Ciclo de Cinema LGBT em Coimbra - 29 Nov - 3 Dez (Org: não te prives)‏

Visite também o micro-site com mais informações sobre o Ciclo de Cinema em: http://cinema.naoteprives.org/

Polícias recebem formação para lidar com queixas de homofobia

As forças de segurança estão a receber formação da Ilga Portugal para atender queixas relacionadas com situações de ódio contra homossexuais ou transexuais para que se evitem novas formas de discriminação, disse à Lusa o presidente da associação.

«A noção que temos é de que há uma subnotificação em geral dos crimes contra as pessoas LGBT [Lésbicas, Gays, Bissexuais, Travestis, Transexuais e Transgéneros] motivada pela homofobia», disse o presidente da associação Intervenção Lésbica, Gay, Bissexual e Transgénero (ILGA).

Paulo Côrte-Real sustentou que «há uma grande incerteza em relação à forma como os serviços de segurança enfrentarão este tipo de situação».

«Há o receio de uma vitimização secundária no momento da apresentação da queixa», lamentou, defendendo ser preciso «contrariar» esta situação. E isso pode ser feito através de acções de formação que «garantam que a preparação existe e que os procedimentos são definidos», justificou.

Por outro lado, disse ser preciso divulgar que as forças de segurança estão a receber essa formação para que «a percepção da população permita a denúncia».

Paulo Côrte-Real lembrou alguns casos de ódio homofóbico, como o homicídio da transexual Gisberta, no Porto, e uma milícia anti-gay que perseguia e agredia homossexuais em Viseu.

A acção de formação da Ilga Portugal insere-se num projecto europeu que surgiu na sequência de um relatório da Agência dos Direitos Fundamentais da União Europeia que concluiu que a generalidade dos países não tem estatísticas e uma política explícita em relação aos crimes de ódio contra as pessoas LGBT.

«Há vários países que têm legislação que já prevê a punição agravada de determinados crimes em função da sua motivação. Portugal é um desses exemplos», sublinhou Paulo Côrte-Real. No entanto, salientou, as pessoas têm de deixar de ter receio de apresentar queixa para «permitir a denúncia e que estes casos sejam devidamente analisados».

Por outro lado, acrescentou, «é importante que estes casos passem a ser recolhidos de uma forma mais sistemática para permitir opções políticas».

in: iol

Aprovado diploma para simplificar mudança do registo civil de sexo e nome d@s pessoas transexuais

Lei para transexuais aprovada no Parlamento

A Assembleia da República aprovou hoje, sexta-feira,a simplificação do processo de mudança de sexo e do nome próprio no Registo Civil, com os votos favoráveis do PS, BE, PCP, PEV e de 12 deputados do PSD.

Nove sociais-democratas abstiveram-se, a restante bancada votou contra, assim como o CDS e as duas deputadas socialista Maria do Rosário Carneiro e Teresa Venda.

O texto final da Lei da Identidade de Género resultou de duas propostas votadas no Parlamento, a 1 de Outubro, apresentadas pelo Governo e outra pelo Bloco de Esquerda.

A legislação terminará com o processo judicial interposto pelos cidadãos transexuais contra o Estado para obterem as mudanças no Registo Civil.

A última palavra caberá agora ao presidente da República Cavaco Silva, que recebe para promulgação ou veto esta legislação a um mês e meio das eleições presidenciais.

in: jn

Five LGBT Victories To Be Thankful For in 2010

Today is Thanksgiving, and what better way to celebrate than looking back on the year that was, and recalling some of the best victories the LGBT movement saw in its march toward equality.

Sure, 2010 wasn't all peaches and cream. Legislation like the Respect for Marriage Act or the Employment Nondiscrimination Act saw little traction, and whether "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" gets repealed remains probably the biggest question mark for what's left of this year. But let's leave the creatures of Congress and the White House out of this list, and look for some real people power and activism out in our streets, communities (both online and off), and neighborhoods that led to some special moments for LGBT rights this year. Honoring these victories while downing some cranberry sauce, pumpkin pie, or green bean casserole (always the most underrated Thanksgiving delicacy) seems like the perfect way to celebrate a day meant for giving thanks.

5. Marriage equality on The Today Show

OK, on the surface, a competition on The Today Show hardly sounds like the subject matter of an important LGBT victory. But indeed it was, when earlier this year bloggers and organizations united to open up a competition that same-sex couples were originally banned from participating in. It all started with Jeremy Hooper over at Good As You pointing out that The Today Show's "Modern Wedding" contest -- a contest where lucky couples would get the wedding of their dreams in front of morning television's largest audience -- wasn't open to same-sex couples. That resulted in a blog post heard 'round the world, or at least through the LGBT blogosphere. It also led to some unique and inspiring collaboration between LGBT bloggers and one of the biggest LGBT organizations, the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD). Thousands of people wrote The Today Show and put pressure on producers while GLAAD worked with the show behind the scenes. The end result? The competition was retooled, and same-sex couples were allowed to participate. Again, it may not be the type of victory one remembers in the history books for years to come, but it demonstrated a model of campaigning and organizing that is, unfortunately, all too rare, where bloggers and organizations meet eye-to-eye and put pressure on targets collaboratively.

