tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-111045692024-03-06T20:47:08.141-08:00SASOD GuyanaSASODhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05304211829927829792noreply@blogger.comBlogger347125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11104569.post-14466057073527707642022-10-05T06:54:00.002-07:002022-10-07T07:04:33.198-07:00 New 2022 Poll Finds LGBT Acceptance Has Soared in Guyana<p><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: justify;">Positive attitudes towards lesbian, gay,
bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people in Guyana has increased significantly
over the last 9 years. This was a key finding of the 2022 poll titled “A Study
of Perceptions and Attitudes towards LGBT Persons in Guyana” which was
conducted by RMK Consulting Enterprise and commissioned by SASOD Guyana. This year’s
national poll was conducted almost a decade after the first-ever public opinion
poll on LGBT people and issues was done by the Caribbean Development Research
Services (CADRES) in 2013. According to results from the 2022 poll, LGBT
acceptance in Guyana has soared since then, moving from 19% to 34.5% with an
overall percentage of 72.4% of respondents stating that they accept and
tolerate LGBT persons. Presenting at the launch of the findings last Tuesday,
Dr. Marlon Anatol, a researcher with RMK Consulting Enterprise, noted that
hatred of LGBT people had decreased by 50% from 25% in 2013 to 12% in 2022,
which is quite significant.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifujkN20VojV2gM3ATLTgTNVVBi-UQqgbmK84pQD285356BkoAWCOxNcj0uH3RRMudBTl-PLYgoGor9Qt-aXF5_kEyWjsejpbtb4K1vmnMpf5iYL9dd4WHifHtNGumxt4vJbJ8Vz9T5HvsVRw4ldWJAHaKXCOz7F-uVcENms1ePFghfivQpU0/s1920/Dr%20Marlon%20Anatol.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifujkN20VojV2gM3ATLTgTNVVBi-UQqgbmK84pQD285356BkoAWCOxNcj0uH3RRMudBTl-PLYgoGor9Qt-aXF5_kEyWjsejpbtb4K1vmnMpf5iYL9dd4WHifHtNGumxt4vJbJ8Vz9T5HvsVRw4ldWJAHaKXCOz7F-uVcENms1ePFghfivQpU0/s320/Dr%20Marlon%20Anatol.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">Dr. Marlon Anatol
presenting the polling results <o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Other key results include that nearly a
majority of Guyanese believe the Government should prioritize legally
protecting the rights of LGBT people with 49.6% of respondents replying
positively that it should be a priority for the government to prioritize legally
protecting LGBT people. Further, the poll found that a clear majority of 53.9%
of the Guyanese population are likely to support the elimination of the law
criminalizing sex between men. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">The results also showed that 72% of the
population were likely to support legislation that ensures protection against
workplace discrimination for LGBT people in Guyana. Remarking on the need for
legislators to move with the times, SASOD Guyana’s Managing Director Joel
Simpson was keen to note that “we have been in a place where politicians have
been saying that the society isn’t ready for change, but these results clearly
indicate that the society is way ahead of its leaders and Guyana has changed
significantly over the past decade.” Simpson remarked that “the evidence is now
available to the Government of Guyana to support including protection for LGBT
people in workplace anti-discrimination legislation.”</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Principal and Director of RMK Consulting
Enterprise, Dr. Mark Kirton, gave an overview of the study indicating that
1,070 respondents were interviewed in-person between June 18 and July 11, 2022,
through a house-to-house exercise across most regions of Guyana. The stratified
random sample was representative of the Guyanese population in terms of sex,
age, race, religious affiliation and other demographics, based on the 2012
National Census for Guyana.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><i style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoDXOzsI1h4_kN6XPB7JvOWsmBeCMJwfshqiL-cP9fJ9Qn5cE0XOjzD8yp4ByImQEcLB5jazi4yBPgXaULo4qAjs4NC14ntuLdga7KUwrtYSZ9KdLdBcIVdpU1imUrisoBgS8NzKfFE_qWwDHDO8QhjAbu8G-Ul82JNRHh5X5gON0gUTI2UEY/s1920/Dr%20Mark%20Kirton.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoDXOzsI1h4_kN6XPB7JvOWsmBeCMJwfshqiL-cP9fJ9Qn5cE0XOjzD8yp4ByImQEcLB5jazi4yBPgXaULo4qAjs4NC14ntuLdga7KUwrtYSZ9KdLdBcIVdpU1imUrisoBgS8NzKfFE_qWwDHDO8QhjAbu8G-Ul82JNRHh5X5gON0gUTI2UEY/s320/Dr%20Mark%20Kirton.jpg" width="320" /></a></i></p><i><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Dr. Mark Kirton
providing an overview of the study</i></div><o:p></o:p></i><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">For over 19 years, SASOD Guyana has been
at the forefront of calls to repeal the laws which criminalize same-sex
intimacy and disproportionately affect LGBT people, leading to increased levels
of discrimination in all areas of their lives. Simpson stated that SASOD Guyana
intends to disseminate the polling results widely. He noted that “this
information needs to be on the desk of every parliamentarian” and stated that
SASOD Guyana is “going to continue our advocacy to bring this to the attention
of the policymakers because we really want to see action, particularly now that
we are seeing most of the population, 72%, saying they are supportive of
non-discrimination protections for LGBT persons” as it relates to the right to
work. SASOD Guyana has also been advocating for the Prevention of
Discrimination Act 1997 to be amended to include sexual orientation, gender
identity and gender expression as grounds of discrimination.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">SASOD Guyana has noted with interest the
positive rhetoric of the PPP/C administration on LGBT issues. However, Simpson
repeated the call for decisive actions to be taken by parliamentarians and
legislators. He confirmed that SASOD Guyana would be continuing to engage with the
Government on these issues, noting the significant increase in support for LGBT
people across Guyana.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><o:p> </o:p><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">Video Recording of the Media Launch of the
2022 Poll: </span><a href="https://youtu.be/pGwgNIEtu3k"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">https://youtu.be/pGwgNIEtu3k</span></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">Link to the 2022 RMK Polling Report: </span><a href="https://original-ufdc.uflib.ufl.edu/AA00090502/00001/pdf"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">https://original-ufdc.uflib.ufl.edu/AA00090502/00001/pdf</span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>SASOD Guyanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01452359346236525674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11104569.post-20057796231891907482022-08-29T06:48:00.000-07:002022-08-29T06:48:06.336-07:00 Visit Rupununi, Guyana LGBTQ+ Coalition Ink Historic Agreement on LGBTQ+ Tourism<h1 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: justify;"><br /></span></h1><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: justify;">On Thursday, August 26, 2002, Visit
Rupununi and the Guyana LGBTQ+ Coalition together </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: justify;">signed a Memorandum of Understanding which
signifies the beginning of a partnership to promote the Rupununi region of
Guyana as a warm and welcoming destination for LGBTQ+ tourists.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Visit Rupununi is a non-profit regional
destination marketing and management organization which has been developing
sustainable eco-tourism products within the Rupununi region while conserving
the nature-based, traditional heritage of local indigenous peoples and the
wider Rupununi region. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">The Guyana LGBTQ+ Coalition is comprised
of the Guyana Trans United (GTU), SASOD Guyana and SWAG. Together, these
organizations have been tirelessly advocating for the rights of LGBTQ+ people
in Guyana. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Providing brief remarks before signing the
historic agreement, President of Visit Rupununi, Melanie McTurk, shared details
about their eco-tourism products which are centered around nature, wildlife
conservation and outstanding hospitality. And while the Rupununi region has
always had a good history of hosting LGBTQ+ guests in the past, Mc Turk pointed
out that being able to feel safe and be respected is what everyone desires when
looking for a holiday destination. She said “with this in mind it is important
for the Rupununi that we continue to equip ourselves with the skills and
knowledge to appeal to an ever-growing market base to ensuring that all
visitors to the Rupununi are treated with equal respect and consideration.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">The Memorandum of Understanding formalizes
the partnership between these organizations whose common goal is to promote the
Rupununi as a tourism destination that is LGBTQ+ friendly. One of the ways the
parties to the agreement plan to do this is having the Guyana LGBTQ+ Coalition
train members of Visit Rupununi on LGBTQ+ issues in order to sensitize their
representatives. The Guyana LGBTQ+ Coalition will begin by training 15-20 Visit
Rupununi trainers, and the training will teach them how to deliver the training
themselves within their organization going forward. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEji8-Dvjbh5UgwFfw9ctcuQcP6YtRFc65lkXzHDRXlU0loyLyUPvzkpcSItstEgeEsLUn4MNy_Pft8sNVtToYJfyEoMuBKNnK3LJxvEmtfU1yqi5rsvVPadnPuvEyh7QB2OkrvlQKFOZvJ-hDA3dHBY9Kjn7ieeGHnW3c74mGVt6OFXyJkit54" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="356" data-original-width="975" height="207" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEji8-Dvjbh5UgwFfw9ctcuQcP6YtRFc65lkXzHDRXlU0loyLyUPvzkpcSItstEgeEsLUn4MNy_Pft8sNVtToYJfyEoMuBKNnK3LJxvEmtfU1yqi5rsvVPadnPuvEyh7QB2OkrvlQKFOZvJ-hDA3dHBY9Kjn7ieeGHnW3c74mGVt6OFXyJkit54=w567-h207" width="567" /></a></div><br /><br /><p></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Visit Rupununi’s
Melanie McTurk (left) signs while GTU’s Miglon Braithwaite (second from right)
SASOD Guyana’s Melina Harris (second from left) and Joel Simpson (right) look
on.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">[Photo Credit:
Vishani Ragobeer / News Room]<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Noting the importance and value of the “pink
dollar” internationally, Mc Turk shared that “the LGBTQ+ travel market was
worth more than USD$218 billion worldwide while the LGBTQ+ community in the U.S
alone, spends 10 percent of its purchasing power, or nearly $100 billion US, on
luxury travel.” Mc Turk went on to say that “through our collaboration with the
LGBTQ+ Coalition we will be taking the first steps to ensuring that the
Rupununi is a region that is safe and welcoming to all persons regardless of
race, class, or sexual orientation.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">In supporting the sentiments of the Visit
Rupununi President, Simpson said that “certainly from a business perspective,
the private sector understands that there is no room for discrimination, money
doesn’t discriminate, when you make money, you don’t make gay or straight
money.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">He went on to say that “all of us will
benefit the more inclusive our society becomes in every single, sector and this
is something Guyanese believe, that if we allow everybody to participate in the
economy, we allow everybody to work, to earn a living without discrimination,
all of us will benefit, all of us will experience development.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">The signing of the Memorandum of
Understanding signifies the beginning of a strong partnership between the
Guyana LGBTQ+ Coalition and Visit Rupununi. The parties are committed to
promoting Guyana as a safe and warm tourism destination that is LGBTQ+ friendly
for everyone within and outside of Guyana. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">The
livestream is available on SASOD Guyana’s YouTube: </span><a href="https://youtu.be/Y8iMloTD2HU"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">https://youtu.be/Y8iMloTD2HU</span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>SASOD Guyanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01452359346236525674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11104569.post-65995870244002909642022-07-14T07:28:00.004-07:002022-07-14T11:31:33.222-07:00 SASOD Guyana Welcomes Antigua Court Decision Decriminalizing Same-Sex Intimacy<p><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-align: justify;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4BT_A5h_6hy82Q73teJxDgmB26jlMRzCXAQXih_lSzUIZ1AW8IYRqQVtN90lOPSSNYARGlOqk-Jq14jrlRwlh6Ldo9t4dOFwkOUbDGcFXy_Qn1zF3JhKavWC9tau5DA5mrIskqSBlmN-i8Vew_Hvg1BChOwbzSzSB4MuNLGsU8uYCD5Z-Hh8/s2048/JES.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2047" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4BT_A5h_6hy82Q73teJxDgmB26jlMRzCXAQXih_lSzUIZ1AW8IYRqQVtN90lOPSSNYARGlOqk-Jq14jrlRwlh6Ldo9t4dOFwkOUbDGcFXy_Qn1zF3JhKavWC9tau5DA5mrIskqSBlmN-i8Vew_Hvg1BChOwbzSzSB4MuNLGsU8uYCD5Z-Hh8/s320/JES.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Joel Simpson, Managing Director of SASOD Guyana</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-align: justify;"><br />SASOD
Guyana welcomes the decision of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court following
the conclusion of a challenge brought by a gay man against the state, who
argued that the Sexual Offences Act (of 1995) contained several
unconstitutional and discriminatory sections.</span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">According
to the Court’s ruling, sections 12 and 15 of the Sexual Offences Act which
prohibited several acts of same-sex intimacy were deemed by the Court to be
unconstitutional and discriminatory. SASOD Guyana emphatically celebrates with
the people of Antigua and Barbuda, civil society and other partners who
contributed to the success of the legal challenge.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Celebrating
the victory, Co-Chair of the Caribbean Forum for Liberation and Acceptance of
Genders and Sexualities (CariFLAGS) Lucien Govaard, stated that “</span><span lang="EN-CARRIBEAN" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CARRIBEAN;">we
reiterate that it is time governments in the region let go of these colonial
structures as they have no place in a modern, diverse, and developing
Caribbean.” The leader of the regional LGBTIQ+ network went on the urge
regional leaders to “tackle these issues as a united region, one Caribbean,
where all our<b> </b>peoples can live without fear, discrimination, harassment,
or violence.”</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Similarly, the
Caribbean Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights Observatory and the Caribbean
Family Planning Affiliation (CFPA) are urging Caribbean Governments to repeal
discriminatory laws that continue to marginalize and infringe upon the human
rights of LGBTIQ+ people and to firmly adopt and promote a culture of inclusion
and respect for all people.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The
Court’s decision in Antigua and Barbuda follows rulings in Belize (2016) and in
Trinidad and Tobago (2018) where similar legal provisions were struck down.
There are currently ongoing constitutional challenges of the same nature in St.
