron ante el Congreso de Chile el proyecto de ley de reconocimiento de la identidad de género. Este proyecto fue elaborado por la abogada Ximena Gauché Marchetti con el apoyo de Andrés Rivera Duarte, entonces director ejecutivo de la Organización de Transsexuales por la Dignidad de la Diversidad (OTD).

Ximena Rincón haciendo una entrevista sobre el proyecto.

El Congreso votó y aprobó, con 29 votos a favor y 3 abstenciones, la idea de legislar sobre este asunto.  De ahí el proyecto pasó a la Comisión de Derechos Humanos del Senado, comisión que durante 13 sesiones invitó a diferentes expertos para oír sus diversos puntos de vista, algunos centrados en la religión, otros en la biología y otros en los derechos humanos.  

Hasta diciembre del año 2014,  mientras el presidente de la comisión de derechos humanos fue el Senador Manuel Matta, hubo una serie de debates sobre las indicaciones a seguir en la ley, incluyendo una indicación de la Senadora Lily Pérez para que la ley incluya protecciones y reconocimientos a  niñas, niños y adolescentes trans. Además de esto, la comisión  votó a favor de los siguientes artículos:

Andrés Rivera (autor) muestra la ley en el día de ingreso.

• ARTICULO 1.  Del Derecho a la Identidad de Género.
• ARTICULO 2.  Definición Identidad de Género de Principios de Yogyakarta.
• ARTICULO 3.  Del Ejercicio del Derecho.
• ARTICULO 4. Requisitos para el Ejercicio del Derecho (sin operaciones, sin certificados psicológicos y/o Psiquiátricos , sin tratamiento hormonal)
• ARTICULO 5. Tribunal Competente, Tribunal de Familia.
• ARTICULO 6.  De la Tramitación, no contencioso (significa sin abogado) , sin exámenes médicos.

Durante el período legislativo del año 2015, hubo cambios en la Comisión y la Senadora Jacqueline Van Rysselbergue, de un partido de derecha, asumió su presidencia. Ella ha expresado en varias ocasiones su desacuerdo con el proyecto y ha retrasado su discusión al no ponerlo en la agenda.

Necesitamos ahora tener voluntad política de parte del Gobierno para apurar los procesos, y apoyo de las organizaciones de la sociedad civil, para que este proyecto de ley sea inclusivo de todas las personas trans, aquellas solteras sin hijos, solteras con hijos, casadas con y sin hijos, y sobre todo niñas, niños y adolescentes trans.

Esperamos que la dignidad y el respeto por todas las personas trans sea el eje y el motor que motive a nuestras y nuestros legisladoras/es para que en el transcurso de este año, Chile pueda tener una ley que reconozca la identidad de género y así, a las personas trans se les devuelva la dignidad pisoteada por un carnet de identidad que no refleja su verdadera identidad de género.

By: Andrés Rivera Duarte, Human Rights and Gender Identity Consultant, Chile

(Leer en español.)

On May 7, 2013, Ximena Gauché Marchetti, Juan Pablo Letelier, Ricardo Lagos, Camilo Escalona, and Lily Pérez—members of the Chilean Parliament from different parties—introduced the Bill for Recognition of Gender Identity at Chile’s Congress. This Bill was developed by the lawyer Ximena Gauché Marchetti with support from Andrés Rivera Duarte who, at the time, was executive director of the Organization of Transsexuals for Dignity and Diversity (Organización de Transsexuales por la Dignidad y la Diversidad (OTD)).

Ximena Rincón being interviewed about the introduction of the bill.

In a plenary vote, lawmakers approved the idea of the bill with a vote of 29 in favor and 3 abstentions. The bill was then passed on to the Human Rights Commission of the Senate, which, over the course of 13 sessions, invited various experts to share their point of view, some from a religous standpoint, some with a biological lens and others based on respect for human rights.

Until December 2014, while Senator Manuel Matta served as President of the Human Rights Commission, there were several debates on recommendations for inclusions and improvements to be made to the bill, including a recommendation from Senator Lily Peréz to incorporate protections for trans children and adolscents. In addition to this recommendation, which was approved, the Commission has, to date, approved the following articles:

Andrés Rivera (author) displays the proposed bill on the day of its introduction.