4. Two words: Constance McMillen

Hands down, the most famous student of 2010 had to be Constance McMillen, the 18-year-old Mississippi woman who took her high school to task for denying her a chance to attend her senior prom with her same-sex date. McMillen's story became a rallying call for equal rights in schools, as she dealt with homophobic classmates and administrators who wanted more than anything to keep her away from prom. And indeed they did, by holding a "secret prom" that McMillen and several other students weren't invited to attend. But it's McMillen who gets the last laugh in this story, as her story is now being made into a television movie, and more importantly, her lawsuit against her school district resulted in sweeping change that established a non-discrimination policy inclusive of LGBT students. McMillen also was awarded $35,000 from her court settlement, and went on to make stellar videos for GetEqual, and march in the New York City Pride Parade. Not too bad for a woman who one year ago was roaming high school halls instead of championing the movement for safe schools.

3. Showing some love to Bowling Green, Ohio

Election Day 2010 saw some wonderful victories for LGBT rights (Jerry Brown, Pat Quinn, Deval Patrick, Neil Abercrombie, Kamala Harris, David Cicilline), and some frightening developments (Pat Toomey, Marco Rubio, huge losses in New Hampshire that could threaten marriage equality, and the ouster of three Iowa Supreme Court Justices who ruled for marriage equality in the state). But one community's Election Day story is particularly important for the LGBT community. That would be Bowling Green, Ohio, where a vote on two citywide ordinances kept in place laws that protect LGBT residents from discrimination when it comes to fair treatment in employment, housing, and education. Pretty awesome, and a sign that community organizing (especially on college campuses!) can yield amazing results for the LGBT movement. As the manager for One Bowling Green, the organization that led the charge to keep these two ordinances, said, "Now Bowling Green residents will not have to live in fear of being fired from their jobs, denied housing, or discriminated against in public education and public accommodations simply for being who they are." Yeah, that's definitely something to be thankful for.

2. Gay marriage comes to Portugal, Iceland and Argentina

Across the world, the number of countries that recognize same-sex marriage tripled this year, with Portugal, Iceland and Argentina joining the marriage equality club. Iceland might not be that big of a surprise. After all, it is the only country in the world with an openly gay leader (Prime Minister Johanna Sigurdardottir). But Portugal and Argentina sent a loud and proud message that even in the most Catholic of countries, marriage equality can find robust support. For her part, Argentine President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner even recorded a video segment blasting the Catholic Church for being against same-sex marriage. Kirchner said that the Catholic Church can't say it's a church dedicated to peace and justice, if it's also a Church that fosters a climate of violence toward LGBT people. Booyeah.

1. The first gay marriages in Washington, D.C.

OK, so we said we'd leave the creatures of Congress and the White House out of this list. We'll still honor that statement, but let's head back to the nation's capital, because in March of this year, the city saw its first same-sex marriages take place after the City Council voted in favor of (and the Mayor signed) legislation enacting marriage equality. Angelisa Young and Sinjoyla Townsend were one of the first couples to get a marriage license, and one of the first couples to get married. As Young told the Washington Post in regards to being one of the first same-sex couples married inside the Beltway, "You know what they say about everyone getting 15 minutes of fame? I can't wait for Minute 16." That's one of the best quotes of the year. Why? Because it shows what the battle for marriage equality is all about. It's not about grandstanding or taking a big public stand. It's about the lives of LGBT people, and the right of same-sex couples to get married like everyone else and then enjoy their time together like couples and families are supposed to do. Young's quote gets at just that -- yes, it's important to be front and center during these times. But it's also about families and relationships and building lives with the person you love. This time of year, that's something we should all take a moment to honor.

Have any other victories you'd like to share? Feel free to leave them in the comments. And Happy Thanksgiving. Sure, this year had its low points, and there's still so much work to be done. But there's also a fair amount of work to be thankful for, and no better time to be thankful for it than today.

Now if you'll pardon me, there's a whole batch of green bean casserole getting the shaft over the more popular sweet potato casserole. And we just can't have that.

in: change.org

Transgender Day of Remembrance, Nov. 20‏

To memorialize and fight for a better future

November 20 marks the annual Transgender Day of Remembrance, memorializing those lost to anti-transgender violence over the past year.

For more information on the Transgender Day of Remembrance and a list of related events around the world, many of which are held this week, visit http://www.transgenderdor.org/



Transgender Day of Remembrance - Memorial list 2010

Kids' book prizes to include gay and lesbian award

An award for gay and lesbian literature will be included in the American Library Association's annual announcement of children's prizes, a list which features the prestigious and influential Caldecott and Newbery medals.

The library association issued a statement Monday saying that the Stonewall Children's and Young Adult Literature Award has been added to the ALA's Youth Media Awards, watched closely by educators and librarians as they decide which books to add to their collections. The Stonewall prize honors "English-language works for children and teens of exceptional merit relating to the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered experience." Stonewall awards for adult books were started nearly 40 years ago, but the children's category only now.

Books with gay and lesbian themes often place high on the association's yearly report of works most criticized and threatened with removal by parents and educators. "And Tango Makes Three," Justin Richardson's and Peter Parnell's acclaimed picture story about two male penguins who become parents, topped the list from 2007 to 2009.

"Ours is a very inclusive profession and we represent a wide variety of viewpoints," says association president Roberta Stevens, who noted that the decision to add the Stonewall prize was made well before the recent wave of suicides by teens believed to be victims of anti-gay bullying. "Millions of children in this country are being raised by gay or lesbian parents. There are young people who are gay and sometimes they feel very alone. This is a real opportunity for youths who may be feeling alone to read about other like themselves."

The Youth Media awards, announced in January, already include a variety of categories, such as African-American literature, lifetime achievement and best children's audio book.

in:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20101101/ap_en_ot/us_books_library_prize