Lucia, St. Kitts and Nevis and Barbados, where final rulings are expected to be
handed down by the end of the year.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">SASOD
Guyana notes that there are now fewer Caribbean nations where these archaic
laws remain on the books. Joel Simpson, Managing Director of SASOD Guyana,
reminded that “We have been lobbying and working with the Government of Guyana
for over 19 years to remove these discriminatory and dangerous laws here in
Guyana. We remain among a rapidly decreasing number of Caribbean nations that
continue to allow these colonial remnants to endanger the lives of LGBTIQ+
people, in spite of the human rights implications.” Simpson went on to state
that “we hope that the Guyana government can see that this issue is now
practically settled law. These provisions are discriminatory and
unconstitutional, and they must go! We hope the government is encouraged to
table legislation in the National Assembly to repeal similar provisions which
criminalize same-sex intimacy in our law books.</span></p>SASOD Guyanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01452359346236525674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11104569.post-28354162036246482932022-05-12T13:59:00.001-07:002022-05-18T06:17:03.016-07:00“They were wrong then and they are wrong now” – British Envoy on Laws Criminalizing Same-Sex Intimacy at Media Launch of Guyana Pride Festival 2022 <p> </p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">Georgetown,
May 12, 2022<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; text-align: justify;">On May 11, 2022, the Guyana LGBTQ Coalition,
comprised of the Guyana Rainbow Foundation (GuyBow), Guyana Trans United and SASOD
Guyana, with support from Her Excellency Jane Miller OBE, British High
Commissioner to Guyana, launched the Guyana Pride Festival 2022 ahead of the
International Day against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia (IDAHOTB).</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; text-align: justify;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">In providing brief remarks, the British High
Commissioner to Guyana, Jane Miller OBE noted that “the UK is very proud to be
a champion for LGBT rights across the whole world. LGBT rights are fundamental
human rights, and we are committed to the principle that everyone, everywhere,
should be able to love the person they love and express themselves without fear
of violence”.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">The Pride Festival will be celebrated this year
under the IDAHOTB theme, “Our Bodies, Our Lives, Our Rights.” Joel Simpson,
Managing Director of SASOD Guyana, stated that the advocacy focus of this
year’s Pride Festival would centre around sexual rights, noting that, “we want
to draw attention to laws which criminalize same-sex intimacy; we know that
these laws are colonial in nature and they are relics we inherited from
colonial rule.” He shared that as part of the festival’s advocacy plans, there
would be various opportunities during the course of the activities for there to
be discussions around the impacts of the criminalization of sexual rights and
how they particularly impact the LGBTIQ people in Guyana.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">When asked what she thought about the laws
criminalizing same-sex intimacy, High Commissioner Miller stated that “Guyana
has inherited laws that were brought in many, many years ago, British laws, the
UK has now repealed that. We now have very progressive laws in the UK that
protect the rights of the LGBT community and there are many countries like
Guyana where that has never changed. The UK has changed, and I am very proud of
the fact that the UK has changed, which is why I am very proud to be
championing the rights of the LGBT community. My view is that they [the laws]
were wrong then and they are wrong now and I will do all I can to be
championing changes that protect the rights of the LGBT community.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">Simpson stated that the festival would see “us
celebrating ourselves, our communities and who we are and we are saying that we
will not shy away, we will not cower in the face of stigma, discrimination and
prejudice. We will stand proud because we are a part of the Guyanese society
and we are championing a one Guyana these days and we believe that we are part
of that one people, one nation and one destiny that is promised to everyone in
this country.”</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">The Coalition presented that Guyana Pride will
return to the streets of Georgetown in 2022 after 2 years of being confined to
virtual Pride events due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Most of the Festival’s
activities will be in-person events this year.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Guyana Pride Festival will open on Sunday, June
19, 2022, with a Virtual Inter-Faith Forum hosted in collaboration with the
Caribbean Inter-Faith Network (CARIN) at 18:00hrs on SASOD Guyana’s social
media pages. Then, on the night of Saturday, June 25, 2022, the Guyana Trans
United will be hosting the much anticipated “Drag Fest” event, further details
will be provided by the GTU in the coming days.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">On the evening of Friday, July 1, 2022, the
Coalition will host an “Open Mic” Night where attendees are invited to take the
stage to showcase their talents in music, dance, poetry, prose, spoken word and
other art forms. On Monday, July 4, 2022, SASOD Guyana will host a Movie Night.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">On the following Friday, July 8, 2022, the
Coalition will also be hosting a Games Night which will see competitors
battling to win a number of exciting prizes. Then, in the afternoon of Sunday,
July 10, 2022, GTU will be hosting a Tea Party and Hat Show. The following day
on Monday, July 11, 2022, GuyBow will host the Pride Symposium which is slated
to start at 17:00hrs.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Finally, Pride 2022 will conclude on Saturday
July 16, 2022, with the two of the most anticipated events: Pride Parade 2022
and the Pride Party. As customary, the Pride Parade will move off from the
Parade Ground at Middle and Carmichael Streets at 14:30hrs and is set to
conclude at the Square of the Revolution. GuyBow will then host the Pride Party
from 21:00hrs at Cocktails Hotspot Bar and Grill on High Street, Kingston.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">The calendar of events and details of all
activities will be available on the social media pages of the members of the Guyana
LGBTQ Coalition: GuyBow, GTU and SASOD Guyana.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">Please access the live streamed event here: </span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"><a href="https://youtu.be/EAD28OobzG8">https://youtu.be/EAD28OobzG8</a></span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>SASOD Guyanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01452359346236525674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11104569.post-86509407473105688352022-05-10T13:34:00.001-07:002022-05-10T13:34:17.718-07:00SASOD, Human Dignity Trust Gather Evidence on Hate Crimes in Guyana<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">Georgetown;
March 25, 2022</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; text-align: center;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">SASOD Guyana and The Human Dignity Trust (HDT)
- a UK-based organisation working to challenge laws that persecute people on
the basis of their sexual orientation and/or gender identity – have embarked on
a process to examine the occurrence of hate crimes in Guyana. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">In early 2021, the two organisations
commissioned </span><i style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">“A Situational Analysis on Hate Crimes in Guyana”</i><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"> which was
conducted by Guyanese researcher Pere DeRoy, a social scientist and doctoral
candidate at the University of Kansas in the USA, to document the nature and
extent of hate crimes based on prejudices related to race, ethnicity, gender
and sexuality in Guyana.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">The preliminary results of the research have
highlighted the need for more discussion and dialogue on prejudice in Guyanese
society. SASOD Guyana and HDT are working to condense the situational analysis
into a short summary chapter which will be accompanied by chapters examining
the local legal context, and the international context and good practice
principles, which together will inform the approach to be taken to address hate
crimes in Guyana.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">This past week the two organisations hosted
introductory workshops on hate crimes to raise awareness and receive feedback
on the preliminary results of the situational analysis from key stakeholders in
Guyana. From Tuesday, March 22, to Thursday, March 24, 2022, SASOD Guyana and
HDT held three, half-day workshops with civil society groups. The workshop
sessions successfully engaged a wide range of civil society groups, especially
from the Guyana Equality Forum. On Wednesday evening, March 23, there was also
a special workshop with Guyanese human rights lawyers. The workshops were led
by Joel Simpson, Managing Director of SASOD Guyana, and Naomi Lumsdaine, Senior
Lawyer at HDT. There was consensus among civil society groups who noted the
need to build a coalition to support reform and to better protect racialised
groups, gender and sexual minorities, and other marginalised groups from hate
crimes.</span></p>
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">The two organizations committed to continue
working together to finalize the report on hate crimes and disseminate the
findings widely in Guyana, whilst building further consensus among civil
society and other key stakeholders on a comprehensive approach to tackle hate
crimes.</span><div><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.3333px;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqjjTEM0YuavNFAHuSy3dcSrJejswe0O7_9uUDdeNvprbx9sTMS769Ow9r7AsbyPHPGVcrBwwiNImNUDWIR1QqA8uJmNNIXrU3VikrvKqsPK2ae61M6S-k-G6oqyoblJrhjHPfi69N1NG8w1UzyOSIILlp07c0xWy481PWC6r1KntFIVEE7-0/s1512/Joel%20Simpson.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="1512" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqjjTEM0YuavNFAHuSy3dcSrJejswe0O7_9uUDdeNvprbx9sTMS769Ow9r7AsbyPHPGVcrBwwiNImNUDWIR1QqA8uJmNNIXrU3VikrvKqsPK2ae61M6S-k-G6oqyoblJrhjHPfi69N1NG8w1UzyOSIILlp07c0xWy481PWC6r1KntFIVEE7-0/s320/Joel%20Simpson.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-small;"><i>Joel Simpson, SASOD Guyana</i></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGHXsHrxR_6TtV7kGJMX35YFXvAj4DDsw8EJzGlqrzr9-PfHlz7S1hS1JCp6NQtix2_Y-ueDl7G6xiyL6SwpHs4fTNaBY_iJVctH60-pk_OfZpu0XeTJZUnRIG88Kz55Eln8s_xj_XLSz3CgGXgTGe7U4P_TgLXapmIDibmFVeNm_EVB18kFw/s1037/Naomi%20Lumsdaine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1037" data-original-width="992" height="330" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGHXsHrxR_6TtV7kGJMX35YFXvAj4DDsw8EJzGlqrzr9-PfHlz7S1hS1JCp6NQtix2_Y-ueDl7G6xiyL6SwpHs4fTNaBY_iJVctH60-pk_OfZpu0XeTJZUnRIG88Kz55Eln8s_xj_XLSz3CgGXgTGe7U4P_TgLXapmIDibmFVeNm_EVB18kFw/w316-h330/Naomi%20Lumsdaine.jpg" width="316" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-small;"><i>Naomi Lumsdaine, HDT</i></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /></div><br /></span></div>SASOD Guyanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01452359346236525674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11104569.post-47395176813248335312021-05-17T16:38:00.002-07:002021-05-18T11:02:49.180-07:00SASOD Guyana Announces Second Virtual Pride on IDAHOTB 2021<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Y0GlCqWemPLTZ8AEhBFqPnfrUtxDjb0r-9x-kW7h1Wgv3Vyy7s5pzDj8jgO3znM9r39yQrlJcGIT-hPG8S6p9jFtONbrAuQH7aV_6J4D-4GSHzMjdzcjtQlgRrkbOwYJNtyhvg/s1080/IDAHOTB.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Y0GlCqWemPLTZ8AEhBFqPnfrUtxDjb0r-9x-kW7h1Wgv3Vyy7s5pzDj8jgO3znM9r39yQrlJcGIT-hPG8S6p9jFtONbrAuQH7aV_6J4D-4GSHzMjdzcjtQlgRrkbOwYJNtyhvg/s320/IDAHOTB.png" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">May
17, 2021</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-top: 12pt;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">SASOD Guyana Announces Second Virtual Pride on IDAHOTB
2021 <o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">SASOD Guyana joins civil society and state
actors around the world in observance of the International Day Against
Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia (IDAHOTB), under the theme: “Together:
Resisting, Supporting, Healing!” As the world continues to grapple with
COVID-19, now more than ever the need for solidarity is a matter of life
and death. We all must do our part to ensure the survival of the most
vulnerable groups among us.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Since the COVID-19 pandemic was declared
in Guyana in March 2021, SASOD Guyana recognized that this global health
crisis could have had a disproportionate impact on sexual and gender
minorities. Alongside the University of the West Indies and other partners in
the Eastern Caribbean, SASOD Guyana therefore conducted a study on the impact
of the COVID-19 pandemic among LGBT people. The June 2020 survey found, unsurprisingly,
that over 70% of participants had lost their job or experienced reduced
working hours due to COVID-19 pandemic and national containment measures; most
of these persons reported having had very little savings. The analysis also
revealed moderate levels of psychological distress among the target population.
Most participants were unable to meet their basic nutritional needs
and are in need of supporting services to cope with the emotional distress
brought on by the pandemic.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">As the response against this global health
crisis wages on, SASOD Guyana reiterates its previous calls to the
Government of Guyana to provide tangible support to LGBTQ+
persons and other vulnerable groups across the country.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">As in most other parts of the world, there
are no public gatherings for IDAHOTB and Pride celebrations this year. SASOD
Guyana is therefore pleased to launch its second 592 Virtual Pride 2021, under
the theme: #LiveOutProud. The one-week online festival will commence on June 7,
marking SASOD Guyana’s 18</span><sup style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">th</sup><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> anniversary, and run until June
13. LGBTQ+ persons and allies alike can look forward to the Live
Launch on June 7, Pride Yoga on June 8, Queer Film Night on
June 9, "Global Guyanese Gaffing" on June 10, Pride Games Night on June 11,
Caribbean Inferno Pride Party on June 12 and a final Pride Inter-Faith Forum on
June 13, which brings the curtains down on the week of virtual
activities. Persons can follow SASOD Guyana on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter
for more details on the upcoming 592 Virtual Pride celebrations. </span></p></div>SASOD Guyanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01452359346236525674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11104569.post-4142607026821109562021-03-26T11:30:00.001-07:002021-03-30T09:58:23.716-07:00SASOD Guyana Mourns the Loss of Former Trustee and Co-Chair, Namela Henry<p> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">The Board of Directors,
Management, Team, Members and Volunteers of SASOD Guyana are deeply saddened by
the untimely passing of early member and former Trustee, Namela Henry. Namela joined
SASOD not long after its formation in 2003. Affectionately called “Aunt Nams”
by the young people in SASOD, Namela was always a proud and vocal ally,
demanding that lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) people be
treated equally to their cisgender, heterosexual counterparts. Given her
passion, empathy and activism for LGBTQ+ human rights, Namela joined the SASOD
Board of Trustees in 2009 and served as a Trustee, and later as Co-Chairperson,
until 2014. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Namela participated actively in
the projects and work of SASOD Guyana. One of her many invaluable and tangible
contributions which live on today is her role as a community researcher in the
“Envisioning Global LGBT Human Rights” Project led by York University in
Canada. Namela diligently applied her skills in communications and journalism
to document the experiences of violence and discrimination against LGBT people
in Guyana. As part of the project, she also produced short documentary videos
in 2014 which SASOD Guyana still uses today in its awareness and education
efforts.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">She also co-authored a chapter
with Pere DeRoy titled “Violence and LGBT Human Rights in Guyana” in the
project book, “Envisioning Global LGBT Human Rights: (Neo)colonialism,
Neoliberalism, Resistance and Hope” published by the University of London
Press, Institute of Commonwealth Studies, in 2018. Namela was empathetic and
always willing to lend a helping hand to support the LGBTQ+ movement. Before
resources became available for office space, Namela opened her home in
Charlotte Street as a venue to host Board meetings and gatherings for members
of SASOD. In fact, when Namela joined the Board of Trustees in 2009, it was her
home address that was registered as SASOD’s official address. Her contributions
to SASOD are too numerous to mention all.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjL49ecI2ZaEAaBJZETwbk6yiaTbZC3z6D5UD2u655xhh1cZKqtKkglSbuV7hpDORCHfJ-PxujEDzBByLJdEoTia66vdcoN02yxO0jn4ZJiIkOxUHb_0HBDBQ3spBCv4VA6BRSmw/s1024/6zgrf1199B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="576" data-original-width="1024" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjL49ecI2ZaEAaBJZETwbk6yiaTbZC3z6D5UD2u655xhh1cZKqtKkglSbuV7hpDORCHfJ-PxujEDzBByLJdEoTia66vdcoN02yxO0jn4ZJiIkOxUHb_0HBDBQ3spBCv4VA6BRSmw/s320/6zgrf1199B.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Namela was also active in many
other civil society groups, including the HIV-focused Comforting Hearts group
in Berbice where she was an early member. Namela later went on to found Rainbow
House – a now defunct organization which provided short-term housing for
homeless LGBTQ+ youth while its benefactor resided in Guyana between 2015 and
2017. Her selfless efforts have saved many lives.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">SASOD Guyana extends sincere
condolences to the family and friends of Namela Henry in this time of
bereavement. <o:p></o:p></p>SASOD Guyanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01452359346236525674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11104569.post-48743004931197946142021-02-17T11:37:00.001-08:002021-03-30T09:42:53.386-07:00Photo-Release: SASOD Guyana Discusses Recent Research with Health Minister<p> </p><p class="MsoNormal">On Wednesday, February 17, 2021, SASOD Guyana’s Managing
Director Joel Simpson (centre) met with and discussed the findings and
recommendations of two recent research reports published by his organization to
the Minister of Health, Hon. Dr. Frank Anthony, M.P. The reports are titled
“Desires for Care and Access to Services among Transgender Persons in Guyana
(March 2020) and “Qualitative Assessment of HIV Services for Key Populations in
Guyana during the COVID-19 Pandemic (January 2021). </p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjiVUjjnWyPUyzgp7Y0w-7eLjeCgqsIOSIlD7PWJCrhdrG1L8pvjg6BSjH8k47C_PesiD8WcfxiGUzt7RRwPIvisejUof7pMN6lwkiK2RKwrQLI9gouM7w1uqkp1jP_H-xqZkEkw/s2048/MOH_SASODGuyana_17Feb21+%2528002%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1086" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjiVUjjnWyPUyzgp7Y0w-7eLjeCgqsIOSIlD7PWJCrhdrG1L8pvjg6BSjH8k47C_PesiD8WcfxiGUzt7RRwPIvisejUof7pMN6lwkiK2RKwrQLI9gouM7w1uqkp1jP_H-xqZkEkw/s320/MOH_SASODGuyana_17Feb21+%2528002%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />Simpson was accompanied by
SASOD Guyana’s Human Rights Coordinator, Kobe Smith (second from right) and
Community Representative on the Guyana Global Fund Country Coordinating
Mechanism, Christopher France (right). Programme Manager of the National AIDS
Programme Secretariat, Dr. Tariq Jagnarine (left) also participated in the
meeting at the Minister’s Secretariat. <o:p></o:p><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Photo Credit: Aubrey Odle for Ministry of Health <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>SASOD Guyanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01452359346236525674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11104569.post-16231908389172143352020-09-03T06:30:00.001-07:002021-03-30T09:37:28.179-07:00Sex-Positive Youth Groups Call on New Government to Improve Sexual Health<p> </p><p class="MsoNormal">World Sexual Health Day, observed on September 4 annually,
provides the opportunity to galvanize action for the promotion of sexual health
for all, irrespective of age, race, ethnicity, religion, sex, gender, sexual
orientation, gender identity, health status, national origin or any other human
characteristics. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">The reality, though, is that
every day should be Sexual Health Day. Every day, people are faced with the
issues of early sexual debut, unsafe sex practices, the contraction of sexually
transmitted infections (STIs) including HIV, and the lack of access to sexual
health information and services. Young women, girls, youth, sex workers and lesbian,
gay, bisexual, transgender and other queer (LGBTQ+) people are most
affected.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">According to “The Situation
Analysis of Adolescent Pregnancy in Guyana” Report (UNICEF, 2018), Guyana recorded
the second highest rate of adolescent pregnancy in Latin America and the
Caribbean, with 19 to 22% of girls becoming pregnant before the age of 18. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">In 2014 alone, UNICEF found that
15% of adolescents between the ages of 15 and 19 began childbearing and that
62% of adolescents between the ages of 15 and 19 have an unmet contraception
need. Additionally, Guyana has noticed an increase in HIV and other STIs among
the youth demographic.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Further to this, discrimination,
stigma, fear, and violence prevent many people from accessing basic sexual
health services. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">The Government must do more to realize
our legal right to the highest attainable standard of health. Article 24 of the
Constitution of Guyana provides that every citizen has the right to free
medical attention.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Let us be clear: Guyana must do
more for vulnerable groups and their sexual health. And therefore, ASPIRE Youth
Network - Guyana, Guyana Responsible Parenthood Association’s Youth Advocacy
Movement, SASOD Guyana and SRHR Adventures call on the new PPP/C Government to:<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Invest in training for healthcare workers to
deliver confidential, youth-friendly, and non-discriminatory services;<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Invest in mobile clinics and tele-medicine to
deliver sexual health services and care during the COVID-19 pandemic;<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Provide PrEP for those at substantial risk of
HIV infection in accordance with WHO guidelines; <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Promote sexual health information on all media
platforms; <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Conduct age-appropriate, comprehensive sexuality
education in schools; and <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Support civil society organisations as partners in
addressing sexual health issues in Guyana.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Because sexual health matters; today
and always. <span style="color: red;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: lined .5in; text-align: justify;"><b>ASPIRE Youth Network – Guyana<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><b>Guyana Responsible Parenthood Association’s Youth Advocacy Movement<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><b>SASOD Guyana<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><b>SRHR Adventurers <o:p></o:p></b></p>SASOD Guyanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01452359346236525674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11104569.post-15240800812047932432020-08-11T09:32:00.001-07:002021-03-30T09:35:33.234-07:00Call to Action to the New PPP/C Government on Priority Issues for the First Year in Office on International Youth Day<p> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">International
Youth Day (IYD) provides the opportunity to recognize the power of all youth,
including those often left behind with unmet needs. The theme for IYD 2020 as
prescribed by the United Nations, “Youth Engagement for Global Action,”
highlights the importance of placing young people at the center of social
justice and advocacy, especially when human rights and dignity of people are
threatened and restricted. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">For over
17 years, SASOD Guyana has been defending and promoting the rights of
vulnerable groups in Guyana, including LGBTQ+ persons and marginalized youth
who are subject to discrimination, violence, and persecution, for simply being
who they are. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Together
with local and regional partners, SASOD Guyana fought tirelessly to bring an
end to the archaic law against cross-dressing, which was struck down by the
Caribbean Court of Justice, almost 2 years ago. We have trained hundreds of
police officers on issues related to gender and sexuality, and how to interact
with LGBTQ+ youth. Notably, SASOD Guyana continuously documents abuses and
offers pro-bono legal services to young women, girls, marginalized youth, and
LGBTQ+ persons, as they seek to pursue justice against violators of their human
rights. But we all must do more for, with and by them. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Amidst
the COVID-19 pandemic, the situation of poverty, unemployment, and violence
faced by youth further inhibits their potential to lead healthy and promising
lives. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">While the
recently installed PPP/C Government has included some young people in its
Cabinet, its sincerity to addressing issues affecting youth will be measured by
its actions. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">In the
spirit of IYD 2020, SASOD Guyana calls on the new PPP/C Government to implement
these top 5 actions for marginalized youth in its first year in office: <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="line-height: 150%; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia; mso-fareast-font-family: Georgia;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Repeal sections 351 to 353 of the Criminal Law
(Offences) Act which criminalize same-sex intimacy between consenting, adult
men in private. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia; mso-fareast-font-family: Georgia;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Include sexual orientation, gender identity and
gender expression as prohibited grounds for discrimination in the Prevention of
Discrimination Act (Section 4).<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia; mso-fareast-font-family: Georgia;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Introduce Comprehensive Sexuality Education all
schools in Guyana to provide young people with the tools they need to make more
informed decisions to either delay their sexual debut or prevent teenage
pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections, if they choose to be sexually
active. Comprehensive sexuality education would also inform students about
diverse sexualities and genders, and reduce targeted bullying of LGBTQ+
students in Guyana’s public schools.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia; mso-fareast-font-family: Georgia;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Provide access to housing for LGBTQ+ people,
especially children, who have been temporarily displaced or rendered homeless
due to bias violence.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="line-height: 150%; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia; mso-fareast-font-family: Georgia;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">5.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Provide comprehensive and accessible
entrepreneurial training programmes for vulnerable groups, especially LGBTQ+ youth,
and make capital accessible to start up small businesses through grants and
low-interest lending schemes.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">SASOD
Guyana asserts that these top 5 actions, coupled with supportive programmes,
will move the needle for marginalized youth and advance equality for all young
people. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>SASOD Guyanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01452359346236525674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11104569.post-38245291958283065572020-06-23T09:57:00.000-07:002020-06-23T13:36:29.995-07:00STATEMENTS BY THE PRESIDENT OF MEXICO ON THE DISAPPEARANCE OF THE CONAPRED<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US">June<span style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt;"> 22,</span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt;">2020</span></span><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -0.05pt;">The</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: 0.5pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -0.05pt;">Coalition</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: 0.25pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -0.05pt;">of</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: 0.3pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -0.05pt;">LGBTTTI</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: 0.35pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -0.05pt;">Organizations</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: 0.4pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -0.05pt;">of</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: 0.1pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -0.05pt;">Latin</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: 0.55pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt;">America</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: 0.5pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: 0.05pt;">and</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: 0.1pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -0.05pt;">the</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: 0.3pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -0.05pt;">Caribbean</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: 0.5pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -0.05pt;">working</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: 0.25pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt;">within</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: 2.35pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -0.05pt;">the</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: 0.5pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -0.05pt;">framework</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: 0.4pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -0.05pt;">of</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: 0.3pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -0.05pt;">the</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: 0.55pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -0.05pt;">OAS,</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: 0.4pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt;">made</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: 0.55pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -0.05pt;">up</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: 0.5pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -0.05pt;">of</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: 0.35pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -0.05pt;">the</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: 0.55pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt;">undersigned</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: 0.3pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -0.05pt;">organizations,</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: 0.45pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -0.05pt;">reject</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: 0.45pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -0.05pt;">the</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: 0.55pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -0.05pt;">statements</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: 4pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US">made<span style="letter-spacing: .2pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">by</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.15pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">President</span><span style="letter-spacing: .15pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">Andrés</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">Manuel</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;"> </span>López<span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">Obrador</span><span style="letter-spacing: .1pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">to</span><span style="letter-spacing: .1pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.15pt;">the</span><span style="letter-spacing: .25pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">National</span><span style="letter-spacing: .15pt;">
</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">Council</span><span style="letter-spacing: .15pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;">for</span><span style="letter-spacing: .05pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">the</span><span style="letter-spacing: .05pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">Prevention</span><span style="letter-spacing: 3.25pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">of</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.55pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">Discrimination</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.4pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">(CONAPRED).</span></span><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -0.05pt;">The</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: 1.3pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -0.05pt;">National</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: 0.95pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -0.05pt;">Council</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: 1.15pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt;">for</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: 1.1pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -0.05pt;">the</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: 1.3pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -0.05pt;">Prevention</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: 1.05pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -0.05pt;">of</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: 1.05pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -0.05pt;">Discrimination</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: 1pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -0.05pt;">CONAPRED,</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: 1.15pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -0.05pt;">is</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: 1.2pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -0.05pt;">the</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: 1.05pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -0.05pt;">leading</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: 2.55pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -0.05pt;">institution</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: 1.8pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt;">for</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: 1.65pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -0.05pt;">promoting</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: 1.55pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -0.05pt;">policies</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: 1.7pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: 0.05pt;">and</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: 1.4pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -0.05pt;">measures</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: 1.55pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;">to</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: 1.6pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt;">contribute</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: 1.9pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -0.05pt;">to</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: 1.65pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -0.05pt;">cultural</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: 1.75pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: 0.05pt;">and</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: 1.6pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -0.05pt;">social</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: 3.55pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -0.05pt;">development,</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: 0.2pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -0.05pt;">to</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -0.05pt;">advance</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: 0.3pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -0.05pt;">social</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: 0.2pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -0.05pt;">inclusion</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: 0.3pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: 0.05pt;">and</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: 0.1pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -0.05pt;">to</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: 0.15pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt;">guarantee</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: 0.3pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -0.05pt;">the</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: 0.3pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -0.05pt;">right</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: 0.2pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -0.05pt;">to</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: 0.15pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -0.05pt;">equality,</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: 0.2pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt;">which</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: 0.1pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -0.05pt;">is</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: 0.25pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -0.05pt;">the</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: 4.05pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -0.05pt;">first of</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -0.05pt;">the</span><span lang="EN-US"> <span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">fundamental</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">rights
