280 gay hate murders in Brazil and Peru in 2011

in: http://www.gaystarnews.com/

A report suggests the risk of a gay man being murdered in Brazil is 800% higher than in the US

Sex-rights groups in Peru and Brazil announced the number of homosexual killings in 2011.

Brazil's Grupo Gay da Bahia (GGB) documented 266 murders of gays, lesbians and transvestites in Brazil last year, six more than in 2010.

According to Professoe Luiz Mott, an anthropologist at the Federal University of Bahia and founder of the GGB: 'The underreporting of these crimes is striking, indicating that the number represents just the tip of an iceberg of cruelty and blood.

'Since the federal government refuses to build a database on hate crimes against homosexuals, we based this report on newspaper and online news, which is certainly far from covering all of these claims.'

The report confirm's Brazil's position as the place with the most homophobic murders in the world.

In the US with a population 100 million greater than Brazil, there were nine transgender people murdered in 2011. In Brazil, 98 trans people are recorded as murdered.

The report also suggests that the risk of a gay man being murdered in Brazil is 800% higher than in the US.

The GGB announced that every 33 hours a Brazilian homosexual was brutally murdered in 2011 as a victim of a homophobic attack.

Activist groups in Peru also point to the lack of official records documenting violent crimes against the LGBT community as problematic.

Promsex, Peru's Center for Promotion and Defense of Reproductive and Sexual Rights, compiled media reports and discovered that 14 homosexuals were tortured and killed last year.

Of the victims, 10 were gay and four were transexuals reportedly attacked by strangers or their partners. The murder rates of 2011 dropped by four people compared to 2010.

The Homosexual Movement of Lima (MHOL) also produced a report based on media news and interviews. The report found that one gay, bi or trans individual was murdered every week in Peru between 2006 and 2010.

MHOL's report revealed that 249 gay-related murders occured over the past five years, and that for every case that was reported, there are two that weren't.

Promsex director George Liendo said in a statement: 'Despite efforts to want an official registry, it's not been possible in the state. While this number of deaths does not attract much attention, what is alarming in these cases is the level of cruelty, the burning and the torture the victims endured'.

Brazil and other Latin American countries including Colombia and Chile have instituted anti-discrimination laws this year to protect their gay, lesbian and transgender communities.

In spite of these laws, reports of homophobia continue to ensue, including reports of gay-bashing by military officers.

Marcelo Cerqueira, president of the GGB, said: 'There are three solutions to homophobic crimes: to teach people to respect the human rights of homosexuals through pro-LGBT legislation; requiring the police and justice system to punish homophobia with the utmost severity; and advising gays and transvestites to avoid risky situations.

'The stereotype of gays as weak and helpless stimulates the actions of assassins.'

http://www.gaystarnews.com/

International Day Against Homophobia events announced

http://madikazemi.blogspot.com/

The Intentional Day Against Homophobia (IDAHO) has announced more events to take place on or around May17.

Fighting so-called 'reparative' therapies, aiming at "curing" sexual and gender diversity, is emerging as a theme.

A coalition of groups from Latin America and the Caribbean has launched a campaign called "Cures that kill". First signatories include the Brazilian Federal Council of Psychology, Mariela Castro and the Mayor of Lima.

• Read the full appeal and sign the petition

In Peru a week long programme in Lima includes a national seminar on 'reparative' therapies.

In Italy, Catholics will hold a Vigil of Prayer for the victims of homophobia.

The Latin Americans are seeking support from the international community and the wider public.

The IDAHO Committee has an online "As I Am" campaign which aims to "celebrate our individualities and to honor the collective spirit that binds us all, connecting us to universal, inalienable and interconnected human rights that all people share". It has invited submissions of creative videos, artwork, or written statements "about respecting a person for ALL of who they are".

May 17, the 20 national editions of the free daily METRO, read by 17 million people, will be edited by Lady Gaga. There is a contest for Gaga assistants.