• Article 1: The right to Gender Identity
• Arictle 2: Gender Identity defined by the Yogyakarta Principles
• Article 3: Exercise of Rights
• Article 4: Requirements for the exercicse of rights (without surgery, psycological or psychiatric approval, nor hormone replacement therapy)
• Article 5: Competent Authority, Family Tribunal
• Article 6:  Processing, no laywer needed, without medical exams.

During the 2015 legislative period, there was a change in the commission with right-wing Senator Jacqueline Van Rysselbergue joining the commission and becoming its President. Senator Rysselbergue is not only opposed to this bill, which she has made clear in several interviews, she has delayed discussions and refuses to table the bill for discussion.

Today we must secure the Government’s will to push the bill forward, but we also must secure more support from civil soceity organizations, to ensure that this bill is inclusive of all trans people—those who are single or married, with or without children, and above all, the law must include all trans children and adolescents.

We hope that the dignity and respect for trans people will be the essence and the engine that motivates our legislators so that in the course of this year Chile can have a law that recognizes gender identity and that dignity is restored to trans people who have been denied their dignity by being forced to use an identification card that does not reflect their true gender identity.

Read More »

The US supreme court’s ruling that same-sex marriage is a legal right across the country marks a milestone in the march for equality.

But the ever-expanding rainbow map of America, bolstered by the Friday verdict, is in stark contrast to the state of LGBT rights in the rest of the world, where as many as 80 countries are still hostile toward gay people.

Despite recent progress in the US, Latin America and even Ireland – one of the most conservative societies in Europe – the global campaign for the rights of sexual minorities has experienced a series of setbacks in other regions including Africa and the Middle East.

Fewer than 1 billion of the world’s population live in countries where same-sex marriage or civil unions are recognised, compared to almost 2.8 billion living in countries which criminalise gay people and impose severe punishments on homosexuality, such as imprisonment, lashings and even death sentences.

In around 10 countries, homosexuality is punishable by death, including Saudi Arabia, Iran, United Arab Emirates, Sudan, Brunei.

Jessica Stern, the Executive Director of the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission (IGLHRC), welcomed the US supreme court’s ruling on Friday but said that the campainers’ work is far from over.

“Today and for weeks and months to come, Americans will celebrate today’s historic ruing – a dream come true for tens of thousands of [people],” she said. “The US has joined 19 other countries in recognition of the freedom to marry for same-sex couples nationwide and yet, our work is far from over – not in the US and not around the world.”

She added: “Marriage equality is one slice of the pie, but homophobia and transphobia morph into different shapes in law and practice. Nearly 80 countries still criminalize same-sex intimacy and countless prohibit so-called ‘cross-dressing’.”

Read More »

May 17th marks the 11th annual International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia (IDAHOT), recognized worldwide as a day to bring attention to lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender issues. In some places activists stage community protests and marches, some celebrate with parades and public gatherings while others of us celebrate in the safety of homes or offices, avoiding the risk of exposure.

This year, the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission asked some of our partners and friends, including Nobel Peace Prize laureate Shirin Ebadi, to tell us what a world without homophobia, lesbophobia, biphobia and transpobia means to them. How is the world different? Better?

Their responses create an inspirational picture for the future, but also underscore the damaging effect discrimination and hate have on lives of LGBT people everywhere.

Joe Wong, a trans man from Singapore told us, "A world without transphobia would mean not having to erase my past ever, allowing me to embrace every part of myself wholly. It would mean having immediate access to my loved one in case of an accident and equal opportunity to adopt and have a family, without people thinking that I'll force my child to be queer."

Muhammad Falak, from Pakistan, shared, "As someone who believes in Sufi Islam, I have learned that people in Pakistan are of the view that it is a homo-friendly country. On the other hand, I see no one feeling sorry or raising their voices when a transgender person is murdered. I felt sad when no one condemned two serial killers of gays who were arrested in Lahore and Faisalabad. No one openly supports or expresses their support to resolve human rights issues of the LGBT community."  

In light of this, Falak believes, "A world without homophobia, biphobia and transphobia is a world that is more accepting and inclusive. Every life is precious and cared for."

Iranian Nobel Peace Prize laureate Shirin Ebadi told us, "A world without homophobia, biphobia, and transphobia is a place where people respect each other's differences.  Where life decisions are a private matter not judged by unconcerned others."

Angeline Jackson, a Jamaican activist who President Obama recognized for her work, shared "Societies divided by phobias and ‘isms’ will never fully advance. The lives of those affected by homophobia, biphobia and transphobia affects all of society. A world without bi-, trans- and homophobia means a world where there is no them, it is a world of us, a world where our humanity unites us and we work together for the good of our world.”