</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.25pt;">i</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.2pt;">n</span> <span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">the</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.2pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">Mexican</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.25pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">Federal</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.35pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">Constitution.</span></span><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -0.05pt;">CONAPRED</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -0.6pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US">has<span style="letter-spacing: -.5pt;"> </span>been<span style="letter-spacing: -.7pt;"> </span>a<span style="letter-spacing: -.4pt;"> </span>key<span style="letter-spacing: -.6pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;">institution</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.5pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;">for</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.6pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">the</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.4pt;"> </span>advancement<span style="letter-spacing: -.75pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: .05pt;">and</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.65pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;">guarantee</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.45pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">of</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.65pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">the</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.4pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">human</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.45pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">rights</span><span style="letter-spacing: 3.2pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">of</span><span style="letter-spacing: .55pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">the</span><span style="letter-spacing: .75pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">most</span><span style="letter-spacing: .45pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">vulnerable</span><span style="letter-spacing: .5pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">populations,</span><span style="letter-spacing: .65pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;">including</span><span style="letter-spacing: .45pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">LGBTTTI</span><span style="letter-spacing: .55pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">populations.</span><span style="letter-spacing: .4pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">From</span><span style="letter-spacing: .55pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">this</span><span style="letter-spacing: .65pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">Coalition</span><span style="letter-spacing: .5pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">we</span><span style="letter-spacing: 3.7pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">have
seen its </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;">work</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.15pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">on
different</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.35pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">occasions</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;">
</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">such</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.25pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: .1pt;">as:</span></span><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 41.05pt; margin-right: 38.5pt; margin-top: 8.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: 41.05pt; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -0.05pt;">During</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: 0.2pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -0.05pt;">the</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: 0.3pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt;">47th</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: 0.15pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -0.05pt;">General Assembly</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -0.05pt;">of</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: 0.05pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -0.05pt;">the</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: 0.05pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -0.05pt;">OAS</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: 0.25pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -0.05pt;">held</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: 0.1pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;">i</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;">n</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: 0.05pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US">Cancun,<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> Quintana</span><span style="letter-spacing: .05pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;">Roo,</span><span style="letter-spacing: .15pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">in</span><span style="letter-spacing: .3pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;">2017,</span><span style="letter-spacing: 3.25pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">ensuring</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.4pt;">
</span>a<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> space</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.3pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">free</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.3pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">of</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.3pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">discrimination
</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;">for</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.2pt;"> </span>organized<span style="letter-spacing: -.3pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;">civil</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.15pt;"> </span>society.</span><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 108%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 41.05pt; margin-right: 38.5pt; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: 41.05pt; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -0.05pt;">With</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: 2.35pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -0.05pt;">the</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: 2.3pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -0.05pt;">preparation</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: 2.25pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -0.05pt;">of</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: 2.35pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -0.05pt;">the</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: 2.3pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -0.05pt;">Survey</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: 2.35pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -0.05pt;">on</span><span lang="EN-US"> <span style="letter-spacing: .1pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">Discrimination</span>
<span style="letter-spacing: .15pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">on</span><span style="letter-spacing: 2.2pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">the</span><span style="letter-spacing: 2.3pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">Grounds</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">of</span><span style="letter-spacing: 2.35pt;"> </span>Sexual<span style="letter-spacing: 1.35pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">Orientation</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.15pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">and</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.3pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">Gender</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.25pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">Identity</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.25pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">ENDOSIG</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.4pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;">2018.</span></span><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 41.05pt; margin-right: 38.0pt; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: 41.05pt; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -0.05pt;">By</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: 0.6pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -0.05pt;">promoting</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: 0.7pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -0.05pt;">the</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: 0.75pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US">signing<span style="letter-spacing: .45pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: .05pt;">and</span><span style="letter-spacing: .55pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">ratification</span><span style="letter-spacing: .75pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">of</span><span style="letter-spacing: .55pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">the</span><span style="letter-spacing: .75pt;"> </span>Inter-American<span style="letter-spacing: .75pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">Convention</span><span style="letter-spacing: .75pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">against</span><span style="letter-spacing: 2.05pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">All</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.15pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">Forms</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">of</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.25pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">Discrimination</span>
<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">and</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.25pt;">
</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">Intolerance</span> <span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">in</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.25pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;">2019</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.25pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: .05pt;">and</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.2pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;">2020.</span></span><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 5.0pt; margin-right: 38.1pt; margin-top: 8.05pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -0.05pt;">Requesting</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: 0.05pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;">the</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: 0.1pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -0.05pt;">resignation</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: 0.1pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -0.05pt;">of</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: 2.35pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -0.05pt;">its</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: 0.05pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US">head<span style="letter-spacing: 2.05pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: .05pt;">and</span><span style="letter-spacing: 2.05pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">affirming</span><span style="letter-spacing: .05pt;">
</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">the</span><span style="letter-spacing: 2.3pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">possible</span><span style="letter-spacing: .1pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">disappearance</span><span style="letter-spacing: .1pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">of</span><span style="letter-spacing: 2.35pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">this</span><span style="letter-spacing: 2.85pt; mso-font-width: 99%;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">institution</span> are<span style="letter-spacing: -.25pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">actions </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;">that </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">represent</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.3pt;"> </span>a<span style="letter-spacing: -.25pt;"> </span>very<span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;"> serious </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">setback
to</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.15pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">the</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.15pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">advancement</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">of</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.15pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;">our</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.15pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">rights</span><span style="letter-spacing: 3.1pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: .05pt;">and</span><span style="letter-spacing: .1pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">it</span><span style="letter-spacing: .2pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">is</span><span style="letter-spacing: .2pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;">for</span><span style="letter-spacing: .15pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">this</span><span style="letter-spacing: .2pt;"> </span>reason<span style="letter-spacing: .3pt;"> </span>that<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;">from</span><span style="letter-spacing: .3pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">this</span><span style="letter-spacing: .2pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">Coalition</span><span style="letter-spacing: .3pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">we</span><span style="letter-spacing: .1pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">pronounce</span><span style="letter-spacing: .3pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">ourselves</span><span style="letter-spacing: .2pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">against</span><span style="letter-spacing: .25pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">it </span><span style="letter-spacing: .05pt;">and</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.15pt;"> </span>make<span style="letter-spacing: 2.7pt;"> </span>a<span style="letter-spacing: -.15pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">strong</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.25pt;">
</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">call</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.25pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">to</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.35pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">stop</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">the</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.4pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">attacks</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.3pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">against</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.2pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">it,</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.25pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">to</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.35pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">reinforce</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.15pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">its</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.25pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">valuable</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.35pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: .05pt;">and</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.4pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">necessary</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.3pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">mission</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.2pt;"> </span>and,<span style="letter-spacing: 3.55pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">above</span><span style="letter-spacing: .05pt;"> </span>all,<span style="letter-spacing: -.3pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">to</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">strengthen</span><span style="letter-spacing: .05pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">its</span>
<span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;">work</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">
with</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;"> </span>a<span style="letter-spacing: -.2pt;"> </span>greater<span style="letter-spacing: -.3pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">budgetary</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;">
</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">allocation.</span></span><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 5.0pt; margin-right: 37.9pt; margin-top: 7.8pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -0.05pt;">The</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: 1.2pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -0.05pt;">National</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: 1.15pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -0.05pt;">Council</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: 1.15pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt;">for</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: 1.1pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -0.05pt;">the</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: 1.25pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -0.05pt;">Prevention</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: 1.2pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -0.05pt;">of</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: 1.05pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -0.05pt;">Discrimination</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: 1.2pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -0.05pt;">deals</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: 1.1pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -0.05pt;">with</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: 1.1pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -0.05pt;">around</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: 1pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -0.05pt;">six</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: 1.05pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -0.05pt;">thousand</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: 2.85pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -0.05pt;">complaints</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: 0.2pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US">a<span style="letter-spacing: .5pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">year</span><span style="letter-spacing: .15pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;">from</span><span style="letter-spacing: .55pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">people</span><span style="letter-spacing: .3pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">who</span><span style="letter-spacing: .35pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">believe</span><span style="letter-spacing: .5pt;"> </span>they<span style="letter-spacing: .15pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">have</span><span style="letter-spacing: .3pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">been</span><span style="letter-spacing: .55pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">discriminated</span><span style="letter-spacing: .3pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">against,</span><span style="letter-spacing: .2pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">promotes</span><span style="letter-spacing: 3.65pt; mso-font-width: 99%;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">dialogue</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.2pt;">
</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">between</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.25pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">different</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.55pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">sectors</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.3pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">of</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.35pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;">our</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.4pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">society,</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.35pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;">both</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.6pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">nationally</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.4pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">and</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.4pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">internationally,</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.6pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">and</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.4pt;"> </span>has<span style="letter-spacing: 2.95pt; mso-font-width: 99%;"> </span>been<span style="letter-spacing: -.5pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;">key</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.65pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">in</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.45pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">generating</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.55pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">reliable</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.45pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">information</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.7pt;"> </span>that<span style="letter-spacing: -.5pt;"> </span>has<span style="letter-spacing: -.8pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;">provided</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.65pt;"> </span>accurate <span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">data</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.45pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">on</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.5pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">discrimination</span><span style="letter-spacing: 2.05pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">in</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">Mexico.</span></span><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 5.0pt; margin-right: 38.25pt; margin-top: 8.05pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -0.05pt;">With</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -0.35pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US">a<span style="letter-spacing: -.15pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">clear</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.35pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;">agenda</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.15pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">and</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.4pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">tangible</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.15pt;">
</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">results,</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.3pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">despite</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.4pt;"> </span>a<span style="letter-spacing: -.15pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;">small</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.25pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">budget</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.25pt;">
</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">and</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.4pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">limited</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.4pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;">staff,</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.3pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">CONAPRED,</span><span style="letter-spacing: 3.65pt; mso-font-width: 99%;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">today</span><span style="letter-spacing: 1.6pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">more</span><span style="letter-spacing: 1.8pt;"> </span>than<span style="letter-spacing: 1.75pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">ever,</span><span style="letter-spacing: 1.65pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">needs</span><span style="letter-spacing: 1.7pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">to</span><span style="letter-spacing: 1.55pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">strengthen</span><span style="letter-spacing: 1.75pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">its</span><span style="letter-spacing: 1.7pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;">independence</span><span style="letter-spacing: 1.55pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: .05pt;">and</span><span style="letter-spacing: 1.55pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">capacity</span><span style="letter-spacing: 1.65pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;">for</span><span style="letter-spacing: 1.6pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">action.</span><span style="letter-spacing: 1.6pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: .05pt;">We</span><span style="letter-spacing: 3.55pt; mso-font-width: 99%;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">reiterate</span> <span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;">our</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.15pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">commitment</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">to</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.15pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">this</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">institution</span>
<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">and</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.2pt;">
</span>request<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;">that </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">its
importance</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.2pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">be</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.25pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">reassessed.</span></span><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -0.05pt;">To</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: 1.4pt;"> </span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -0.05pt;">disregard</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: 1.4pt;"> </span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">the<span style="letter-spacing: 1.35pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">work</span><span style="letter-spacing: 1.45pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: .1pt;">of</span><span style="letter-spacing: 1.4pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">the</span><span style="letter-spacing: 1.35pt;"> </span>National<span style="letter-spacing: 1.6pt;">
</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">Council</span><span style="letter-spacing: 1.55pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.15pt;">for</span><span style="letter-spacing: 1.4pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">the</span><span style="letter-spacing: 1.4pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">Prevention</span><span style="letter-spacing: 1.55pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">of</span><span style="letter-spacing: 1.4pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">Discrimination</span><span style="letter-spacing: 2.9pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">(CONAPRED)</span><span style="letter-spacing: 1.8px;"> </span>is<span style="letter-spacing: 1.4pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">to</span><span style="letter-spacing: 1.4pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">disregard</span><span style="letter-spacing: 1.35pt;">
</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">the</span><span style="letter-spacing: 1.5pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">fight</span><span style="letter-spacing: 1.45pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">for</span><span style="letter-spacing: 1.35pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">the</span><span style="letter-spacing: 1.35pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">advancement</span><span style="letter-spacing: 1.4pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">of</span><span style="letter-spacing: 1.35pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">human</span><span style="letter-spacing: 1.25pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">rights</span><span style="letter-spacing: 1.35pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">and</span><span style="letter-spacing: 1.35pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">the</span><span style="letter-spacing: 2.65pt; mso-font-width: 99%;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">work</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.3pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">of</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.4pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">organized</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.35pt;">
</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">civil</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.4pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">society,</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.35pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">which</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.35pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: .1pt;">in</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.45pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">2003</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.5pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">led</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.35pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">to</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.3pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">the</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.35pt;"> </span>issuance<span style="letter-spacing: -.3pt;">
</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">of</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.4pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">the</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.35pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;">Federal</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.2pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">Law</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.3pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;">for</span><span style="letter-spacing: 3.1pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">the</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.2pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">Prevention</span>
<span style="letter-spacing: .05pt;">and</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.2pt;">
</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;">Elimination</span> <span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">of</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.15pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">Discrimination,</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.4pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">which</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.15pt;"> </span>gave<span style="letter-spacing: -.15pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">rise</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.2pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">to</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.15pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">this</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.15pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">Council.</span></span></b><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 107%;"><br clear="all" style="mso-break-type: section-break; page-break-before: always;" />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 108%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 5.0pt; margin-right: 5.35pt; margin-top: 2.05pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -0.05pt;">The</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US"> <span style="letter-spacing: .45pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">following</span>
<span style="letter-spacing: .55pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">organizations</span> <span style="letter-spacing: .5pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">signed</span> <span style="letter-spacing: .45pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">on</span>
<span style="letter-spacing: .35pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span>as
<span style="letter-spacing: .5pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">part</span> <span style="letter-spacing: .5pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">of</span>
<span style="letter-spacing: .4pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">the</span> <span style="letter-spacing: .45pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">LGBTTTI</span>
<span style="letter-spacing: .4pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">Coalition of</span> <span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">Latin</span><span style="letter-spacing: 3.6pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">American</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.25pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: .05pt;">and</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.2pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;">Caribbean</span><span style="letter-spacing: .2pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">organizations</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">working</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;"> within</span> <span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">the</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.2pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;">framework</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> of</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.2pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">the</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.2pt;"> </span>OAS:</span></b><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 5.75pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 7.65pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: 20.3pt; text-indent: 5.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -.1pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><br /></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -.1pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"> 1.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -.25pt;">Arge</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -.2pt;">n</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -.25pt;">t</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -.2pt;">ina</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">‐<span style="letter-spacing: .55pt;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">AKAHATÁ</span><span lang="EN-US"> <span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;">Equipo</span><span style="letter-spacing: .2pt;"> </span>de
