The
Stockholm Statement
We,
the team of Rainbow Leaders, a network of lesbian, gay, bisexual,
transgender and intersex (LGBTI) human rights defenders, who gathered
in Stockholm, Sweden, from October 14 to November 1, 2013, agree upon
the following statement:
Claiming
our space within the global social movements;
Recognising
our leadership in the LGBTI movement in bringing change in our
groups, communities, societies, countries and regions;
Acknowledging
we are living in a world, where 76 countries criminalise consensual
same-sex relations and non-conforming gender expressions;
Recognizing
the true solidarity among our groups and the need for action whenever
there is call;
Recognizing
the need for positive strives for days of celebration, celebrating a
global day for LGBTI activism;
Being
conscious that violence and discrimination on grounds of sexual
orientation and gender identity are daily realities for many
individuals all around the world;
Welcoming
the national, regional and global policy and legal frameworks that
enhance our struggle for equality;
Affirming
that we are strengthened by our common vision that our sexual
orientations and gender identities are important human
characteristics of our self-identification and should not be cause
for discrimination; and
Recognizing
the achievements of the civil society movement to decrease the levels
of discrimination, and the role of some governments in supporting
this process;
We
make the following the following declarations:
We
seek to continue the international cooperation that supports the work
of human rights defenders in their local contexts in respect to their
own needs and voices.
We
encourage other human rights defenders to join and unite with LGBTI
activitists in our common struggles.
We
demand radical change in the heteronormative patriarchal systems
where the rights of women, sexual and gender minorities are not
respected.
We
are not just demanding change in policies and legislations that can
protect human rights of LGBTI persons but also a continuous education
and sensitizing process to achieve just, inclusive and equitable
societies.
We
call upon the decision-makers of our countries to provide legislation
that protect every citizen regardless of their sexual orientation and
gender identity, and that this legal framework is effectively
implemented.
We
demand the decision-makers of our countries to stop the tyranny of
the majority against all minorities.
We
Rainbow Leaders commit ourselves as agents of change who continue to
challenge cultural normativity with pride, dignity and respect.
November 1, 2013
Stockholm,
Sweden
Bishkek
Feminist Collective SQ, Kyrgyz Indigo and Labrys (Kyrgyzstan)
Freedom
and Roam (Uganda)
Friends
of RAINKA (Zambia)
Let
Good Be Told In Us (NYARWEK) Coalition (Kenya)
Gays
And Lesbians of Zimbabwe (Zimbabwe)
Sappho
for Equality (India)
Iranti-Org
(South Africa)
Society
Against Sexual Orientation Discrimination (Guyana)
Lesbians,
Gays and Bisexuals of Botswana
Caribbean
Forum for Liberation and Acceptance of Genders and Sexualities (Saint
Lucia)
Trans Bantu (Zambia)
Coalition
of African Lesbians (South Africa)
Rainbow
Women (Kenya)
PaKasipiti
(Zimbabwe)
Gayten-LGBT,
Center for Promotion of LGBTIQ Human Rights (Serbia)
Romski Zenski Centar
Romnjako Ilo (Serbia)
Adhikaar (India)
Rainbow Leaders (c) Jabu Pereira, Iranti-Org
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