Humphrey Ndondo, from Zimbabwe, shared his vision with us in a photo, which reads: “A world without homophobia is a world where being SOOOO… GAY! Is NOT used as an insulting slur but a CELEBRATION OF DIVERSITY.”

Leigh Ann van der Merwe, a trans woman from South Africa, shared: "In a world without transphobia, I won’t have to explain what (trans)gender is. Everyone will understand gender in all its diversity beyond the binary of male and female. I will live in a world where the healthcare system offers gender responsive healthcare, and be appointed to or declined for an employment opportunity based on my competence, and not my gender identity".

To read more of these perspectives and share the ones that you’re most inspired by, visit us on Facebook and Twitter throughout the day on May 17th. Please share, and send us a tweet or comment telling us: What does a world without homophobia, lesbophobia, biphobia and transphobia mean to you?

Our gratitude to all those who participated!

Angeline Jackson, Quality of Citizenship Jamaica

Humphrey Ndondo, Zimbabwe, Sexual Rights Centre

Joe Wong, Singapore, Asia Pacific Trans Network

Leigh Ann van der Merwe, South Africa, SHE, social, health and empowerment feminist collective of transgender and intersex women of Africa

Minhee Ryu, Korean Lawyers for Public Interest and Human Rights and Korean Society of Law and Policy on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity

Muhammad Falak, Pakistan, Neengar Society

Natasha Jiménez, Costa Rica, Mulabi

Saghi Ghahraman, Iranian Queer Organization - IRQO

Shirin Ebadi, Iran, Nobel Peace Prize Laureate

Stone, Trans Bantu Zambia

Download the Caribbean
Media Training Manual (PDF)

With the power to shape public opinion and influence decision-makers, the media has a responsibility to accurately and fairly present information in an unbiased way. The media can use its power to preserve or transform social practices, enhance or detract from democratic principles and discourse and uphold or expose biased political, religious and economic interests.

Central to modern media is, ideally, a commitment to the production, provision, and sharing of free, independent and fair information as the foundation for democratic processes. By honoring this commitment media can transform cultural practices of discrimination and exclusion and guarantee respect and civility at all levels of society. Media is crucial to the ways a society sees itself and its fellow citizens.

In this guide, we present key elements to support independent, fair and accurate reporting on issues related to sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, inclusiveness and safety and security for all people.

In 2014, we conducted a media-monitoring project in Belize, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, and Saint Lucia. The study identified key problems with media coverage of LGBTI issues in the Caribbean; we found reporting that lacked nuance, was silent about the issues related to the LGBTI community and its concern or over-exposed individuals, along with sensationalistic and injurious coverage, and reporting that pathologized LGBTI peoples or indulged conspiracy theories.

Our study found that the media is essential to the safety and security of LGBTI people in societies where public opinion and understanding of the issue are highly polarized. Uninformed reporting reinforced negative stereotypes and directly compromised the lives and livelihoods of LGBTI people and advocates in the countries we looked at. We also found that informed media can help to shed light on issues, create open and progressive public debate, and help ensure the safety and security of LGBTI people.

The manual is divided into five sections:

• Section 1 lists basic definitions of sexualities, gender identities and expressions, as well as terms related to issues affecting the naming of sexual and gender multiplicity.
• Section 2 identifies and defines categories that are negative and customary to naming individuals perceived as LGBTI in Belize, Guyana, Grenada, Jamaica and Saint Lucia (i.e. homophobic, lesbophobic, and transphobic terms).
• Section 3 defines prejudice and outlines how media reporting on sexual orientation, gender identity and expression can promote inclusion and respect.
• Section 4 analyzes a case where negative stereotypes are prominent in the news.
• Section 5 provides additional sources of information for journalists.

Read the accompanying report, "Homophobia and Transphobia in the Caribbean: A Baseline Study of Belize, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica and Saint Lucia"

El Estado colombiano decidió no tocar el tema de la niñez y adolescencia LGBTI durante su reunión con el comité sobre los derechos del niño el 20 y 21 de enero de 2015 en Ginebra. El silencio del Estado ante la pregunta del Comité (parte 1 número 6) sobre población infantil y adolescente vulnerable a ser discriminada por estereotipos de género, orientación sexual e identidad de género, es un silencio que dice más que las palabras. 

Palacio de las Naciones, ONU Ginebra. Foto por UN Photo.