<span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;">Trabajo</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>en <span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;">Sexualidades</span><span style="letter-spacing: .05pt;"> </span>y<span style="letter-spacing: .2pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;">Género</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 20.3pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .4pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: 20.3pt; text-indent: -9.55pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -.1pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;">Argentina</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: .05pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">‐<span style="letter-spacing: .15pt;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">ATTTA</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -.15pt;">(RedLACTrans)</span><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 20.3pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .4pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: 20.3pt; text-indent: -9.55pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -.1pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">Belize</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">‐ </span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: .05pt;">TIA</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;">Belize</span><span lang="EN-US"> <span style="letter-spacing: -.15pt;">(RedLACTrans)</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-left: 20.3pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: 20.3pt; text-indent: -9.55pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -.1pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;">Belize</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -.15pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">‐<span style="letter-spacing: .2pt;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -.15pt;">United</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -.15pt;">Belize</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: .1pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -.15pt;">Advocacy Movement</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;">(UNIBAM)</span><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-left: 20.3pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: 20.3pt; text-indent: -9.55pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -.1pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">5.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;">Bolivia</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: .15pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">‐ </span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;">Red</span><span lang="EN-US"> <span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;">Nacional</span><span style="letter-spacing: .3pt;"> </span>de<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.15pt;">Mujeres</span><span style="letter-spacing: .05pt;">
</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;">Trans</span><span style="letter-spacing: .25pt;"> </span>en<span style="letter-spacing: -.3pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;">Bolivia</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">
</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;">(REDTREBOL)</span><span style="letter-spacing: .1pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.15pt;">(RedLACTrans)</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 20.3pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .4pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: 20.3pt; text-indent: -9.55pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -.1pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">6.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;">Bolivia</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: .15pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">‐<span style="letter-spacing: .3pt;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;">Fundación</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: .25pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -.15pt;">Diversencia</span><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-left: 20.3pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: 20.3pt; text-indent: -9.55pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -.1pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">7.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;">Brasil</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">‐ </span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -.15pt;">Articulação</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;">Política </span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -.15pt;">das</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: .25pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -.15pt;">Juventudes</span><span lang="EN-US"> <span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;">Negras</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 20.3pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .4pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: 20.3pt; text-indent: -9.55pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -.1pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">8.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">Brasil</span><span lang="EN-US"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">‐<span style="letter-spacing: .25pt;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;">Grupo</span><span lang="EN-US"> <span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">Ativista</span><span style="letter-spacing: .15pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.15pt;">de</span>
<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">Travestis,</span><span style="letter-spacing: .1pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;">Transexuais</span><span style="letter-spacing: .25pt;"> </span>e <span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">Amig@s</span>
<span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;">(GATTA)</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-left: 20.3pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: 20.3pt; text-indent: -9.55pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -.1pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">9.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">Brasil</span><span lang="EN-US"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">‐<span style="letter-spacing: .3pt;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">Grupo</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -.25pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;">Esperança</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt; text-indent: -14.3pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">10. B</span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt; text-indent: -14.3pt;">rasil</span><span lang="EN-US" style="text-indent: -14.3pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="text-indent: -14.3pt;">‐<span style="letter-spacing: .05pt;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt; text-indent: -14.3pt;">Liga</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -0.05pt; text-indent: -14.3pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt; text-indent: -14.3pt;">Brasileira</span><span lang="EN-US" style="text-indent: -14.3pt;"> <span style="letter-spacing: -.15pt;">de</span> <span style="letter-spacing: -.15pt;">Lesbicas</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.2pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;">(LBL)</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: 25.3pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -.1pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"> 11.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;">Brasil</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: .05pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">‐<span style="letter-spacing: .05pt;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -.15pt;">Rede</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: .3pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;">Nacional</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: .05pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -.15pt;">de</span><span lang="EN-US"> <span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;">Negr@s</span><span style="letter-spacing: .3pt;"> </span>e
<span style="letter-spacing: -.15pt;">Afros</span><span style="letter-spacing: .25pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;">LGBTTT</span><span style="letter-spacing: .15pt;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -.15pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">(Rede‐Afros‐LGBTTT)</span><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: 25.3pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -.1pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"> 12.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;">Canada* </span><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">‐<span style="letter-spacing: .05pt;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;">*The</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: .3pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;">Canadian</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -.2pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;">HIV/AIDS Legal</span><span lang="EN-US"> <span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;">Network</span> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">–<span style="letter-spacing: .25pt;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;">Canada</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -.25pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;">(*Associate Member*</span><span lang="EN-US"><span style="letter-spacing: -.15pt;">)</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-top: .4pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: 25.3pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -.1pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"> 13.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;">Chile</span><span lang="EN-US"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">‐<span style="letter-spacing: .05pt;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -.15pt;">Asociación</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: .3pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US">OTD<span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;"> Organizando</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.25pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">Trans</span><span style="letter-spacing: .3pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.15pt;">Diversidades</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -.1pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"> 14.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;">Chile</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">‐<span style="letter-spacing: .25pt;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;">Corporación</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -.45pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;">Chilena</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -.55pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US">de<span style="letter-spacing: -.45pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;">Personas</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.25pt;">
</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">Trans</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.45pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;">Amanda</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.15pt;">Jofré</span><span style="letter-spacing: .25pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.15pt;">(RedLACTrans)</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -.1pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"> 15.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;">Colombia
</span><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">‐<span style="letter-spacing: .3pt;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -.15pt;">Asociación</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -.25pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;">Lideres</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: .05pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US">en <span style="letter-spacing: -.15pt;">Acción</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -.1pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"> 16.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;">Colombia</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: .15pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">–<span style="letter-spacing: .2pt;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -.15pt;">Caribe</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: .05pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -.15pt;">Afirmativo</span><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: 25.3pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -.1pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"> 17.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;">Colombia</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: .25pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">‐<span style="letter-spacing: .1pt;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;">Colombia</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: .05pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;">Diversa</span><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -.1pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"> 18.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;">Colombia</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: .25pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">‐<span style="letter-spacing: .35pt;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -.15pt;">Fundación</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: .6pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -.15pt;">Santamaría</span><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: 25.3pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -.1pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"> 19.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;">Colombia</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: .15pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">‐<span style="letter-spacing: .05pt;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;">Red</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: .5pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -.15pt;">Comunitaria</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;">Trans</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: .05pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -.15pt;">(RedLACTrans)</span><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-top: .4pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: 25.3pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -.1pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">20.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;">Costa</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -.15pt;">Rica</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: .2pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">‐<span style="letter-spacing: .05pt;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -.15pt;">Mulabi</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: .3pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">‐<span style="letter-spacing: -.15pt;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;">Espacio</span><span lang="EN-US"> <span style="letter-spacing: -.15pt;">Latinoamericano</span> de <span style="letter-spacing: -.15pt;">Sexualidades</span><span style="letter-spacing: .05pt;"> </span>y<span style="letter-spacing: .45pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.15pt;">Derechos</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: 25.3pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -.1pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">21.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;">Costa</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -.15pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">Rica</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: .05pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">‐ </span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;">TRANSVIDA</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -.15pt;">(RedLACTrans)</span><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: 25.3pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -.1pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">22.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;">Costa </span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">Rica</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">–<span style="letter-spacing: .25pt;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -.15pt;">Asociación</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: .2pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -.15pt;">Ciudadana</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;"> Acceder</span><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-top: .4pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: 25.3pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -.1pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">23.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;">Dominica</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: .15pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">‐<span style="letter-spacing: .05pt;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;">Dominica</span><span lang="EN-US"> <span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;">Chapter</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">
of</span><span style="letter-spacing: .15pt;"> </span>the<span style="letter-spacing: .3pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.15pt;">Caribbean</span><span style="letter-spacing: .05pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">HIV</span><span style="letter-spacing: .35pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.15pt;">and</span><span style="letter-spacing: .25pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;">AIDS</span><span style="letter-spacing: .2pt;"> P</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.15pt;">artnership</span>
<span style="letter-spacing: -.15pt;">(DomCHAP)</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: 25.3pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -.1pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">24.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;">Ecuador </span><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">‐<span style="letter-spacing: .55pt;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -.15pt;">Asociación</span><span lang="EN-US"> <span style="letter-spacing: -.15pt;">Alfil</span><span style="letter-spacing: .3pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.15pt;">(RedLACTrans)</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: 25.3pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -.1pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">25.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">Ecuador </span><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">‐<span style="letter-spacing: .05pt;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">Taller</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: .25pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -.15pt;">de</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: .2pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;">Comunicación</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: .05pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">Mujer</span><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: 25.3pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -.1pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">26.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: .05pt;">El</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: .3pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -.15pt;">Salvador</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">‐<span style="letter-spacing: .4pt;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -.15pt;">Asociación</span><span lang="EN-US"> <span style="letter-spacing: -.15pt;">Aspidh</span><span style="letter-spacing: .25pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.15pt;">Arcoiris</span><span style="letter-spacing: .1pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.15pt;">(RedLACTrans)</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-top: .4pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: 25.3pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -.1pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">27.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">Grenada</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">‐<span style="letter-spacing: .3pt;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;">Grenada</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: .25pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;">Chapter</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: .15pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -.15pt;">of</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: .35pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;">the</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: .2pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -.15pt;">Caribbean</span><span lang="EN-US"> <span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">HIV</span><span style="letter-spacing: .35pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.15pt;">and</span><span style="letter-spacing: .2pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;">AIDS Partnership</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.25pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;">(GrenCHAP)</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-top: 0.4pt; text-indent: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt; text-indent: -14.3pt;">28.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -0.05pt; text-indent: -14.3pt;">Guatemala</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: 0.2pt; text-indent: -14.3pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="text-indent: -14.3pt;">‐<span style="letter-spacing: .35pt;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt; text-indent: -14.3pt;">Organización</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: 0.25pt; text-indent: -14.3pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt; text-indent: -14.3pt;">Trans</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: 0.05pt; text-indent: -14.3pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -0.05pt; text-indent: -14.3pt;">Reinas</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: 0.05pt; text-indent: -14.3pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="text-indent: -14.3pt;">de la<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> Noche</span><span style="letter-spacing: .05pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;">(OTRANS)</span><span style="letter-spacing: .15pt;">
</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.15pt;">(RedLACTrans)</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt; text-indent: -14.3pt;">29.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt; text-indent: -14.3pt;">Guyana</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: 0.15pt; text-indent: -14.3pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="text-indent: -14.3pt;">‐<span style="letter-spacing: .25pt;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt; text-indent: -14.3pt;">Society</span><span lang="EN-US" style="text-indent: -14.3pt;"> <span style="letter-spacing: -.15pt;">Against</span><span style="letter-spacing: .25pt;">
</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;">Sexual</span> <span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;">Orientation</span><span style="letter-spacing: .3pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.15pt;">Discrimination</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.15pt;">(SASOD)</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-top: 0.4pt; text-indent: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt; text-indent: -14.3pt;">30.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt; text-indent: -14.3pt;">Honduras</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: 0.2pt; text-indent: -14.3pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="text-indent: -14.3pt;">–<span style="letter-spacing: .05pt;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt; text-indent: -14.3pt;">Asociación</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: 0.05pt; text-indent: -14.3pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -0.05pt; text-indent: -14.3pt;">para </span><span lang="EN-US" style="text-indent: -14.3pt;">una<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">
Vida Mejor </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.15pt;">(APUVIMEH)</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt; text-indent: -14.3pt;">31.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt; text-indent: -14.3pt;">Honduras</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: 0.25pt; text-indent: -14.3pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="text-indent: -14.3pt;">‐<span style="letter-spacing: .3pt;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt; text-indent: -14.3pt;">Colectivo</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: 0.1pt; text-indent: -14.3pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt; text-indent: -14.3pt;">Unidad</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: 0.25pt; text-indent: -14.3pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt; text-indent: -14.3pt;">Color </span><span lang="EN-US" style="text-indent: -14.3pt;">Rosa<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;">(RedLACTrans)</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: 25.3pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -.1pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">32.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;">Jamaica </span><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">‐<span style="letter-spacing: .3pt;"> Equality for All Foundation (</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;">J‐FLAG)</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: 25.3pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -.1pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">33.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">México</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: .25pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">‐<span style="letter-spacing: .1pt;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;">Letra</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: .25pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US">S<span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.15pt;">SIDA,</span><span style="letter-spacing: .35pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.15pt;">Cultura</span><span style="letter-spacing: .25pt;">
</span>y <span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">Vida</span><span style="letter-spacing: .25pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.15pt;">Cotidiana</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: 25.3pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -.1pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">34.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">México</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: .15pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">‐<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;">Red</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> Mexicana</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: .1pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -.15pt;">de</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: .2pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;">Mujeres</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> Trans </span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;">(RedLACTrans)</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-indent: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt; text-indent: -14.3pt;">35.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -0.05pt; text-indent: -14.3pt;">México</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: 0.25pt; text-indent: -14.3pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="text-indent: -14.3pt;">‐<span style="letter-spacing: .05pt;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt; text-indent: -14.3pt;">Fundación</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: 0.1pt; text-indent: -14.3pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt; text-indent: -14.3pt;">Arcoíris</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: 0.3pt; text-indent: -14.3pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -0.05pt; text-indent: -14.3pt;">por </span><span lang="EN-US" style="text-indent: -14.3pt;">el<span style="letter-spacing: -.15pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;">Respeto</span><span style="letter-spacing: .25pt;"> </span>a la<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;">Diversidad</span><span style="letter-spacing: .05pt;">
</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;">Sexual</span><span style="letter-spacing: .05pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">A.C.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-top: .4pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: 25.3pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -.1pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">36.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">México</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: .25pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">– </span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">Las</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: .1pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">Reinas</span><span lang="EN-US"> <span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;">Chulas,</span><span style="letter-spacing: .4pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;">Cabaret</span><span style="letter-spacing: .35pt;"> </span>y<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.15pt;">Derechos</span><span style="letter-spacing: .1pt;">
</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.15pt;">Humanos,</span><span style="letter-spacing: .4pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;">A.C</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt; text-indent: -14.3pt;">37.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt; text-indent: -14.3pt;">Nicaragua</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: 0.1pt; text-indent: -14.3pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="text-indent: -14.3pt;">‐<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt; text-indent: -14.3pt;">Red</span><span lang="EN-US" style="text-indent: -14.3pt;"> <span style="letter-spacing: -.15pt;">Nicaragüense</span><span style="letter-spacing: .2pt;"> </span>de<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> Activistas </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.15pt;">Trans</span><span style="letter-spacing: .2pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.15pt;">(REDTRANS)</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: 25.3pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -.1pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">38.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">Nicaragua</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: .1pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">‐<span style="letter-spacing: .45pt;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;">ODETRANS</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: .1pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;">(RedLACTrans)</span><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: 25.3pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -.1pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">39.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;">Panamá</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: .1pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">‐<span style="letter-spacing: .05pt;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -.15pt;">Asociación</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: .2pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;">Panameña</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US">de<span style="letter-spacing: .2pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.15pt;">Personas</span> <span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;">Trans</span> <span style="letter-spacing: -.15pt;">(RedLACTrans)</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-indent: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt; text-indent: -14.3pt;">40.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt; text-indent: -14.3pt;">Panamá</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: 0.2pt; text-indent: -14.3pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="text-indent: -14.3pt;">–<span style="letter-spacing: .25pt;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt; text-indent: -14.3pt;">Fundación</span><span lang="EN-US" style="text-indent: -14.3pt;"> <span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;">Iguales</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: 25.3pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -.1pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">41.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;">Paraguay</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: .2pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">‐<span style="letter-spacing: .05pt;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;">Aireana</span><span lang="EN-US"> <span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;">Grupo</span><span style="letter-spacing: .2pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;">por</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>los<span style="letter-spacing: .05pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;">Derechos</span><span style="letter-spacing: .05pt;"> </span>de<span style="letter-spacing: .25pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;">las</span><span style="letter-spacing: .3pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.15pt;">Lesbianas</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: 25.3pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -.1pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">42.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">Paraguay</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: .15pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">‐<span style="letter-spacing: .25pt;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;">Asociación</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: .05pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">Panambi</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: .05pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -.15pt;">(RedLACTrans)</span><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-top: .4pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: 25.3pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -.1pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">43.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">Paraguay</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: .15pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">‐<span style="letter-spacing: .3pt;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;">Asociación</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: .3pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;">Escalando</span><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: 25.3pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -.1pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">44.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US">Perú<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">‐<span style="letter-spacing: .05pt;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;">Centro</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: .25pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US">de <span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;">Promoción</span><span style="letter-spacing: .25pt;">
</span>y<span style="letter-spacing: .2pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;">Defensa</span><span style="letter-spacing: .2pt;"> </span>de<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;">los</span><span style="letter-spacing: .3pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">Derechos</span><span style="letter-spacing: .25pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;">Sexuales</span><span style="letter-spacing: .25pt;"> </span>y<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;">Reproductivos</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.2pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;">(PROMSEX)</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: 25.3pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -.1pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">45.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;">Perú</span><span lang="EN-US"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">‐<span style="letter-spacing: -.2pt;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;">Instituto</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -.2pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;">Runa</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: .2pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -.15pt;">de</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: .25pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -.15pt;">Desarrollo</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: .25pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US">y<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;">Estudios</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.2pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;">sobre</span>
<span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;">Género</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt; text-indent: -14.3pt;">46.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt; text-indent: -14.3pt;">Perú</span><span lang="EN-US" style="text-indent: -14.3pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="text-indent: -14.3pt;">–<span style="letter-spacing: .25pt;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt; text-indent: -14.3pt;">Trans</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: 0.25pt; text-indent: -14.3pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt; text-indent: -14.3pt;">Organización</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: 0.25pt; text-indent: -14.3pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt; text-indent: -14.3pt;">Feminista</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: 0.2pt; text-indent: -14.3pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -0.05pt; text-indent: -14.3pt;">por </span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt; text-indent: -14.3pt;">los</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: 0.3pt; text-indent: -14.3pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt; text-indent: -14.3pt;">Derechos</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: 0.2pt; text-indent: -14.3pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt; text-indent: -14.3pt;">Humanos</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: 0.05pt; text-indent: -14.3pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt; text-indent: -14.3pt;">(RedLACTrans)</span></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -.1pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">47.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;">Regional</span><span lang="EN-US"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">‐<span style="letter-spacing: .3pt;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -.15pt;">Caribbean</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: .25pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;">Forum</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US">for<span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.15pt;">Liberation</span> <span style="letter-spacing: -.15pt;">and</span><span style="letter-spacing: .25pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.15pt;">Acceptance</span> <span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">of</span><span style="letter-spacing: .1pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.15pt;">Genders</span><span style="letter-spacing: .3pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">and</span> <span style="letter-spacing: -.15pt;">Sexualities</span><span style="letter-spacing: .05pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.15pt;">(CARIFLAGS)</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -.1pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">48.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;">Regional</span><span lang="EN-US"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">‐<span style="letter-spacing: .3pt;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;">Red</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: .05pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -.15pt;">Latinoamericana</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: .2pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US">y<span style="letter-spacing: .2pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;">del</span><span style="letter-spacing: .05pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;">Caribe</span><span style="letter-spacing: .3pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.15pt;">de</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> Personas</span><span style="letter-spacing: .05pt;">