Turkish LGBT group KAOS GL will launch a regional network against homophobia, as part of the sixth international IDAHO conference in Ankara. They said:

"The Conference for Middle East and Balkan Countries’ Homosexuals was a dream when we declared our foundation 16 years ago and shaped our liberation perspective. Liberation and survival struggles of LGBT in our region has always been a constant consideration for Kaos GL, one of the first LGBT organisations in Turkey. The reflections of all ethnic, religious and cultural diversity seen in the Middle Eastern, Caucasus and Balkan countries exist in Turkey’s society. Kaos GL has strived for this diversity to represent and express itself in the LGBT movement since its foundation."

"Homophobia is institutionalised in civil society and the public area by blending racism and nationalism in the countries of this region, including Turkey. Institutionalised homophobia integrates into historical animosities between the countries of our region and increases existing alienation between peoples. It is the LGBT organisations and the regional network between these organisations that will have to resist homophobic and sexist reflections of racist and nationalist policies in our region."

In Rwanda, LGBT organisation HOCA will hold a large-scale media conference to increase awareness of the situation of sexual and gender minorities in the country.

The international photo project 'Walk with Pride' that documents gay pride parades around the globe will be shown simultaneously in more than 20 locations around the world, including at the European Parliament, and on the IDAHO Committee's website.

The International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission will release 'Courage Unfolds', a film highlighting the issues faced by LGBT people in Asia and encouraging the use of the Yogyakarta Principles as a tool to promote LGBT human rights, May 17.

The Courage Unfolds Campaign calls for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people to be protected by law, respected by society, and accepted by family.

• Watch the trailer

In Russia, the second "Rainbow Flashmob" will happen, with Hamburg joining in again this year with other cities expected to follow suit.

In Israel, the IDAHO team will announce the winner of the 'academic papers regarding homophobia' contest, which has the support of Shimon Peres. In the city of Nethanya, 120 school counselors will participate in a seminar adressing homo/transphobic bullying in schools.

In Australia, a 'heroes in our communities' event will launch a year-long campaign calling upon government bodies to sign and ratify the joint statement of the 2011 Asia Pacific Outgames Human Rights Conference.

In Chile, a march will close a one-day program about public campaigning and political advocacy.

http://madikazemi.blogspot.com/

Contracorrente encena fantasia homoerótica do Peru

http://pipocamoderna.mtv.uol.com.br/

“Contracorrente” foi o escolhido do Peru para concorrer a uma vaga no Oscar de filme estrangeiro deste ano, mas foi eliminado logo na primeira etapa de seleção – junto com “Lula, o Filho do Brasil”. Sem uma campanha maciça como a de um “O Segredo de Brokeback Mountain” (2005), seria muita ousadia a Academia selecionar um típico representante LGBT independente.

O filme tem como protagonista Miguel, um pescador prestes a ter o primeiro filho. Ao mesmo tempo que está feliz por construir uma família com a esposa, Mariela, vive um romance com um pintor que aportou há algum tempo na região.

Usando de fantasia e locações praianas à moda dos romances de Jorge Amado, “Contracorrente” funciona um pouco como um “Dona Flor e Seus Dois Maridos” (1976) às avessas. O diretor e roteirista Javier Fuentes León constroi uma grande metáfora do sentimento gay, de só se sentir à vontade ao lado do parceiro na intimidade solitária. A possibilidade de a sociedade reagir a um casal homossexual com naturalidade e indiferença é bem explorada pelo fator fantástico, que, clichê ou não, piegas ou não, neste caso é útil.

Admira-se a ousadia de Cristian Mercado e Manolo Cardona em protagonizarem tórridas cenas entre si, mas infelizmente não é sempre que convencem. As coisas vão muito bem, mas só até o ponto em que a emoção precisa aflorar e estes momentos cruciais não são tão convincentes.

De todo modo, é bom saber que o gay no cinema, ao contrário da TV, já deixou de ser tratado estereotipadamente há algum tempo e é ainda melhor ver que bons produtos têm vindo até de terras de pouca tradição em cinema. Nem só de Claudia Llosa vive o cinema peruano.

http://pipocamoderna.mtv.uol.com.br/