El Estado expuso las medidas tomadas para las otras poblaciones vulnerables, en especial, indígenas y afrocolombianos, y—por lo demás—la delegación colombiana en Ginebra concentró sus esfuerzos en señalar, con fundamento, los desafíos de atender a la población infantil y adolescente afectada por el conflicto armado en el actual proceso de paz y de justicia transicional. La situación de niñas, niños y adolescentes en el país está, sin duda, atravesada y herida por la violencia derivada del conflicto armado y de los estragos del desplazamiento interno: alrededor de 5 millones de personas han sido desplazadas en Colombia, mitad de las cuales son menores.

Sin embargo, el silencio sobre niños, niñas y adolescentes LGBTI—muchos de los cuales son desplazados, afro descendientes, indígenas y niños y niñas en situación de calle, vulnerables de manera especial a la violencia sexual, intrafamiliar y a la violencia ejercida por los actores armados—afecta las garantías de no discriminación y de goce pleno de derechos de la infancia y los adolescentes en el país.

Hay asuntos que azotan a la población infantil y adolescente LGBTI con mayor intensidad y frente a los cuales el Estado tiene el deber de pronunciarse; el más ensordecedor y cotidiano tiene que ver con el matoneo (bullying) de los pares y las prácticas discriminatorias de adultos, incluidas las propias familias y las directivas escolares. La muerte de Sergio Urrego en Bogotá, un adolescente de 16 años que se suicidó ante la discriminación y homofobia al parecer de las directivas de su escuela y de las demoras del sistema en atender sus demandas de protección, debería nombrarse y explorarse. Es importante asegurar que no hay equívoco en los esfuerzos del Estado en la implementación de los derechos constitucionales en la escuela y en la atenta vigilancia de su violación u omisión.

Otro asunto urgente es el de la estabilidad familiar, por ejemplo en el tema de la adopción por parejas del mismo sexo. La delegación presentó y fundamentó en sus intervenciones múltiples medidas de protección a la familia como garantías de derechos de niños, niñas y adolescentes. Sin embargo, tales medidas están incompletas y son discriminatorias si no se hace explícito que, en Colombia, esos avances y políticas no se implementan en las familias conformadas por parejas del mismo sexo. Aunque la Corte Constitucional en el 2014 otorgó el derecho a una madre no biológica de adoptar al hijo biológico de su pareja, las regulaciones del ICBF (Instituto Colombiano de Bienestar Familiar, que coordina las adopciones en el país) todavía consideran inviable jurídicamente que las parejas adoptantes sean del mismo sexo. El resultado previsible es que los niños y niñas de las familias no heterosexuales no gocen de los mismos derechos y garantías de los niños y niñas de parejas heterosexuales.

En sus conclusiones finales ante el comité en Ginebra la directora del ICBF afirmó que: “Colombia ha avanzado en el camino de la paz y los niños y niñas ocupan un lugar importante en las políticas públicas {pero señaló también que} hay desafíos en el horizonte, en especial, el de cerrar la brecha entre los niños rurales y urbanos, cuidar a los más vulnerables y continuar sin pausa la batalla contra la corrupción.”

En ese horizonte, donde, como dice la filósofa estadounidense Judith Butler, unos cuerpos importan más que otros, la obligación del Estado es garantizar que no haya jerarquías ni discriminaciones directas e indirectas en el marco jurídico y politico dedicado a proteger a los más vulnerables, entre ell*s, los niños, niñas y adolescentes lgbti. Tal vez un primer paso hacia la garantía plena de sus derechos sea romper el silencio.

For Immediate Release
28 January 2015

Media Contact: Suzanne Trimel, Communications  Director, +1-212-430-6018

(New York, N.Y.) – The International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission (IGLHRC) today applauded the Chilean legislature’s vote to allow civil unions for all people, including same-sex couples. The historic decision grants legal status to stable and permanent cohabitation by two people, without regard to either person’s sex or gender. The bill does not legalize same-sex marriage.

“This is a major step forward for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex Chileans and families who can now enter into a life partnership under the law assured of benefits and rights,” said María Mercedes Gómez, IGLHRC regional program coordinator for Latin America and the Caribbean. “It shows the dedication of the Chilean civil society, and the political will of the government. However, while we view this decision very positively, we also recognize the legal limits for civil partnerships. While this bill gives civil partners nearly all the rights and benefits of married couples, the ultimate goal must be full equality before the law, which includes the possibility of marriage.”