</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;">Trans</span><span style="letter-spacing: .05pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.15pt;">(REDLACTRANS)</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt; text-indent: -14.3pt;">49.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt; text-indent: -14.3pt;">Red</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -0.05pt; text-indent: -14.3pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="text-indent: -14.3pt;">de<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.15pt;">Trabajadoras</span><span style="letter-spacing: .25pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.15pt;">Sexuales</span><span style="letter-spacing: .25pt;"> </span>de<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;">Latinoamérica</span><span style="letter-spacing: .2pt;"> </span>y<span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;"> </span>el<span style="letter-spacing: .25pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;">Caribe</span>
<span style="letter-spacing: -.15pt;">(RedTraSex)</span></span> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt;">50.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt;">Regional</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: 0.05pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US">‐<span style="letter-spacing: .3pt;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;">Synergía</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: 0.3pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US">– </span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt;">Iniciativas</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: 0.1pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -0.05pt;">por</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt;"> los</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: 0.3pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;">Derechos</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: 0.05pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;">Humanos</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt; text-indent: 0in;">51.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt; text-indent: 0in;">República </span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt; text-indent: 0in;">Dominicana</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: 0.25pt; text-indent: 0in;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="text-indent: 0in;">‐<span style="letter-spacing: .05pt;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt; text-indent: 0in;">Comunidad</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: 0.2pt; text-indent: 0in;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="text-indent: 0in;">de <span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;">Trans</span><span style="letter-spacing: .05pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;">Travesti</span><span style="letter-spacing: .35pt;">
</span>y<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;">Trabajadoras</span><span style="letter-spacing: .3pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.15pt;">Sexuales</span><span style="letter-spacing: .25pt;">
</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.15pt;">Dominicana</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.15pt;">COTRAVETD</span><span style="letter-spacing: 3.95pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.15pt;">(RedLACTrans)</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt; text-indent: -14.3pt;">52.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt; text-indent: -14.3pt;">República</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: 0.1pt; text-indent: -14.3pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt; text-indent: -14.3pt;">Dominicana</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: 0.2pt; text-indent: -14.3pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="text-indent: -14.3pt;">–<span style="letter-spacing: .5pt;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt; text-indent: -14.3pt;">Diversidad</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: 0.5pt; text-indent: -14.3pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt; text-indent: -14.3pt;">Dominicana</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt; text-indent: -14.3pt;">53.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -0.05pt; text-indent: -14.3pt;">St.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: 0.1pt; text-indent: -14.3pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt; text-indent: -14.3pt;">Lucia</span><span lang="EN-US" style="text-indent: -14.3pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="text-indent: -14.3pt;">‐<span style="letter-spacing: .1pt;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt; text-indent: -14.3pt;">United</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: 0.1pt; text-indent: -14.3pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="text-indent: -14.3pt;">&<span style="letter-spacing: .05pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;">Strong</span><span style="letter-spacing: .05pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;">Inc.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt;">54.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt;">Sub</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: 0.333333px;">-R</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt;">egional</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: 0.05pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US">‐<span style="letter-spacing: .1pt;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -0.05pt;">Eastern</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: 0.3pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt;">Caribbean</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: 0.25pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt;">Alliance</span><span lang="EN-US"> for<span style="letter-spacing: .2pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;">Diversity</span><span style="letter-spacing: .25pt;">
</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">and</span> <span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;">Equality</span><span style="letter-spacing: .25pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.15pt;">(ECADE)</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt; text-indent: -14.3pt;">55.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt; text-indent: -14.3pt;">Suriname</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -0.05pt; text-indent: -14.3pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="text-indent: -14.3pt;">‐ </span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt; text-indent: -14.3pt;">Women's</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: 0.2pt; text-indent: -14.3pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -0.05pt; text-indent: -14.3pt;">Way</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt;">56.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US">The <span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;">Bahamas</span><span style="letter-spacing: .25pt;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US">‐<span style="letter-spacing: .05pt;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US">The<span style="letter-spacing: .3pt;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;">D’</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: 0.1pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt;">Marco</span><span lang="EN-US"> <span style="letter-spacing: -.15pt;">Organization</span>
<span style="letter-spacing: -.15pt;">(RedLACTrans)</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt; text-indent: -14.3pt;">57.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt; text-indent: -14.3pt;">Trinidad</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: 0.05pt; text-indent: -14.3pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -0.05pt; text-indent: -14.3pt;">and</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt; text-indent: -14.3pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -0.05pt; text-indent: -14.3pt;">Tobago</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: 0.15pt; text-indent: -14.3pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="text-indent: -14.3pt;">‐<span style="letter-spacing: .35pt;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt; text-indent: -14.3pt;">CAISO</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt;">58.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -0.05pt;">Uruguay</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: 0.15pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US">‐<span style="letter-spacing: .05pt;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;">Asociación</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: 0.05pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;">Trans</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: 0.2pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt;">del</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: 0.3pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt;">Uruguay (ATRU)</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt; text-indent: -14.3pt;">59.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -0.05pt; text-indent: -14.3pt;">Uruguay</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: 0.1pt; text-indent: -14.3pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="text-indent: -14.3pt;">‐ </span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt; text-indent: -14.3pt;">Colectivo</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: 0.2pt; text-indent: -14.3pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt; text-indent: -14.3pt;">Ovejas</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -0.05pt; text-indent: -14.3pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt; text-indent: -14.3pt;">Negras</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt;">60.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -0.05pt;">Venezuela</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: 0.1pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US">‐ </span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -0.05pt;">Venezuela</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: 0.15pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt;">Diversa</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: 0.15pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt;">Asociación</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: 0.15pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt;">Civil</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt;">61.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt;">Venezuela</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -0.05pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US">‐<span style="letter-spacing: .05pt;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;">Diversidad</span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: 0.3pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US">e <span style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt;">Igualdad</span> a <span style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt;">Través</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.05pt;"> </span>de<span style="letter-spacing: 0.05pt;"> </span>la<span style="letter-spacing: -0.05pt;"> </span>Ley<span style="letter-spacing: -0.05pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;">(DIVERLEX)</span></span></span></div>
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SASOD Guyanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01452359346236525674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11104569.post-16254538632656884392020-03-30T14:42:00.000-07:002020-03-30T15:08:55.892-07:00CARIBBEAN GROUPS IN THE LGBTTTI COALITION URGE OAS SECRETARY GENERAL TO FULFILL HIS COMMITMENTS TO THE SUB-REGION IN HIS SECOND TERM<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
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<span lang="EN-US"><i>March
27, 2020</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">In the wake of
Luis Almagro’s controversial re-election as OAS Secretary General, Caribbean
civil society groups are seeking to hold him accountable to the human rights
mandate of the office. The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, Transsexual, <i>Travesti</i>
and Intersex (LGBTTTI) Coalition of Latin America and the Caribbean working
within the framework of the OAS urges him to reaffirm his commitment to the
human rights of all people without discrimination, based on sexual orientation,
gender identity, gender expression, and sex characteristics, as well as the
human rights of sex workers.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-US">Proliferation of discourses against
human rights<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">In the context
of the election, the Secretary General portrayed positions that may be
considered contrary to the right to non-discrimination of lesbian, gay, bisexual,
trans and intersex (LGBTI) people, and in general, against sexual and reproductive
rights. For several years we have denounced the growing discourse that attacks
LGBTI people in the OAS spaces, including the General Assembly. According to
various experts from the United Nations and the OAS, there is a link between
the spread of speech promote intolerance and dehumanize LGBTI people and the
increase in hate crimes against them. These messages usually also include a
narrative that ignores the legitimacy of the organs of the Inter-American Human
Rights System to monitor the States’ compliance with the obligation to
guarantee the rights to equality and non-discrimination. Many of these messages
use precepts such as “gender ideology” - an empty term void of real content,
which has been criticized by experts and international human rights
organizations because it seeks to attack any progress in favour of equality and
all human rights for all people.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-US">Human rights violations in the Caribbean
<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">Despite gains
through the courts in countries like Belize, Trinidad and Tobago, and Guyana
and legislatures in the Bahamas, Barbados and St. Lucia, serious threats
persist to the full exercise of the human rights of LGBTI people and there are high
levels of violence, discrimination and criminalization. Recently, unpunished
incidents of anti-LGBTI violence have been reported in Jamaica and St. Vincent,
while the murder of a prominent LGBTI human rights defender in Haiti and
violent attacks against gay and trans activists in Guyana have been recorded. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">Regarding
autonomous sex work, despite not being explicitly prohibited in most countries,
there are norms and laws that penalize activities related to sex work. This,
coupled with the absence of clear regulations that recognize sex work as work,
creates conditions that promote institutional violence - including sexual and
physical violence, extortion and illegal detention - and reinforce obstacles
that prevent sex workers from accessing basic health services and justice.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span lang="EN-US">The OAS
Secretary General must reaffirm his commitment to human rights<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">The OAS needs
leadership that defends the human rights to non-discrimination and a life free from
violence, and one that upholds the recognition of the rights of LGBTI people,
sex workers, sexual and reproductive rights. In his 2015 inauguration speech as Secretary General, Luis Almagro stated
that “inequality and the generation of opportunities for all citizens,
regardless of their race, gender, place of birth, social status, or sexual
orientation continues to be a concern present in all of our countries from
Canada to Patagonia.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">The LGBTTTI
Coalition notes that during the first years of the Secretary General’s mandate,
he issued statements in favor of the full observance of human rights for all
people. For example, on May 17, 2019, the International Day against Homophobia,
Biphobia and Transphobia, the Secretary General stated on Twitter: “no one can
be discriminated against or must be denied access to their rights based on their
sexual orientation or gender identity. Our societies have no room for
inequality. Everyone has the right to be who they are, love who they want and
express themselves freely.” The Secretary General has also affirmed: ““We want
every country to resolve this discrimination that LGBTIQ people suffer. We want
every country to investigate and to resolve any matter of LGBTI peoples and
communities … We want every country to provide solutions for how the basic
principles of human rights can be made operative in order to resolve these
issues.” (Washington Blade, April 24, 2019).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Given the aforementioned, our <b>Coalition
urges Luis Almagro, to commit during his second term</b> <b>as Secretary
General</b>, to:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">1. Meet
regularly with our Coalition and renew the commitment to the human rights of
all people without discrimination, including discrimination based on sexual
orientation, gender identity and gender expression, the human rights of sex
workers, sexual rights and reproductive rights.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">2. Continue
issuing statements on commemorative days, including the International Day
against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia, Women’s International Day (and in
said communiqué make reference to sexual and reproductive rights), and others,
including the Trans Remembrance Day, the International Day for the Elimination
of Violence against Women and Girls, and World AIDS Day. Further, to issue a
statement on the International Day of Sex Workers, urging the States to review
regulations and laws that criminalize activities related to sex work, and calling
on States to prevent and punish institutional violence and to eliminate the
obstacles sex workers face when attempting to access the justice system and
health services. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">3. Make a
categorical statement affirming that religious freedom cannot be used to deny,
suppress or limit the human rights of LGBTI people, sexual and reproductive
rights, and that any exercise of religious freedom cannot negate the principles
of equality and non-discrimination.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">4. Take all
effective measures to guarantee that organizations or groups are not allowed to
use OAS spaces to stigmatize IACHR commissioners, LGBTI persons, sex workers,
sexual and reproductive rights defenders, or engage in public speech that
denies the existence and full recognition of human rights for all people.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">5. Continue his
support to the OAS Secretariat of Social Inclusion, the Inter-American
Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) and the Inter-American Commission of Women.
Further, to defend these organs from undue interference by some OAS States that
seek to impose their agendas contrary to the human rights of LGBTI people, sex
workers and sexual and reproductive rights.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">The following
organizations sign as part of the LGBTTTI Coalition of organizations in Latin
America and the Caribbean that work within the framework of the OAS:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="ES-VE" style="font-size: 8.0pt; mso-ansi-language: ES-VE; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">1.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="ES-VE" style="font-size: 8.0pt; mso-ansi-language: ES-VE;">Argentina - AKAHATÁ Equipo de Trabajo en Sexualidades
y Género<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 8.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">2.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 8.0pt;">Argentina
- ATTTA (RedLACTrans)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 8.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">3.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 8.0pt;">Belize
- TIA Belize (RedLACTrans)<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 8.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">4.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 8.0pt;">Belize
- United Belize Advocacy Movement (UNIBAM)<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="ES-AR" style="font-size: 8.0pt; mso-ansi-language: ES-AR; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">5.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="ES-VE" style="font-size: 8.0pt; mso-ansi-language: ES-VE;">Bolivia - Red Nacional de Mujeres Trans en Bolivia
(REDTREBOL) (RedLACTrans)</span><span lang="ES-AR" style="font-size: 8.0pt; mso-ansi-language: ES-AR;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="PT-BR" style="font-size: 8.0pt; mso-ansi-language: PT-BR; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">6.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="PT-BR" style="font-size: 8.0pt; mso-ansi-language: PT-BR;">Bolivia - Fundación Diversencia<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="PT-BR" style="font-size: 8.0pt; mso-ansi-language: PT-BR; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">7.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="PT-BR" style="font-size: 8.0pt; mso-ansi-language: PT-BR;">Brasil - Articulação Política das Juventudes Negras<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="PT-BR" style="font-size: 8.0pt; mso-ansi-language: PT-BR; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">8.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="PT-BR" style="font-size: 8.0pt; mso-ansi-language: PT-BR;">Brasil - Grupo Ativista de Travestis, Transexuais e
Amig@s (GATTA)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="PT-BR" style="font-size: 8.0pt; mso-ansi-language: PT-BR; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">9.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="PT-BR" style="font-size: 8.0pt; mso-ansi-language: PT-BR;">Brasil - Grupo Esperança<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="PT-BR" style="font-size: 8.0pt; mso-ansi-language: PT-BR; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">10.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="PT-BR" style="font-size: 8.0pt; mso-ansi-language: PT-BR;">Brasil - Liga
Brasileira de Lesbicas (LBL)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="PT-BR" style="font-size: 8.0pt; mso-ansi-language: PT-BR; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">11.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="PT-BR" style="font-size: 8.0pt; mso-ansi-language: PT-BR;">Brasil - Rede
Nacional de Negr@s e Afros LGBTTT (Rede-afros-lgbts)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="PT-BR" style="font-size: 8.0pt; mso-ansi-language: PT-BR; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">12.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="PT-BR" style="font-size: 8.0pt; mso-ansi-language: PT-BR;">Canadá - *The
Canadian HIV/AIDS Legal Network – Canada (*Miembro Asociado)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="ES-AR" style="font-size: 8.0pt; mso-ansi-language: ES-AR; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">13.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="ES-VE" style="font-size: 8.0pt; mso-ansi-language: ES-VE;">Chile - Asociación
OTD Organizando Trans Diversidades</span><span lang="ES-AR" style="font-size: 8.0pt; mso-ansi-language: ES-AR;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="PT-BR" style="font-size: 8.0pt; mso-ansi-language: PT-BR; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">14.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="PT-BR" style="font-size: 8.0pt; mso-ansi-language: PT-BR;">Chile - Sindicato
Amanda Jofré (RedLACTrans)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="ES-AR" style="font-size: 8.0pt; mso-ansi-language: ES-AR; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">15.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="ES-VE" style="font-size: 8.0pt; mso-ansi-language: ES-VE;">Colombia -
Asociación Lideres en Acción</span><span lang="ES-AR" style="font-size: 8.0pt; mso-ansi-language: ES-AR;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="ES-AR" style="font-size: 8.0pt; mso-ansi-language: ES-AR; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">16.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="ES-VE" style="font-size: 8.0pt; mso-ansi-language: ES-VE;">Colombia – Caribe
Afirmativo</span><span lang="ES-AR" style="font-size: 8.0pt; mso-ansi-language: ES-AR;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="ES-VE" style="font-size: 8.0pt; mso-ansi-language: ES-VE; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">17.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="ES-VE" style="font-size: 8.0pt; mso-ansi-language: ES-VE;">Colombia - Colombia
Diversa<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="ES-VE" style="font-size: 8.0pt; mso-ansi-language: ES-VE; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">18.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="ES-VE" style="font-size: 8.0pt; mso-ansi-language: ES-VE;">Colombia - Fundación
Santamaría<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="ES-VE" style="font-size: 8.0pt; mso-ansi-language: ES-VE; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">19.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="ES-VE" style="font-size: 8.0pt; mso-ansi-language: ES-VE;">Colombia - Red
Comunitaria Trans (RedLACTrans)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="ES-VE" style="font-size: 8.0pt; mso-ansi-language: ES-VE; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">20.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="ES-VE" style="font-size: 8.0pt; mso-ansi-language: ES-VE;">Costa Rica - </span><span lang="ES-AR" style="font-size: 8.0pt; mso-ansi-language: ES-AR;">Mulabi - Espacio
Latinoamericano de Sexualidades y Derechos</span><span lang="ES-VE" style="font-size: 8.0pt; mso-ansi-language: ES-VE;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 8.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">21.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 8.0pt;">Costa
Rica - TRANSVIDA (RedLACTrans)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="ES-VE" style="font-size: 8.0pt; mso-ansi-language: ES-VE; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">22.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="ES-VE" style="font-size: 8.0pt; mso-ansi-language: ES-VE;">Costa Rica -
ASOCIACIÓN CIUDADANA ACCEDER<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 8.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">23.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 8.0pt;">Dominica
- Dominica Chapter of the Caribbean HIV and AIDS partnership (ChapDominica) <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="ES-AR" style="font-size: 8.0pt; mso-ansi-language: ES-AR; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">24.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="ES-VE" style="font-size: 8.0pt; mso-ansi-language: ES-VE;">Ecuador - Asociación
Alfil (RedLACTrans)</span><span lang="ES-AR" style="font-size: 8.0pt; mso-ansi-language: ES-AR;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="ES-VE" style="font-size: 8.0pt; mso-ansi-language: ES-VE; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">25.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="ES-VE" style="font-size: 8.0pt; mso-ansi-language: ES-VE;">Ecuador - Taller de
Comunicación Mujer <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="ES-VE" style="font-size: 8.0pt; mso-ansi-language: ES-VE; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">26.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="ES-VE" style="font-size: 8.0pt; mso-ansi-language: ES-VE;">El Salvador -
Asociación Aspidh Arcoiris (RedLACTrans)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 8.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">27.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 8.0pt;">Grenada
- Grenada Chapter of the Caribbean HIV and AIDS Partnership (GrenCHAP) <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="ES-AR" style="font-size: 8.0pt; mso-ansi-language: ES-AR; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">28.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="ES-VE" style="font-size: 8.0pt; mso-ansi-language: ES-VE;">Guatemala -
Organización Trans Reinas de la Noche (OTRANS) (RedLACTrans)</span><span lang="ES-AR" style="font-size: 8.0pt; mso-ansi-language: ES-AR;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 8.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">29.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 8.0pt;">Guyana
- Society Against Sexual Orientation Discrimination (SASOD)<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="ES-AR" style="font-size: 8.0pt; mso-ansi-language: ES-AR; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">30.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="ES-AR" style="font-size: 8.0pt; mso-ansi-language: ES-AR;">Honduras –
Asociación</span><span lang="ES-VE" style="font-size: 8.0pt; mso-ansi-language: ES-VE;"> para una Vida Mejor (APUVIMEH)</span><span lang="ES-AR" style="font-size: 8.0pt; mso-ansi-language: ES-AR;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="ES-AR" style="font-size: 8.0pt; mso-ansi-language: ES-AR; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">31.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="ES-VE" style="font-size: 8.0pt; mso-ansi-language: ES-VE;">Honduras - Colectivo
Unidad Color Rosa (RedLACTrans)</span><span lang="ES-AR" style="font-size: 8.0pt; mso-ansi-language: ES-AR;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 8.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">32.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 8.0pt;">Jamaica
– Equality for All Foundation, J-FLAG <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="ES-AR" style="font-size: 8.0pt; mso-ansi-language: ES-AR; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">33.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="ES-VE" style="font-size: 8.0pt; mso-ansi-language: ES-VE;">México - Letra S
SIDA, Cultura y Vida Cotidiana</span><span lang="ES-AR" style="font-size: 8.0pt; mso-ansi-language: ES-AR;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="ES-VE" style="font-size: 8.0pt; mso-ansi-language: ES-VE; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">34.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="ES-VE" style="font-size: 8.0pt; mso-ansi-language: ES-VE;">México - Red
Mexicana de Mujeres Trans (RedLACTrans)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="ES-VE" style="font-size: 8.0pt; mso-ansi-language: ES-VE; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">35.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="ES-VE" style="font-size: 8.0pt; mso-ansi-language: ES-VE;">México - Fundación
Arcoíris por el Respeto a la Diversidad Sexual A.C. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="ES-VE" style="font-size: 8.0pt; mso-ansi-language: ES-VE; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">36.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="ES-VE" style="font-size: 8.0pt; mso-ansi-language: ES-VE;">México - LAS REINAS
CHULAS, CABARET Y DERECHOS HUMANOS A.C<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="PT-BR" style="font-size: 8.0pt; mso-ansi-language: PT-BR; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">37.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="PT-BR" style="font-size: 8.0pt; mso-ansi-language: PT-BR;">Nicaragua - Red
Nicaragüense de Activistas Trans (REDTRANS) <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="PT-BR" style="font-size: 8.0pt; mso-ansi-language: PT-BR; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">38.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="PT-BR" style="font-size: 8.0pt; mso-ansi-language: PT-BR;">Nicaragua - ODETRANS
(RedLACTrans)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="ES-AR" style="font-size: 8.0pt; mso-ansi-language: ES-AR; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">39.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="ES-VE" style="font-size: 8.0pt; mso-ansi-language: ES-VE;">Panamá - Asociación
Panameña de Personas Trans (RedLACTrans)</span><span lang="ES-AR" style="font-size: 8.0pt; mso-ansi-language: ES-AR;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="ES-AR" style="font-size: 8.0pt; mso-ansi-language: ES-AR; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">40.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="ES-AR" style="font-size: 8.0pt; mso-ansi-language: ES-AR;">Panam</span><span lang="ES" style="font-size: 8.0pt; mso-ansi-language: ES;">á – Fundación Iguales</span><span lang="ES-AR" style="font-size: 8.0pt; mso-ansi-language: ES-AR;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="ES-VE" style="font-size: 8.0pt; mso-ansi-language: ES-VE; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">41.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="ES-VE" style="font-size: 8.0pt; mso-ansi-language: ES-VE;">Paraguay - Aireana
Grupo por los Derechos de las Lesbianas<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="ES-VE" style="font-size: 8.0pt; mso-ansi-language: ES-VE; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">42.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="ES-VE" style="font-size: 8.0pt; mso-ansi-language: ES-VE;">Paraguay - Asociación
Panambi (RedLACTrans)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="ES-VE" style="font-size: 8.0pt; mso-ansi-language: ES-VE; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">43.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="ES-VE" style="font-size: 8.0pt; mso-ansi-language: ES-VE;">Paraguay -
Asociación Escalando<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="ES-VE" style="font-size: 8.0pt; mso-ansi-language: ES-VE; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">44.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="ES-VE" style="font-size: 8.0pt; mso-ansi-language: ES-VE;">Perú - Centro de
Promoción y Defensa de los Derechos Sexuales y Reproductivos (PROMSEX)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="ES-VE" style="font-size: 8.0pt; mso-ansi-language: ES-VE; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">45.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="ES-VE" style="font-size: 8.0pt; mso-ansi-language: ES-VE;">Perú - Instituto
Runa de Desarrollo y Estudios sobre Género<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="ES" style="font-size: 8.0pt; mso-ansi-language: ES; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">46.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="ES" style="font-size: 8.0pt; mso-ansi-language: ES;">Perú – Trans Organización Feminista por los Derechos Humanos (RedLACTrans)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 8.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">47.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 8.0pt;">Regional
- Caribbean Forum for Liberation and Acceptance of Genders and Sexualities
(CARIFLAGS)<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span lang="ES-AR" style="font-size: 8.0pt; mso-ansi-language: ES-AR; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">48.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b><span lang="ES-VE" style="font-size: 8.0pt; mso-ansi-language: ES-VE;">Regional - Red
Latinoamericana y del Caribe de Personas Trans (REDLACTRANS)</span></b><b><span lang="ES-AR" style="font-size: 8.0pt; mso-ansi-language: ES-AR;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="ES-VE" style="font-size: 8.0pt; mso-ansi-language: ES-VE; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">49.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="ES-VE" style="font-size: 8.0pt; mso-ansi-language: ES-VE;">Red de Trabajadoras
Sexuales de Latinoamérica y el Caribe (RedTraSex)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span lang="ES-VE" style="font-size: 8.0pt; mso-ansi-language: ES-VE; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">50.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b><span lang="ES-VE" style="font-size: 8.0pt; mso-ansi-language: ES-VE;">Regional - Synergía
– Initiatives for Human Rights <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span lang="ES-VE" style="font-size: 8.0pt; mso-ansi-language: ES-VE; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">51.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b><span lang="ES-VE" style="font-size: 8.0pt; mso-ansi-language: ES-VE;">República Dominicana
- </span></b><b><span lang="ES-AR" style="font-size: 8.0pt; mso-ansi-language: ES-AR;">Comunidad
de Trans Travesti y Trabajadoras Sexuales Dominicana COTRAVETD</span></b><b><span lang="ES-VE" style="font-size: 8.0pt; mso-ansi-language: ES-VE;"> (RedLACTrans)<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span lang="ES" style="font-size: 8.0pt; mso-ansi-language: ES; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">52.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b><span lang="ES" style="font-size: 8.0pt; mso-ansi-language: ES;">República Dominicana – Diversidad Dominicana<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 8.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">53.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 8.0pt;">St.