The Chamber of Deputies approved the bill with 78 votes in favor, following Senate approval. This final legislative step gives a green light for the bill to become law with President Michelle Bachelet’s signature.

The approved text comes after four years of deliberation and is based on recommendations from civil society organizations, including Fundación Iguales. Most importantly, the law expands the concept of family, assuring that the legal status of individuals entering the agreement is modified in the Civil Registry and that Family Courts implement the new processes. Under this law, children in cohabitating couples will be considered relatives by affinity and, if one of the parents becomes disabled, a family judge has the discretion to grant a civil partner custody of the children, without giving priority to biological family bonds. This law also guarantees child and family benefits, social security, and life-insurance benefits.

Karen Atala, a judge and board member of Fundación Iguales, said: “The LGBTI community, our partners, and families, are starting to see justice. Eleven years have passed since the Supreme Court of Chile ruled to take my daughters away from me because of prevailing stereotypes and prejudice.  It was the prejudices—and not our lives--that made lesbian relationships illegitimate and deemed our families to be anomalies. This law gives us legitimacy. We’re still working on gaining the full rights of marriage. We are not going to rest until we win full legal recognition for marriage, affiliation, and adoption.”

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Suzanne Trimel, 212-430-6018, strimel@iglhrc.org

(New York) — A ruling by the Constitutional Court of Colombia has limited the rights of same-sex couples to consensual adoption, which the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission (IGLHRC) said deprives adopted children in such families of basic rights and blocks adoptions by same-sex couples.

María Mercedes Gómez, Latin America and Caribbean program coordinator for IGLHRC, said: “While we celebrate the ratification of consensual adoption for same-sex couples, there are many diverse families that are already living with adopted children, and they, for now, will continue to live without access to the full enjoyment of their rights because neither of their parents is their biological parent. Therefore, limiting same-sex adoption to consensual adoption, is not only an unjust limitation on the future plans of same-sex families seeking to adopt children, but discriminatory for children who are being deprived of their fundamental rights at this precise moment.”

The ruling by the Constitutional Court of Colombia on Wednesday limited the rights of same-sex couples to consensual adoption—which can only occur when one of the partners is the biological parent of the child. In a tweet sent at 8:07 p.m. (from Bogotá), the court said, “Same-sex couples are only allowed to adopt when the request concerns the biological child of a permanent partner.”

The announcement confirms the decision of SU-617 from 2014 that granted the right of a lesbian to adopt her partner’s biological child. That sentence, now guaranteeing the right in all similar cases, said that the sexual orientation of the couple seeking to adopt cannot be an obstacle to recognizing “the existence of a family arrangement in which the minor, by will of their biological parent, shares their life with their parent’s same-sex partner with whom they share a solid and stable bond, and in which the adult has assumed the obligations and associated responsibilities of the parent-child relationship.”

Colombia Diversa, in its press release stated: “LGBT people can apply for adoption of children as individuals or request adoption to protect their partner’s children… [but one must not forget] that adopted children and biological children have the same rights and one must not discriminate between them.”

http://live.huffingtonpost.com/r/segment/queerview-arkansas-anti-gay-bil...

From an anti-gay bill in Arkansas to the appointment of America's first-ever LGBT human rights envoy, HuffPost Live shines a spotlight on the most noteworthy LGBT stories of the week.

Originally aired on February 26, 2015

Hosted by: Josh Zepps

Guests:
Kendra Johnson @hrc (Little Rock, AR) State Director, HRC Arkansas
Maria Mercedes Gomez (Halifax, Canada) International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission
Adam Guerra @venusdlite (Los Angeles , CA) Madonna Impersonator
Alex Miller @AlexGAMiller (New York, NY) Global Head of Content, VICE

We, the undersigned non-governmental organizations and activists working for the promotion and protection of human rights and empowerment of all persons, regardless of their sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or intersex status, would like to express both disappointment and cautious optimism on the occasion of the adoption of the Political Declaration at the 59th Session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women.

We are deeply disappointed with how the process leading up to the adoption of this year’s Political Declaration of the Commission on the Status of Women has unfolded, as the closing of negotiations before the formal start of the Commission has meant there has been no effective process of consultation with civil society.