Lucia - United & Strong Inc.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 8.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">54.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 8.0pt;">Sub-Regional
- Eastern Caribbean Alliance for Diversity and Equality </span></b><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 8.0pt;">(ECADE)<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 8.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">55.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 8.0pt;">Suriname
- Women's Way<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 8.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">56.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 8.0pt;">The
Bahamas - The D’ Marco Organization (RedLACTrans)<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 8.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">57.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 8.0pt;">Trinidad
and Tobago – CAISO: Sex & Gender Justice <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="ES-AR" style="font-size: 8.0pt; mso-ansi-language: ES-AR; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">58.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="ES-VE" style="font-size: 8.0pt; mso-ansi-language: ES-VE;">Uruguay - Asociación
Trans del Uruguay (ATRU)</span><span lang="ES-AR" style="font-size: 8.0pt; mso-ansi-language: ES-AR;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Ovejas Negras<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Venezuela Diversa Asociación Civil <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span lang="ES-VE" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 8.0pt;"> 61. </span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="ES-VE" style="font-size: 8pt;"> </span><span lang="ES-VE" style="font-size: 8pt;">Venezuela - Diversidad e Igualdad a Través de la
Ley (DIVERLEX)</span></span>SASOD Guyanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01452359346236525674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11104569.post-18485364871288162992020-02-05T08:12:00.000-08:002020-02-05T08:12:02.249-08:00 The LGBTQ+ Manifesto for the 2020 General and Regional Elections <br />Constitutional and Law Reform <br /><br />1. Include sexual orientation and gender identity as protected categories in the non-discrimination provision of the Guyana Constitution (Article 149) by 2025. <br /><br />2. Repeal sections 351 to 353 of the Criminal Law (Offences) Act Chapter 8:01, which criminalize same-sex intimacy between consenting, adult men in private, by the end of 2020. <br /><br />3. Include sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression as prohibited grounds of discrimination in the Prevention of Discrimination Act (Section 4) by the end of 2020. <br /><br />Guyana is party to international treaties that require the protection of basic human rights for everyone, including lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and other queer (LGBTQ+) people. Guyana’s next government must engage in law reform efforts to bring Guyana’s laws and policies into compliance with its international obligations, and to ensure that the rights of every citizen are fully realized. <br />Sexual and Gender-Based Violence <br /><br />4. Fully implement and apply existing laws regarding sexual and gender-based violence, ensuring there are adequate resources to provide services to all victims, including LGBTQ+ persons. <br /><br />5. Ensure all police, probation officers, social workers, and child protection officers have been trained on gender, sexual diversity and human rights, so they are fully equipped to respond to instances of sexual and gender-based violence, as well as hate-motivated crimes. <br /><br />Sexual and gender-based violence is a silent epidemic affecting LGBTQ+ Guyanese. Although the Domestic Violence Act is gender-neutral, persons in LGBTQ+ relationships are unlikely to seek out health, protective and judicial services provided by the state because of ignorance and insensitivities towards LGBTQ+ issues, and high levels of discrimination. There are also several reported cases of LGBTQ+ persons being attacked, verbally and physically, because of their gender identity, gender expression and sexual orientation. Transgender people are particularly targeted and most vulnerable because of their visibility. <br />Education <br /><br />6. Tackle bullying of LGBTQ+ youth. Teachers should be trained from the level of the Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE) on the issues students face and how to effectively address them. <br /><br />7. Ensure that LGBTQ+ persons feel safe, supported and included in the education system across all settings in Guyana. Education, particularly educational institutions, are consistently rated by LBGTQ+ youth, as the place they experience the most discrimination in Guyana. <br /><br />8. Introduce Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) in all schools across Guyana to provide young people with the tools they need to make more informed decisions to either delay their sexual debut or prevent teenage pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections, if they choose to be sexually active. CSE would also inform students about diverse sexualities and genders, and reduce targeted bullying of LGBTQ+ students in schools and other educational settings. <br /><br />9. The Ministry of Education must provide remedial and second-chance education programmes for disadvantaged youth, including LGBTQ+ persons, who have not completed secondary education. <br />Public Health <br /><br />10. The Ministry of Public Health must make pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) available in the public healthcare system in all 10 regions of Guyana for persons who are at “substantial risk” of contracting HIV, based on the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines, by January 2021. <br /><br />11. Allow persons who have been exposed to HIV to access post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP), regardless of the circumstances of that exposure, by the end of 2020. <br /><br />12. Support organizations led by key populations to provide targeted and specialized health services for their communities who fear and experience stigma and discrimination in public healthcare. <br /><br />13. Provide quality, accessible and stigma-free mental health services for vulnerable groups, especially LGBTQ+ people who face greater burdens due to homophobia(s), to prevent suicide and achieve the highest attainable standard of health for all persons in Guyana. <br />Social Protection <br /><br />14. The Government of Guyana must provide comprehensive and accessible entrepreneurial training programmes for vulnerable groups, including LGBTQ+ people, and make capital accessible to start up small businesses through grants and low-interest lending schemes. <br /><br />15. The Government of Guyana must provide access to housing for LGBTQ+ people, especially children, who have been temporarily displaced or rendered homeless due to violence.SASOD Guyanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01452359346236525674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11104569.post-12031068469450942112019-12-02T12:27:00.002-08:002019-12-02T12:27:23.841-08:00HIV Prevention Pill Launched Through Private Sector – Civil Society Partnership <br />
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<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN;">As World AIDS Day 2019 is observed under the theme “Communities Make the
Difference,” a new private clinic and a 16-year old local NGO have teamed up to
make HIV prevention medication more available. Today, Midway Speciality Care
Centre Guyana (MSCCG) and Guyana’s Society Against Sexual Orientation
Discrimination (SASOD Guyana) signed a Memorandum of Understanding at a media
launch of the clinical services to formalize their partnership in preventing
new HIV infections in Guyana.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Midway Speciality Care Centre Guyana (MSCCG) is a not-for-profit clinic
that is established to provide non-communicable and infectious disease care. Dr
Moti Ramgopal MD, FACP, FIDSA, founded Midway Speciality Care Centre, which
treats 6,000 patients in eight clinics in the United States of America. These
clinics have provided a wide range of speciality and primary care services for
patients. SASOD Guyana is a well-known human rights organization that has been
at the forefront of the HIV response in Guyana. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN;">SASOD Guyana has been a long-time advocate for the introduction of
Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis Services (PrEP) for all persons who are at risk.
Midway Speciality Care Centres have acquired tremendous expertise in providing
Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) in the United States. After a series of intense
deliberations between MSCCG and SASOD Guyana, have agreed to introduce
PrEP and non-occupational post-exposure prophylaxis (nPEP) services at a
weekday, full-service clinic located at 100 Carmichael Street (opposite
Woodlands Hospital) and a satellite community clinic every Saturday at the
SASOD Guyana office at 203 Duncan Street in Lamaha Gardens. The two agencies
are convinced that with the introduction of these services that it would
prevent those that are “substantial risk” from acquiring the HIV infection. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN;">MSCCG and SASOD Guyana are providing PrEP and nPEP as part of combination
prevention which includes condoms and lubes, STI screening and management, HIV
testing and counselling, risk reduction management and harm reduction. The
partners are also providing comprehensive support, consisting of adherence
counselling, mental and emotional support, and sexual and reproductive health
services. These services will be available to the from next week Monday to
Friday from 9 am to 5 pm, starting on December 9. SASOD Guyana’s
Saturday clinic will commence on January 4, 2020. To make an appointment,
interested persons can contact MSCCG by phone on 502-1951 or by email at <a href="mailto:MSCCG@gmail.com">MSCCG@gmail.com</a>. SASOD Guyana can also be
contacted by phone on 225-7283, 623-5155 or by email at <a href="mailto:sasod@sasod.org.gy">sasod@sasod.org.gy</a>. MSCCG’s Medical
Doctor, Dr. Ruth Ramos, and SASOD Guyana’s Managing Director signed the
Memorandum of Understanding in the presence of the media with MSCCG’s Nurse
Lois Barrow witnessing the inking of the private sector – civil society
agreement. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />SASOD Guyanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04723698378273040077noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11104569.post-91374143595276243362019-10-22T07:16:00.000-07:002019-10-22T07:16:26.925-07:00Laws against bullying needed to protect LGBTQ+ youth - CPA Head, Ann Greene<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">At a
reception on Thursday, October 17, 2019, at the British High Commissioner’s
residence, Director of Children’s Services and Head of the Childcare and
Protection Agency (CPA), Ms Ann Greene delivered feature remarks, highlighted
that for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and other (LGBTQ+) youth,
there must be laws against bullying to curb the quiet epidemic. The third,
annual event was hosted by Guyana’s Society Against Sexual Orientation
Discrimination (SASOD Guyana) and the British High Commission in Guyana to mark
Spirit Day – an annual day to raise awareness of anti-LGBTQ+ bullying in
schools observed on the third Thursday of October. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">In
attendance were the co-hosts, British High Commissioner Greg Quinn and Mrs
Wendy Quinn, other representatives of the diplomatic corps, civil society
representatives, youth advocates, and private sector officials. The reception
featured a short programme which also included remarks from the British High
Commissioner, along with musical renditions and the recitation of the Spirit
Day Pledge.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYkFbEIk2UX79lb9xzC9GH-lxgdDvSMM5f1Ca4ni8HtZ6Zt00UE0oDV3MpdP97nIrxHNbypFu42UsZmHqZoq_YoPDtFKy4XlrAVbDZ7WC9a_rnU-AXXWL-ek0cvS8J6TQ7VgiuNg/s1600/SASODGuyana_SpiritDay2019_Photo1.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="943" data-original-width="1414" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYkFbEIk2UX79lb9xzC9GH-lxgdDvSMM5f1Ca4ni8HtZ6Zt00UE0oDV3MpdP97nIrxHNbypFu42UsZmHqZoq_YoPDtFKy4XlrAVbDZ7WC9a_rnU-AXXWL-ek0cvS8J6TQ7VgiuNg/s320/SASODGuyana_SpiritDay2019_Photo1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">CPA Director, Ms Ann Greene delivering the feature remarks</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">In her
feature remarks, Greene stated that LGBTQ+ people in Guyana are oppressed and
marginalized because of their sexual orientation and gender identity, and
suffer discrimination in accessing their civil rights. She lamented that LGBTQ+
persons need what every other person needs, regardless of their human
characteristics. “It is love and acceptance. Every human being born into this
world has a right to be here, being placed here by the Superior being of the
Universe with their own purpose,” Greene said.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">Greene
emphasized that Spirit Day – is a day to stand up and give support to persons
who suffer infringement of their human rights. The CPA head pledged to
use her role “to contribute towards bringing about the needed social change –
the right to social inclusion for all persons. All groups of people must be
respected for who they are, with prejudice,” she empathized. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">In
addition to laws against bullying, the Child-Services Director called for
specific interventions to address the unique challenges facing LGBTQ+ youth in
Guyana. Greene said these include targeted social programmes; safe schools,
care centres, neighbourhoods, and housing; safe access to recreational
facilities and activities; access to adequate health services and supportive
workplace policies. She closed her remarks with an inspiring quote that “the beauty of standing up for your rights is so that others can see you standing
and stand up as well."</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJsAZZErtU4dpu6yLDKenz5-jbyszbXMy0lz5AzcCY-I7_cXXmi9xIEqI2cecl9Y4zQYaRN6tyLrgxSP3oN1SyZm-N4OiQEUOEPJXDqe2asHJ2ZJb0Rw_lBUC302Ku26PnL9RIHg/s1600/SASODGuyana_SpiritDay2019_Photo2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="883" data-original-width="1324" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJsAZZErtU4dpu6yLDKenz5-jbyszbXMy0lz5AzcCY-I7_cXXmi9xIEqI2cecl9Y4zQYaRN6tyLrgxSP3oN1SyZm-N4OiQEUOEPJXDqe2asHJ2ZJb0Rw_lBUC302Ku26PnL9RIHg/s320/SASODGuyana_SpiritDay2019_Photo2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">H.E Greg Quinn, British High Commissioner delivering short remarks at the Spirit Reception</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">H.E Greg
Quinn in his brief remarks reiterated that “LGBTQ+ persons are not asking for
special rights; they are seeking to be afforded the same rights as any other
Guyanese citizen.” The High Commissioner further called for persons to promote
diversity and tolerance for LGBTQ+ persons.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">In
closing SASOD Guyana’s Homophobia(s) Education Coordinator, Valini Leitch
commented that taking a stand against LGBTQ+ bullying is not a one-day affair,
but requires collective daily action. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzeOK7ZOGfY1P9hglpFy3Qefnrf__bBP_Ll5GycshctR_Cq9hNGmC2h92Y35MQRDJ1YQWhqOo4B_J2VdQDvnVPZbrxRAdrg-ApqytwYt-2LszOgvCxhE_IPzgPEw6xbts-N4kDTw/s1600/SASODGuyana_SpiritDay2019_Photo3.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="883" data-original-width="1324" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzeOK7ZOGfY1P9hglpFy3Qefnrf__bBP_Ll5GycshctR_Cq9hNGmC2h92Y35MQRDJ1YQWhqOo4B_J2VdQDvnVPZbrxRAdrg-ApqytwYt-2LszOgvCxhE_IPzgPEw6xbts-N4kDTw/s320/SASODGuyana_SpiritDay2019_Photo3.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;"> SASOD Guyana's Homophobia(s) Education Coordinator, Valini Leitch giving the Vote of Thanks</span></td></tr>
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SASOD Guyanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01452359346236525674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11104569.post-53708860240979619832019-07-29T13:58:00.000-07:002019-10-22T06:09:48.673-07:00The LGBTTTI Coalition Celebrates the Culmination of Another Successful OAS General Assembly in spite of the Attempt of the Host Government to Close Spaces to the Civil Society<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Medellin,
Colombia<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">July
2019</span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #4472c4; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">SUMMARY<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">The Coalition of Lesbians, Gays, Bisexuals, Trans, Transsexuals, <i>Travestis</i>
and Intersex (LGBTTTI) of Latin America and the Caribbean that work within the
framework of the Organization of American States (OAS) was present at the 49th
regular session of the General Assembly, which took place in Medellín,
Colombia, on June 27-28, 2019. As in previous years, we also participated in
the Dialogue with Heads of Delegation and the OAS Secretary General, among
other actors, through two coalitions, one coalition of LGBTI people and another
- established for the first time this year - of sex workers.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">As a Coalition, we welcome the important advances in the field of human
rights, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression and sex
characteristics in this General Assembly, including the adoption of the 11<sup>th</sup>
resolution on the human rights of LGBTI people - with a more inclusive language
than in previous years-, the re-election of Commissioners Arosemena and
Macaulay and the election of Julissa Mantilla, despite the attempts of
anti-rights groups to delegitimize their candidacies. Likewise, we reject the
attempt to close spaces to civil society, led by the Colombian government in
the context of the OAS General Assembly and call on the OAS to avoid these
situations in the future.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #4472c4; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">PROGRESS AND CHALLENGES IN THE REGION<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">We emphasize that, despite considerable progress in terms of policies,
laws and judicial recognition in most countries of the Americas, there are many
challenges that restrict the full enjoyment and exercise of our rights. We
continue to see high levels of violence and discrimination against LGBTI
people, or those perceived as such, in the Americas. In this regard, we express
our concern about crimes based on prejudice because of sexual orientation, gender
identity and expression, without the State maintaining official records on such
crimes, which makes prevention and investigation difficult. In particular, the
Coalition categorically condemns the wave of murders and violence directed at
LGBT people in recent weeks in Honduras, and encourages the authorities to take
all effective measures to respect and guarantee the life and personal security
of LGBT people and their human rights defenders.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Likewise, there are still state laws, policies and practices that
directly criminalize us, violating our human rights. However, in 2016 and 2018
we noticed considerable progress in terms of discrimination based on the law in
the English-speaking Caribbean. In addition to the recent decriminalization of
consensual sexual relations between adults of the same sex in Belize and
Trinidad and Tobago, the Caribbean Court of Justice issued a ruling at the end
of 2018 in <i>McEwan and others</i>, ruling that the criminal provision
prohibiting the use of garments associated with another gender in Guyana was
unconstitutional. Likewise, there have been important advances in Latin
American countries, among which we highlight the following: the adoption of the
Integral Gender Identity Law (<i>Ley Integral Trans</i>)<i> </i>in Uruguay; the
Gender Identity Law in Chile; the implementation of the trans labor quota in several
Argentinean cities; the approval of same-sex marriage. as well as the judicial
recognition of co-maternity in the Satya case and the recognition of the right
to identity of a trans girl in Ecuador; and the adoption of the LGBT National Public
Policy and the inclusion of a gender perspective in the Peace Agreement in Colombia,
among others.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Regarding autonomous sex work, although it is not explicitly prohibited
in most countries in the Americas, there are regulations and laws that criminalize
the different acts related to sex work. This, coupled with the absence of clear
regulations that recognize sex work as work, creates the conditions that foster
institutional violence -including sexual and physical violence, extortion and
illegal detentions- and reinforce obstacles that prevent sex workers access to
basic health and justice services. We note with concern that, although the
IACHR held a first hearing on human rights violations of female sex workers in
March 2017, the Commission has not granted further hearings on this subject,
despite numerous requests in this regard.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">We also see with great concern the emergence of bills or laws that seek
to criminalize transmission, non-disclosure and exposure to HIV, or the misuse
of criminal law to criminalize people living with HIV. We commend the
Constitutional Court of Colombia for its June 5, 2019 judgement which declared
unconstitutional the criminal provision that imposed imprisonment to a person
living with HIV or Hepatitis B who engaged in activities that could infect
another person.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #4472c4; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">THE DIALOGUE WITH HEADS OF STATE, THE
SECRETARY GENERAL, THE DEPUTY SECRETARY GENERAL, AND CIVIL SOCIETY
REPRESENTATIVES<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">During the Dialogue we saw a growing number of allies who incorporated in
their declarations a message of equality for all people and of acceptance towards
sexual and gender diversity, including a recently established Coalition of Sex
Workers. This Coalition is made up of organizations associated with the Network
of Sex Workers of Latin America and the Caribbean (<i>Red de Trabajadoras
Sexuales de América Latina y el Caribe - RedTraSex</i>), which are members of
our LGBTTTI Coalition since 2018.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">We continue to see that conservative and anti-rights groups promote
messages that violate human dignity and attempt to undermine the human rights
of LGBTI people in the Americas. Many of these messages include a narrative
that ignores the legitimacy of the organs of the Inter-American Human Rights
System to monitor the compliance of States with the most basic international
human rights obligations, which are not up for debate, such as the obligation
to guarantee rights. equality and non-discrimination.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">This year, in the context of the Dialogue we noticed how some of the anti-rights
coalitions misrepresented concepts such as corruption to openly attack members
of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR), using precepts such
as “gender ideology.” In this regard, we emphasize that experts and
international human rights organizations have criticized the use of this term,
void of real content, which only seeks to attack any progress in favor of
equality and non-discrimination, particularly in relation to gender, sexual
orientation, gender identity and expression and sex characteristics.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Finally, the Coalition emphasizes that space of civil society is
increasingly being restricted. With the high number of coalitions this year
(33), each coalition had only three minutes to make its statement. In this
regard, we urge the OAS to extend the time allotted for the Dialogue, so that
each Coalition has a minimum of five minutes to make its statement, regardless
of the number of coalitions.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #4472c4; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">THE OAS GENERAL ASSEMBLY AND THE ATTEMPT
TO CLOSE SPACES TO ALL CIVIL SOCIETY ORGANIZATIONS<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">The OAS General Assembly was held at the Medellín Convention Center.
Although the Dialogue with Heads of State and the Secretary General was held in
one of its largest rooms, the day before the General Assembly; the actual General
Assembly took place in a smaller section of the Convention Center where there
was reduced capacity. This led to limiting the number of participants that
could enter the room, affecting all civil society organizations, both
anti-rights groups and groups that defend the human rights of all people,
without discrimination. Thus, only one representative from each of the civil
society Coalitions was allowed access to the room where the General Commission
was held and no substitutions were accepted.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Further, the first day of the General Assembly, the entry of civil
society members to the Plenary was<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">severely restricted, although it was evident that there was enough space
in the room to place more chairs and allow access to all attendees. Due to
this, at the end of the first day, some civil society organizations directly
complained to the Colombian Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Secretary General
and Deputy Secretary General, but the situation worsened when the General
Secretariat sent a statement that night indicating that only three
representatives of each Coalition could have access to the premises of the
General Assembly, which meant that only 99 people would be allowed access.
There was also a tacit agreement that the first 300 people who arrived at the
Convention Center would enter. This meant that on the second day, civil society
representatives waited, standing in line, outside the Convention Center from 6
am to 10:30 am, when the doors finally opened, after the attendees started
complaining. Also, on the second day, the General Commission was held without
the presence of civil society organizations. Regarding the Plenary room, it was
not only civil organizations complained that more chairs were added, and we
finally gained access to the room.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">We reiterate our deep rejection of the attempt to close spaces to civil
society, led by the Colombian government in the context of the OAS General
Assembly and call on the OAS to ensure that similar situations are not
repeated.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">The Coalition notes the re-election of the Commissioners to the
Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR): Esmeralda Arosemena de
Troitiño (Panama) and Margarette May Macaulay (Jamaica) and the election of
Julissa Mantilla (Peru) and Edgar Stuardo Ralón (Guatemala). In relation to the
reelection of Commissioners Arosemena and Macaulay, the Coalition wishes to
highlight their great commitment to respect and guarantee the human rights of
all people, without discrimination based on gender, sexual orientation, gender
identity and expression, and sex characteristics.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">In this regard, we encourage the Inter-American Commission to continue
protecting the rights of all persons, without discrimination based on sexual
orientation, gender identity, gender expression and sex characteristics, thus
supporting the proper interpretation of the principles of equality and non-discrimination
enshrined in inter-American human rights instruments.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #4472c4; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">THE RESOLUTIONS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY
AND THE HUMAN RIGHTS OF LGBTI PEOPLE<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">This year the paragraphs entitled "human rights and prevention of
discrimination and violence against LGBTI people" of the Omnibus
Resolution "Promotion and Protection of Human Rights", was presented
by thirteen OAS countries: Argentina, Belize, Brazil, Bolivia, Canada, Chile,
Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, the United States, Mexico and
Uruguay.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">The resolution adds for the first time the category “sex characteristics,”
together with the categories “sexual orientation, gender identity and
expression.” Thus, this year, the OAS General Assembly passed a strengthened
resolution that has the same content as the previous resolutions but includes
greater protection for intersex people.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">This resolution is the result of the hard work that the LGBTTTI Coalition
has carried since 2007 at the OAS. Like previous occasions, the presence and
continuous participation of our Coalition in different actions and dialogues
with OAS Member States during the General Assembly counteracted the intolerant
actions and hate speech of anti-rights organizations that tried to stop its
approval. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">This resolution was successful again this year, despite the initial opposition
of certain countries such as Paraguay, Saint Lucia and Jamaica; which stand out
for their lack of protection of the human rights of LGBTI people domestically.
A small minority of OAS Member States added footnotes to the resolution. This
year the resolution has the lowest number of footnotes that have ever been
included so far, since this practice began with the 2013 resolution. Only seven
countries placed footnotes or announced that they would insert them at a later
stage (Barbados, Guatemala, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, Paraguay, Saint
Vincent and the Grenadines, and Saint Lucia), compared to twelve countries in 2013.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Likewise, we congratulate the OAS General Assembly for including a
diversity perspective regarding sexual orientation and gender identity in the
resolution adopting the Hemispheric Plan of Action to guide the Development of
Public Policies for the Prevention and Reduction of Intentional Homicide.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #4472c4; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">THE ANNUAL MEETING OF THE COALITION<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">More than 70 activists - including human rights defenders of LGBTI people
and sex workers from Latin America and the Caribbean, representatives of
Coalition and non-Coalition members, met in Medellín to attend our annual
meeting and the OAS General Assembly. During the three days of our annual
meeting, which, like every year, is open to any LGBT or human rights
organization that wants to participate, we discussed important issues related
to regional advocacy. Likewise, the Coalition decided to accept the request to
join the Coalition by the following organizations: <i>Caribe Afirmativo</i>
(Colombia), <i>Asociación Ciudadana ACCEDER</i> (Costa Rica), </span><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Las Reinas Chulas,
Cabaret y Derechos Humanos A.C.</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;"> (Mexico) and
<i>Diversidad Dominicana</i> (Dominican Republic).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #4472c4; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">We would like to thank Akahatá - Equipo de trabajo en Sexualidades y
Géneros, the Arcus Foundation, COC - Netherlands, IPAS, Red Latinoamericana y
del Caribe de Personas Trans (RedLacTrans), Red Latinoamericana y del Caribe de
Trabajadoras Sexuales (RedTraSex) and Synergía - Initiatives for Human Rights,
as well as the numerous financial efforts made by the different organizations
within our Coalition, to guarantee our participation in this OAS General
Assembly and our annual meeting.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">The LGBTTTI Coalition highlights the commitment of Catherine Pognat and
the entire OAS Department of Social Inclusion to achieve a successful General
Assembly where there was significant progress in terms of dialogue, including a
space entitled “improbable dialogues”, which sought to encourage the exchange
of ideas between groups with radically opposite positions regarding the
recognition of human rights.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">We ask all OAS Member States to continue guaranteeing the protection and
promotion of the rights of LGBTI people, and to repeal laws or modify state
practices that criminalize or discriminate against us. We urge all OAS Member
States to take measures to promote the legislative, administrative and judicial
reforms necessary to adapt their legal systems, interpretations and practices
to the standards established in Advisory Opinion No. 24/17, issued by the
Inter-American Court in November 2017 and to respect its binding nature.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">We encourage OAS Member States to follow the leadership shown by Uruguay,
which in May 2018 became the first country to ratify the Inter-American
Convention on all forms of Discrimination and Intolerance.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">****<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">The following people
sign as part of the LGBTTTI Coalition of organizations from Latin America and
the Caribbean that work within the framework of the OAS:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<a href="https://draft.blogger.com/null" name="_Hlk517106974"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="FR" style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="FR" style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">ACTION COMMUNAUTAIRE POUR L’INTEGRATION DES FEMMES
VULNERABLES EN HAITI (ACIFVH) – Yaisah Val – Haiti,<o:p></o:p></span></a></div>
<span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk517106974;"></span>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="ES-VE" style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="ES-VE" style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">AIREANA –
GRUPO POR LOS DERECHOS DE LAS LESBIANAS – Mirta Moragas & Judith Grenno –
Paraguay,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="ES-VE" style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="ES-VE" style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">AKAHATÁ,
EQUIPO DE TRABAJO EN SEXUALIDADES Y GÉNEROS – María Luisa Peralta – Argentina,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="ES-VE" style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="ES-VE" style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">ASOCIACIÓN
ALFIL – Rashell Erazo – Ecuador,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="ES-VE" style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">5.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="ES-VE" style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">ASOCIACIÓN
ASPIDH ARCOIRIS – Ambar Alfaro – El Salvador,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="ES-VE" style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">6.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="ES-VE" style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">ASOCIACIÓN
CIUDADANA ACCEDER – Larissa Arroyo Navarrete – Costa Rica,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="ES-VE" style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">7.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="ES-VE" style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">ASOCIACIÓN DE
TRAVESTIS, TRANSEXUALES, TRANSGÉNEROS DE ARGENTINA (ATTTA) – Iván Puhlman –
Argentina,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="ES-VE" style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">8.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="ES-VE" style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">ASOCIACIÓN
LÍDERES EN ACCIÓN – German Rincón Perfetti – Colombia,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="ES-VE" style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">9.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="ES-VE" style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">ASOCIACIÓN
ORGANIZANDO TRANS DIVERSIDADES (OTD-Chile) – Franco Fuica – Chile,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="ES-VE" style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">10.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="ES-VE" style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">ASOCIACIÓN
PANAMBÍ – Vicky Acosta & Marie García – Paraguay,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="ES-VE" style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">11.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="ES-VE" style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">ASOCIACIÓN
PAÑAMENA DE PERSONAS TRANS – Venus Tejada – Panama,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="ES-VE" style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">12.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="ES-VE" style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">ASOCIACIÓN
PARA UNA VIDA MEJOR DE PERSONAS INFECTADAS/AFECTADAS POR EL VIH-SIDA – José
Antonio Zambrano – Honduras, <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="ES-VE" style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">13.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="ES-VE" style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">ASOCIACIÓN
TRANS DEL URUGUAY (ATRU) - Karina Pankievich – Uruguay,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="ES-VE" style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">14.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="ES-VE" style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">CARIBE
AFIRMATIVO – Vivian Cuello Santana – Colombia,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="ES-VE" style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">15.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="ES-VE" style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">CENTRO DE
PROMOCIÓN Y DEFENSA DE LOS DERECHOS SEXUALES Y REPRODUCTIVOS – (PROMSEX) –
George Hale – Peru,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="PT-BR" style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">16.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="PT-BR" style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">COLECTIVO
OVEJAS NEGRAS – José Ramallo – Uruguay,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="ES-VE" style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">17.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="ES-VE" style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">COLECTIVO
UNIDAD COLOR ROSA – Gabriela Redondo – Honduras,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="ES-VE" style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">18.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="ES-VE" style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">COLOMBIA
DIVERSA – Juan Felipe Rivera Osorio – Colombia,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="ES-VE" style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">19.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="ES-VE" style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">DIVERLEX –
DIVERSIDAD E IGUALDAD A TRAVÉS DE LA LEY – Tamara Adrián – Venezuela,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">20.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">D’MARCO
ORGANIZATION – Alexus D’Marco – The Bahamas,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<a href="https://draft.blogger.com/null" name="_Hlk516577368"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">21.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">EASTERN
CARIBBEAN ALLIANCE FOR DIVERSITY AND EQUALITY </span></a><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">(ECADE) –
Maria Fontenelle – Eastern Caribbean region,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="ES-VE" style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">22.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="ES-VE" style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">FUNDACIÓN
ARCOÍRIS POR EL RESPETO A LA DIVERSIDAD SEXUAL A.C. – Roberto Baeza – Mexico,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="ES-VE" style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">23.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="ES-VE" style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">FUNDACIÓN
DIVERSENCIA – Ronald Céspedes – Bolivia,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">24.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">J-FLAG/EQUALITY
FOR ALL FOUNDATION JAMAICA LTD.– Jaevion Nelson– Jamaica,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="ES-VE" style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">25.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="ES-VE" style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">LAS REINAS
CHULAS, CABARET Y DERECHOS HUMANOS A.C. – Luz Aranda Arroyo – Mexico, </span><span lang="ES-VE" style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="PT-BR" style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">26.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="PT-BR" style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">LETRA S,
SIDA, CULTURA Y VIDA COTIDIANA, A.C. – Laura Hernández – Mexico, <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="PT-BR" style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">27.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="PT-BR" style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">LIGA
BRASILEIRA DE LÉSBICAS – Mariana Meriqui Rodrígues – Brazil,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="ES-VE" style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">28.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="ES-VE" style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">ORGANIZACIÓN
TRANS REINAS DE LA NOCHE – Andrea González & Stacy Velásquez – Guatemala,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="ES-VE" style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">29.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="ES-VE" style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">RED DE
TRABAJADORAS SEXUALES DE LATINOAMÉRICA Y EL CARIBE (RedTraSex) – Elena Reynaga,
Herminda Gonzalez, Maria Lucila Esquivel, Azucena del Corzo, Fidelia Suarez,
Irina Cevallos, Nubia Ordoñez, Maria Elena Dávila, Regina Barahona, María
Consuelo Raymundo, Samantha Carrillo, Anahí López, Miriam Gonzalez, Santuzza –
Regional,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="ES-VE" style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">30.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="ES-VE" style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">RED
LATINOAMERICANA Y DEL CARIBE DE PERSONAS TRANS – Marcela Romero – Regional,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="ES-VE" style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">31.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="ES-VE" style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">RED MEXICANA
DE MUJERES TRANS – Paty Betancourt – Mexico,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="ES-VE" style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">32.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="ES-VE" style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">RED TRÉBOL –
Rayza Torriani – Bolivia,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">33.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="ES-VE" style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">SINDICATO AMANDA JOFRÉ – Alejandra Soto Castillo –
Chile,</span><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">34.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">SOCIETY
AGAINST SEXUAL ORIENTATION DISCRIMINATION (SASOD) – Joel Simpson – Guyana,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="ES-VE" style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">35.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="ES-VE" style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">TALLER DE
COMUNICACIÓN MUJER – Cayetana Salao S. – Ecuador,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">36.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">*THE
CANADIAN HIV/AIDS LEGAL NETWORK – Maurice Tomlinson – Canadá (*Associate Member),<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="PT-BR" style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">37.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="PT-BR" style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">TRANSVIDA –
Kerlyn Obando Quiros – Costa Rica,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="ES-VE" style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">38.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="ES-VE" style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">TRANS
ORGANIZACIÓN FEMINISTA POR LOS DERECHOS HUMANOS DE LAS PERSONAS TRANS – Miluska
Luzquiños – Peru,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">39.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">WOMEN’S
WAY FOUNDATION – Suzanna Bridgewater – Suriname.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="ES-VE" style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">Also in assistance:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="ES-VE" style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">40.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="ES-VE" style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">HONDUREÑOS
CONTRA EL SIDA – Alfredo González – The United States,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="PT-BR" style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">41.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="PT-BR" style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">REDE TRANS DE
BRASIL - Tathiane Araujo – Brazil.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">In addition, Synergía - Initiatives for Human Rights (Stefano
Fabeni, Marcelo Ernesto Ferreyra and Fanny Catalina Gómez Lugo) participated as
the organization that supports the coordination of the LGBTTTI Coalition.</span><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br />SASOD Guyanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01452359346236525674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11104569.post-42202533986895656172019-05-20T12:33:00.001-07:002019-07-30T07:50:01.463-07:00New US Ambassador and SASOD Guyana Celebrate Recent LGBTQ+ Victorie<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-top: 12.0pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: center;">
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-top: 12.0pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">In observance of the <span style="background: white; color: #222222;">International Day Against Homophobia,
Transphobia and Biphobia (IDAHOTB)</span> on May 17, the United States Embassy
in collaboration with Guyana’s Society Against Sexual Orientation
Discrimination (SASOD Guyana) hosted a reception at Aura Sky Lounge, Pegasus
Hotel Guyana, on Wednesday, May 15, 2019, to celebrate recent victories. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-top: 12.0pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Guyana’s lesbian, gay, bisexual,
transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) movement has had some small triumphs over the
past year. Guyana was the first country in the English-speaking Caribbean to
host a Pride Parade in early June last year. And then in November, the Caribbean
Court of Justice, Guyana’s highest court, delivered a landmark decision
declaring a colonial-era law against ´cross-dressing’ unconstitutional and
striking it down. On World Day for Social Justice on February 20 this year,
SASOD Guyana closed its first phase of two-day training workshops where 153
police officers from all across the country were trained in Gender, Sexuality
and Human Rights. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">In
her opening remakes <span style="background: white;">Her Excellency Sarah-Ann
Lynch,</span> <span style="background: white;">US<em><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> Ambassador to Guyana</span></em>, posited, </span>“In Guyana and many
other parts of the world, members of the LGBT community have sometimes faced violence,
harassment, intimidation, and disregard of their basic human rights. More
troubling is the fact that despite being signatories to the many United Nations
human rights agreements, many governments still seem far from establishing real
legal protections for members of the LGBT community.” “[However,] Gay rights are
human rights [and] If we as a society are committed to ensuring that all people
are respected and treated equally, then it is imperative to remember that this
includes the LGBT community as well. Justice and protection must be for all.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1WEbw-5ReSCs-4P5z1Du-O3eoyHczJy1Qp0ezUR5GkBGilMI-WKgFlRNwimbr2h1HuS8oOMD-z6985cJhym46ACqfdZaJIi8eeJ18oIQM5J-rssdrqWma72wnbTQWfKrLuREB/s1600/Photo+1+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1097" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1WEbw-5ReSCs-4P5z1Du-O3eoyHczJy1Qp0ezUR5GkBGilMI-WKgFlRNwimbr2h1HuS8oOMD-z6985cJhym46ACqfdZaJIi8eeJ18oIQM5J-rssdrqWma72wnbTQWfKrLuREB/s320/Photo+1+.jpg" width="219" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-top: 12pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><i>US Ambassador Sarah-Ann Lynch delivering opening remarks at the reception.</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">The
Ambassador commended SASOD Guyana for leading the effort to bring about
judicial and legislative change to ensure justice and protection for all
Guyanese. “We are encouraged by the small triumphs for the gay community in
Guyana recently,” Ambassador Lynch added. “The Government of Guyana has
signaled a softer tone towards the LGBT community, permitting the first gay
pride parade in June 2018.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We commend
the government for its support.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And last
November, the Government said that it respects the Caribbean Court of Justice’s
landmark decision that found that the Guyanese law against cross-dressing was
unconstitutional.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These are slow but
promising changes in attitude at the national level,” Ambassador Lynch
remarked. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6Dle8vUsrv-DWfvtfHwivGiXWGLgIAHlsTa_nTtI_LwioMaGtCMDJLGBYzhyphenhyphenPKmaRCXba_yMKjzfl1iDcXufTgtHs8wAqcvb3Of-672RZ5bd5WJJPEJvrsijTc8AeNz0ELkb1/s1600/Photo+2+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1303" data-original-width="1600" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6Dle8vUsrv-DWfvtfHwivGiXWGLgIAHlsTa_nTtI_LwioMaGtCMDJLGBYzhyphenhyphenPKmaRCXba_yMKjzfl1iDcXufTgtHs8wAqcvb3Of-672RZ5bd5WJJPEJvrsijTc8AeNz0ELkb1/s320/Photo+2+.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-top: 12pt; text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><i>US Ambassador Sarah-Ann Lynch (second from left) delivers opening remarks while US Deputy Chief of Mission Terry Steers-Gonzalez (left), First Lady Sandra Granger (second from right) and SASOD Guyana’s Managing Director Joel Simpson (right) listen from the stage.</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Speaking
on behalf of SASOD Guyana, Managing Director Joel Simpson echoed Ambassador
Lynch that IDAHOTB 2019 was a moment for Guyana to celebrate the recent LGBTQ+ victories.