It is important to ensure that all UN processes include meaningful participation of civil society and that a diverse array of voices informs all UN processes. Lesbians, bisexual women, trans and intersex persons have been involved in organizing in UN women’s spaces, prior, during, and after the development and implementation of the Beijing Platform. We are here to remind you that, twenty years ago in Beijing, sexual orientation was discussed openly and extensively. In other UN fora these issues are still discussed openly and supported widely. We demand the same level of inclusion at the Commission on the Status of Women.

Even in the face of this disrespect for our rights, we are cautiously optimistic that this Political Declaration can help guide States as they move forward towards a fuller and more equal implementation of the Beijing vision.

• We are optimistic because many governments expressed concern with the uneven progress towards Beijing priorities, in part because of the persistence of intersecting forms of discrimination, marginalization, and vulnerability that affect different groups of women and girls.
• We are optimistic because governments pledged to take concrete actions to overcome gender stereotypes, transform discriminatory norms and strengthen implementation of laws and policies for all women and girls.
• We are also optimistic because the Political Declaration acknowledges the need to empower all women and girls through a transformative Post-2015 negotiation process. 

None of this is enough.

Moving forward, we call for bold leadership from governments in implementing a true vision for transformative development and empowerment that also benefit lesbians and bisexual women, and trans and intersex persons.

Our realities, work, and organizing demonstrate dire need for this leadership.  Individual women and girls, as well as specific groups of women and girls, are excluded from social benefits and the protection of the law because of whom we love, what we look like, the work we do, or because we exercise bodily autonomy and choice. This exclusion constitutes a violation of our most basic rights, and is incompatible with the goals of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action.

We have insisted that the Post-2015 agenda acknowledge the devastating impact of intersecting discrimination and marginalization in our lives everywhere. Study after study concludes that individuals stigmatized or targeted because of their actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity face discrimination, violence and bullying that can force them out of schools; people assumed to be lesbian, bisexual, trans, or intersex are kicked out of housing or denied employment; legal and socially condoned discrimination against our communities marginalizes many of us, putting us at additional risk of violence, HIV, and other health problems. Discrimination and stigma further prevent us from seeking needed care. Too often, the result is preventable suffering and poverty.

We demand that governments move towards a truly transformative Post-2015 agenda. Such an agenda must address the devastating effects of high levels of violence, climate change, unsustainable and unjust economic systems that affect us all, in particular vulnerable and marginalized groups such as LBTI persons. This agenda must be human rights based, ecologically sustainable and adhere to global development partnership agreements based on historical responsibility and common but differentiated responsibilities of all countries. The agenda must also overcome social and structural barriers that exclude persons on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, and intersex status.

As the Post-2015 negotiations continue, we demand to be recognized in these negotiations that directly impact our communities and lives. We refuse to be rendered invisible, or to have development policies touted as progress even as they ignore, marginalize or create further risk for us.  Going forward, we demand accountability and transparency in negotiations, and meaningful and equal recognition in education, work, governance, economy, social security, health care and all other areas of concern. We will continue our work and organizing to see these demands met.

Our lives are nonnegotiable.

Access Chapter 2, South Africa
Action Canada for Sexual Health and Rights, Canada
Advocates for Youth, United States
AIDS Accountability International (AAI), South Africa
AIDS Legal Network (ALN), South Africa
Akahata-Equipo de Trabajo en Sexualidades y Géneros, Latin America Region
ARC International, Global
Associação ILGA Portugal - Intervenção Lésbica, Gay, Bissexual e Transgénero, Portugal
Association for critical approach to gender and sexuality SUBVERSIVE FRONT Skopje (S-FRONT), Macedonia
Astraea Lesbian Foundation for Justice, United States
Balance, México
Barbados - Gays, Lesbians and All-Sexuals against Discrimination (B-GLAD), Barbados
Canadian HIV/AIDS Legal Network, Canada
Centre for the Development of People (CEDEP), Malawi
Centro de Promoción y Defensa de los Derechos Sexuales y Reproductivos (PROMSEX), Perú
Chinese Lala Alliance (CLA), Regional
Clóset de Sor Juana AC, México
COC Netherlands (COC), Netherlands
The Danish National Organisation for Gay Men, Lesbians, Bisexuals and Transgender persons (LGBT Denmark), Denmark
Diverlex Diversidad e Igualdad a Través de la Ley (Diverlex), Venezuela
Diverse Voices and Action for Equality (DIVA for Equality), Fiji
Drodrolagi Movement (droMo), Fiji
Eager Beaver, Indonesia
EQUAL GROUND (EG), Sri Lanka
Euroregional Center for Public Initiatives (ECPI), Romania
The Fellowship of Reconciliation (FOR), United States
Fiji Women's Rights Movement (FWRM), Fiji/Pacific
FOKUS - Forum for Women for Development, Norway
Fokus Muda (Indonesian Young Key Population Network), Indonesia
Freedom House, United States
Fundación Arcoíris por el Respeto a la Diversidad Sexual (Fundación Arcoíris), México
Gamacca Community, Indonesia
Gender Proud, United States
Global Action for Trans* Equality (GATE), Global
Global Inklusi untuk Perlindungan AIDS, Indonesia
Global Justice Institute (GJI), United States
Haus of Khameleon (HK), Fiji
Human Rights Campaign (HRC), United States
Humanist Institute for Co-operation with Developing Countries (Hivos), The Netherlands
IDAHO-T International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia Committee, Global
The Inner Circle (TIC), South Africa
Instituto Runa de Desarrollo y Estudios sobre Género (Instituto Runa), Peru
International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission (IGLHRC), United States
International Lesbian and Gay Association (ILGA), Global
The International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer Youth and Student Organisation (IGLYO), Europe Region
International Women's Health Coalition (IWHC), United States
Iranti org, South Africa
Just Associates (Jass), Americas Region
Komunitas Sehati Makassar (KSM), Indonesia
Kvenréttindafélag Íslands (KRFÍ), Iceland
Manodiversa Asociacion Civil (MANODIVERSA), Bolivia
Metropolitan Community Churches (MCC), United States
Micro Rainbow International (MRI), United Kingdom
msulmans inclusifs de france (MIF), Paris France
Muslim Alliance for Sexual & Gender Diversity (MASGD), United States
Muslims for Progressive Values (MPV), United States
Network of European LGBT Families Associations (NELFA), Belgium
The Norwegian Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender organization (LLH), Norway
Organisation Intersex International Australia Limited (OII Australia), Australia
Pacific Islands Safety and Prevention Project Inc. (the Project), New Zealand
Pacific Sexual Diversity Network (PSDN), Tonga
Pan Africa ILGA (PAI), Africa Region
Pathways of Women's Empowerment, Global
People's Arts Collective of New Haven (PAC), United States
Promoting Rights and Equality for Society's Marginalized - Philippines, Inc. (PRISM-Phils., Inc.), Philippines
Quality of Citizenship Jamaica (QCJ), Jamaica
Rainbow Action South Korea, South Korea
Rainbow Pride Foundation (RPRFL), Fiji
Russian LGBT Network, Russia
Samoa AIDS Foundation (SAN), Samoa
Sexuality Policy Watch (SPW), Brazil
Social, Health and Empowerment (S.H.E), Africa Region
Solidarity Alliance for Human Rights (SAHR), Nigeria
St. Paul's Foundation for International Reconciliation, United States
Stichting Global Alliance for LGBT Education (GALE), Netherlands/Global
Stonewall, United Kingdom
The Swedish Federation for LGBTQ Rights (RFSL), Sweden
Swiss lesbian organisation (LOS), Switzerland
Swiss Rainbow Families Association, Switzerland
Taiwan Tongzhi (LGBT) Hotline Association (TTHA), Taiwan
Thomas Ndayiragije (webnews), South Africa
Tonga Leitis Association (TLA), Tonga
United and Strong Inc (U&S), Saint Lucia
United Belize Advocacy Movement (UniBAM), Belize
Urgent Action Fund for Women's Human Rights (UAF), United States
Without Restrictions (Lutter contre l'homophobie), Tunisia
Women and Media Collective (WMC), Sri Lanka
Women' S Way Foundation (WSWF), Suriname
Women's Health and Equal Rights Initiative (WHER), Nigeria

To add your organization's signature, visit: http://goo.gl/V5wYT2

Dear Friends,

Good news! I’m writing to share with you the government of Colombia’s unprecedented step to confront LGBTI violence nationwide.

From March 26 – 27, María Mercedes Gómez, our Latin America and Caribbean program coordinator, traveled to Bogotá at the invitation of the National Prosecutor’s Office to participate in an historic two-day meeting.

She was one of three main speakers at the conference about LGBTI violence, which brought together 75 prosecutors from all parts of the country and was attended by both the Minister of the Interior and the Minister of Justice.

“This is the first time in which we have seen such strong political will to confront violence against LGBTI Colombians,” said María Mercedes. “We have to take advantage of this historic moment to move toward concrete reforms”

María Mercedes met ahead of time with Colombian LGBTI groups to develop recommendations for the authorities. In her talk to the prosecutors, she advised a systematic, centralized approach to collecting data on crimes against LGBTI people; continuing training of officials; and working closely with civil society.

After five decades of armed conflict, confronting violence wherever it is found represents a significant commitment by the National Prosecutor’s Office. Certainly, addressing anti-LGBTI violence holds great hope for Colombia’s ability to adopt justice system reforms post-conflict.

Over the months and years ahead, we look forward to updating you about María Mercedes’ continued engagement on this challenging but now promising issue.

Thank you,

Jessica Stern
Executive Director

P.S. I hope you’ll consider supporting IGLHRC's crucial work by joining a group of our allies and supporters for what is sure to be a wonderful evening in NYC on June 3rd at Fun Home, Alison Bechdel's award-winning musical, now on Broadway. Become an IGLHRC #FunHomeFan now (http://iglhrc.org/funhome) before the best seats are taken!

Sign up to receive IGLHRC Updates and Postcards directly. Visit http://iglhrc.org/subscribe.

Photo courtesy of sentiido.com

Download the publication (PDF)

Read the accompanying Caribbean Media Training Manual

Dear Friends,

It goes without saying that the media shapes public opinion – for good and for ill. This is why we work directly with journalists to improve coverage of the LGBTIQ community as a centerpiece of our strategy. Still, homophobia and transphobia persist. In some places, when it comes to our community, the media simply ignores basic rules of fairness and accuracy.

I am excited to tell you about two new groundbreaking publications that we hope will lead to progress in media coverage of LGBTIQ issues in the English-speaking Caribbean.

Over this past year, working with five amazing grassroots groups in Belize, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Saint Lucia, we documented a disturbing picture of homophobia and transphobia in the these countries and developed a detailed training guide to help shape more just and ethical journalism.

Our colleagues -- United and Strong, Groundation Grenada, Guyana Rainbow Foundation, J-FLAG, and United Belize Advocacy Movement -- monitored key media for a month to analyze content and omissions.

We are confident that the study and training guide will be instrumental in helping to make media coverage of LGBTIQ communities in the Caribbean more accurate and fair. Already, organizations across the world are using our media monitoring template to expose bias in their countries’ news reporting.

Please, visit our website for these joint publications and take a look! http://iglhrc.org/content/caribbean-media-training-manual

Thank you,

Jessica Stern Executive Director

P.S. On September 29 at 5pm, IGLHRC is among the organizers of a high-level panel at the United Nations featuring Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and other luminaries. We hope you can join us! You'll need a special pass to get into the United Nations that day, so please RSVP here. 

P.S.S. If you have not yet purchased your ticket to our 25th anniversary gala on September 28th, what are you waiting for? Do so today! This is a special Celebration of Courage on a New York Harbor cruise! Emcee Moises Kauffman, playwrite of Laramie Project fame, will be joined by performers and a special award for the monumental activism of Gays and Lesbians of Zimbabwe. Tickets and information at: iglhrc.org/coc2015 or purchase your tickets today.

Dear Friends,

It goes without saying that the media shapes public opinion – both for good and for ill. This is why we work directly with journalists to improve coverage of the LGBTIQ community, as a centerpiece of our advocacy strategy. Still, homophobia and transphobia persists in the media. In some places, the media simply ignores basic rules of fairness in reporting when it comes to our community.
 
I am excited to tell you about two new groundbreaking publications that we hope will lead to progress in coverage of LGBTIQ people and issues by media in the English-speaking Caribbean.

Over this past year, working with five amazing grassroots groups in Belize, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Saint Lucia, we documented a disturbing picture of homophobia and transphobia in the these countries and developed a detailed training guide to help shape more just and ethical journalism.

Our partner organizations-- United and Strong, Groundation Grenada, Guyana Rainbow Foundation, J-FLAG, and United Belize Advocacy Movement-- monitored key media outlets for over a month, and analyzed content and omissions.

We are confident the study and training guide will be instrumental in helping to make media coverage of our community more accurate and fair. Already, organizations across the world are looking to use our media monitoring template to expose bias in their countries’ news reporting.
 
We hope you will take a look at these publications on our website: /content/caribbean-media-training-manual
 
Thank you,

Jessica Stern
Executive Director