Simpson, however, noted that the struggle for non-discrimination and equality
still continues as LGBTQ+ Guyanese face violence and discrimination in every the sector of their lives. He reminded the gathering that Guyana’s laws still
criminalize same-sex intimacy between consenting adult men and that
colonial-era “small crimes” like vagrancy and loitering target “the poorest of
the poor” in society. Simpson mentioned the social and economic challenges that
LGBTQ+ persons face accessing public transportation, education, healthcare and
work in the formal economy. He noted that the IDAHOTB 2019 theme which is
“Justice and Protection for All” is timely as SASOD Guyana is proposing a simple amendment to the Prevention of Discrimination Act 1997 to include sexual
orientation, gender identity and gender expression as categories of protection
from discrimination. While alerting the gathering that the 1997 Act only deals
with discrimination in relation to the right to work, Simpson posited that just
adding those three terms would be an important first step in providing
legislative protection from discrimination for LGBTQ+ Guyanese who face social
and institutional discrimination and have no specific recourse under the law. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRvG9625vl04IivlTlkAOlxZj9MJwaZGfUng3bp46EaZeASjQbPxM7JFm-awalP4y0JG8iP8RJ5JUv8ePVwxzlNfYneC4mExD3maOxxd8jiiw6-SJ6ZfNiLPYLVHboWvrH-iok/s1600/Photo+3+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1208" data-original-width="1600" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRvG9625vl04IivlTlkAOlxZj9MJwaZGfUng3bp46EaZeASjQbPxM7JFm-awalP4y0JG8iP8RJ5JUv8ePVwxzlNfYneC4mExD3maOxxd8jiiw6-SJ6ZfNiLPYLVHboWvrH-iok/s320/Photo+3+.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">In the foreground, First Lady Sandra Granger (left), US Ambassador Sarah-Ann Lynch (middle) and SASOD Guyana’s Managing Director Joel Simpson (right) sharing a light moment with some of SASOD Guyana’s Board Directors (in the background). </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"> </span></i></div>
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SASOD Guyanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04723698378273040077noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11104569.post-50439029570266619932019-04-11T06:41:00.002-07:002019-04-11T06:43:36.350-07:00 GTU and SASOD Mark Transgender Visibility Day with Public Transport Consultation<br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">In observance of
International Transgender Day of Visibility on March 31, the Guyana Trans
United (GTU) and Guyana’s Society Against Sexual Orientation Discrimination
(SASOD Guyana) in collaboration with the Ministry of Public Infrastructure
hosted a Stakeholder Consultation on Violence and Discrimination in Access to
Public Transportation for LGBTQ+ Persons at the Ministry’s Fort Street Kingston
board room on Wednesday, March 27, 2019.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">The aim of the consultation
was to share information, facilitate dialogue and formulate solutions with
regards to the standard of respect and treatment required for all persons utilizing
public transportation. The meeting discussed the effects of anti-LGBTQ
discrimination in accessing public transportation and regulations and solutions
aimed at preventing and punishing violence and discrimination against LGBTQ+
persons seeking to utilize public transportation services.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Participating in the
stakeholders consultation were representatives from the United Mini Bus Union,
Ministry of Public Infrastructure, Ministry of Business, Guyana Police Force,
UNAIDS, USAID Advancing Partners and Communities Project, GTU and SASOD Guyana.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">In brief opening remarks,
Managing Director of SASOD Guyana, Joel Simpson, noted that the goal of the
consultation was to find collective solutions to prevent the violence and
discrimination some LGBTQ+ persons, especially transgender persons, suffer when
using public transportation. SASOD Guyana’s Human Rights Coordinator, Valini
Leitch, pointed out the difficulties some LGBTQ+ persons encounter in accessing
public transportation. This, she said, subsequently affects persons’ ability to
access healthcare and basic needs and has been an ongoing problem, especially
for transgender persons who face the brunt of the abuses simply because of
their visibility. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Simpson emphasized that
every citizen should be able to access public transportation without fear of
violence or discrimination. The problem, he said, is not just limited to
mini-buses, but cuts across the local transportation sector, including taxis
and speed boats. He also noted the limitations that LGBTQ persons encounter in
accessing justice while also pointing out that the Caribbean Court of Justice
(CCJ) struck down Guyana’s law against crossdressing in November of last year. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">The Traffic Chief, Senior
Superintendent Linden Isles explained that the law is clear on the obligation
to carry passengers. He recognized that cases of discrimination do occur and
pointed out the importance of reporting swiftly to the police and giving a clear
and detailed statement of the police when these infringements occur. SASOD
Guyana’s Managing Director, Joel Simpson, noted that in some cases the traffic
ranks do prejudicially take the side of the taxi driver or mini-bus operator.
Simpson emphasized the need for sensitizing traffic ranks and transport
operators. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"> Muriel Tinnis-Duke,
Director of Consumer Affairs at the Ministry of Business, noted that the
recently released Code of Conduct for Minibus Operators was prepared with the
prevention of all forms of discrimination in mind. Recognizing gender as a
prohibited category of discrimination in the Code of Conduct, Simpson noted
that “sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression” needs to be
expressly included in the list of grounds in the Code’s non-discrimination
provision. He expressed the need for broader consultations on future iterations
of the document.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Clive Williams, Planning
Officer at the Ministry of Public Infrastructure’s Central Transport Planning
Unit, noted that his Ministry was in full agreement that persons should not
suffer any discrimination in accessing public transportation. He emphasized the
need to engage transportation bodies to have sensitization sessions. In
closing, Simpson acknowledged the role of education going forward and expressed
interest in further collaborations and bilateral meetings with the other
stakeholders at the meeting. He also noted the need for GTU and SASOD Guyana to
undertake community education so that LGBTQ+ persons can be informed of their role
in the process.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhspTM_Hxz5FDET4WSEsXwrZWmAv4Eh2ZmradriuKv-MNkBLEtNoqzuY6gpq7XzspTCTjV6JNn4otnZHjm0f5PB61CIRkyMrkv_vvNNReuBtGSGVOPsNRfXpVFOI8Sxpq0wCxhBsw/s1600/Photo+1+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="897" data-original-width="1600" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhspTM_Hxz5FDET4WSEsXwrZWmAv4Eh2ZmradriuKv-MNkBLEtNoqzuY6gpq7XzspTCTjV6JNn4otnZHjm0f5PB61CIRkyMrkv_vvNNReuBtGSGVOPsNRfXpVFOI8Sxpq0wCxhBsw/s320/Photo+1+%25281%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> Traffic Chief, Senior Superintendent Linden Isles
(right) speaking at the consultation. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEintXyArhY3nA3BHiaUjmNkYdp1CbBvYMlq_tfAC-EPg7Pvtew2hmasEwfvN_JwdYjgpFToQt3ObkhPgLokrGfJIdz7mPvuVg9bZaih-o00O350bs_xrzugrgl7acPvWqcbNeHFdQ/s1600/Photo+2+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1047" data-original-width="1600" height="209" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEintXyArhY3nA3BHiaUjmNkYdp1CbBvYMlq_tfAC-EPg7Pvtew2hmasEwfvN_JwdYjgpFToQt3ObkhPgLokrGfJIdz7mPvuVg9bZaih-o00O350bs_xrzugrgl7acPvWqcbNeHFdQ/s320/Photo+2+%25281%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"> GTU representative, Omatola Edwards (left) listens
attentively at the consultation. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKrjFntXJnj1XhOlZT64loQThDLaqhNAci1pyaaaCi3QfcU4zecX1viHOYRJMenlhAZC7GAasbirWmWhLHbWFsbdfyZ2x62sX3d9F4JbabQQwemYEc1XwyoagAwI_MRszQ1w1SDw/s1600/Photo+3+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="702" data-original-width="1600" height="140" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKrjFntXJnj1XhOlZT64loQThDLaqhNAci1pyaaaCi3QfcU4zecX1viHOYRJMenlhAZC7GAasbirWmWhLHbWFsbdfyZ2x62sX3d9F4JbabQQwemYEc1XwyoagAwI_MRszQ1w1SDw/s320/Photo+3+%25281%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Some of the participants at the recent Stakeholder
Consultation on Violence and Discrimination in Access to Public Transportation
for LGBTQ+ Persons. Seated (left to right) are President of the United Mini Bus
Union, Eon Andrews, Traffic Chief, Senior Superintendent Linden Isles, and
Executive Director of Guyana Trans United, Q. Gulliver McEwan. </span>SASOD Guyanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01452359346236525674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11104569.post-11789356192977626582019-02-25T05:52:00.000-08:002019-03-01T05:20:32.951-08:00LGBTQ+ Movement Celebrates Social Justice Day with Closing of Police Training<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-CA" style="color: black; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Marking World Day of Social Justice on Wednesday, February 20, 2019,
Guyana’s Society Against Sexual Orientation Discrimination (SASOD Guyana) and
Guyana Trans United (GTU) celebrated a milestone in their collaboration with
the Guyana Police Force (GPF) and the Ministry of Public Security with a
closing ceremony of the first phase of training workshops on Gender, Sexuality
and Human Rights. </span></span><span style="color: #222222; margin: 0px;"></span></div>
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</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: black; margin: 0px;">The ceremony was held at the Guyana Police
Force Officers’ Training Centre. In attendance were Deputy Police Commissioner
(Administration), Paul Williams, DSM, representing Commissioner of Police,
Leslie James, DSS, and Lead Training Officer, Senior Superintendent Fizal
Karimbash, representing the GPF;</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: black; margin: 0px;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; margin: 0px;">Mikiko Tanaka, United Nations Resident Coordinator,
other members of the diplomatic corps, public officials, officers of the GPF,
and civil society representatives, and sexual and gender minorities.</span></span><span style="color: #222222; margin: 0px;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: black; margin: 0px;">Mr. Clement Henry, </span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; margin: 0px;">Manager of
the Citizens Security Strengthening Programme at Ministry of Public Security,
delivered the feature remarks.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #262626; margin: 0px;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; margin: 0px;">Mr. Henry discussed the necessity of this type of
training to address pervasive discrimination in Guyana at its core. </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: black; margin: 0px;">The first series of two-day workshops entitled “Gender,
Sexuality, and Human Rights” facilitated by SASOD Guyana and GTU began on
January 21, 2019, and sensitized 143 officers from all the divisions across the
country. </span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; margin: 0px;">The training was designed to educate
officers on basic human rights, sensitize them to the unique needs of
vulnerable populations, including gender and sexual minorities. </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: black; margin: 0px;">The pre/post-test results from the first phase of the
training have shown a marked improvement of the police officers’ knowledge and
understanding of diversity issues.</span></span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLfYoSLFW3tstMLqUQ_CtdUxxlNG_fu-Q9GnweS9coUZ41fHgdXM9ANIFCd8KoM43sAtKUigWW-qy_hakTFQ6o6r7tzvMXAPRhrV7ppmDvwdy8s48P4v-AaBM4V_LeufcTJv9Bew/s1600/Photo+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: #0066cc; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1443" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLfYoSLFW3tstMLqUQ_CtdUxxlNG_fu-Q9GnweS9coUZ41fHgdXM9ANIFCd8KoM43sAtKUigWW-qy_hakTFQ6o6r7tzvMXAPRhrV7ppmDvwdy8s48P4v-AaBM4V_LeufcTJv9Bew/s320/Photo+1.JPG" width="288" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">Clement Henry, Manager of the Citizen Security
Strengthening Programme at Ministry of Public Security, delivering feature
remarks.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: black; margin: 0px;">Deputy Police Commissioner, Paul Williams, DSM, spoke on behalf of the
Commissioner of Police. He reiterated the GPF’s commitment to </span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; margin: 0px;">continuous education for the eradication of
discrimination and the protection of human rights. Mr. Williams remarked on the
necessity of collaboration and training for collective progress, and endorsed
subsequent phases of this collaborative training programme. He voiced optimism
for an inclusive and respectful Police Force and stated “that there must be no
discrimination.” The Deputy Commissioner told the gathering that the GPF would
welcome posters on LGBTQ+ human rights for display at every police station in
the country that would remind the officers of their commitments to equality and
respect for gender and sexual diversity, based on this training intervention. </span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Tcz-EqeY_8d0MlnS9rquZipuPHkclnOGs5eEHru95bsEnM3aT0xOH60uXM3mgsb9U0e3aF5fWVZv1h3dl0Xa9OwlOM_72hhKMWdW1sx9a5nPMJKFspU8jOeqAKHZAw4FKC1BIA/s1600/Photo+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: #0066cc; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1318" data-original-width="1600" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Tcz-EqeY_8d0MlnS9rquZipuPHkclnOGs5eEHru95bsEnM3aT0xOH60uXM3mgsb9U0e3aF5fWVZv1h3dl0Xa9OwlOM_72hhKMWdW1sx9a5nPMJKFspU8jOeqAKHZAw4FKC1BIA/s320/Photo+2.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Deputy Commissioner (Administration) Paul
Williams, DSM, speaking on behalf of the Guyana Police Force.</span></div>
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With ongoing support from the Ministry of Public Security and the Guyana
Police Force, this training programme will be extended to more members of the
GPF on a broader scale in the coming months. This project is being supported by Frontline AIDS’ Rapid Response Fund and the Caribbean Vulnerable Communities Coalition’s Global Fund Regional HIV Grant.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTUzCbiTtnfAnAYByVuZoGv_3tRuuwg5qjFJTX9cxBUmi2UdK9ABQ7timGMH7fI0I6B8GyCof3jAf6qtkW-jwggml2wQoLC6tfFmC_mH2nWvFhtBxybRuF_pepj2wSeO2c8f2BIw/s1600/Photo+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: transparent; color: #0066cc; font-family: "times new roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1004" data-original-width="1600" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTUzCbiTtnfAnAYByVuZoGv_3tRuuwg5qjFJTX9cxBUmi2UdK9ABQ7timGMH7fI0I6B8GyCof3jAf6qtkW-jwggml2wQoLC6tfFmC_mH2nWvFhtBxybRuF_pepj2wSeO2c8f2BIw/s320/Photo+3.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Representatives of the Guyana Police Force,
Ministry of Public Security and SASOD Guyana at the closing ceremony.</span></div>
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SASOD Guyanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01452359346236525674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11104569.post-36542807988662350172019-02-08T05:57:00.000-08:002019-02-11T13:03:52.450-08:00LJP visits SASOD<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Lennox Shuman, Presidential Candidate and Leader of the Liberty and Justice Party (LJP) visited Guyana’s Society Against Sexual Orientation Discrimination (SASOD Guyana) on Friday, February 1, 2019, at their office at 203 Duncan Street, Lamaha Gardens, to introduce LJP and share the party’s values and vision for a Guyana which is inclusive and respectful of gender and sexual diversity. Meeting with Managing Director Joel Simpson and Human Rights Coordinator Valini Leitch, Shuman and Sean Dublin, Senior Member of LJP Executive, also invited SASOD Guyana to review and comment on the party’s draft constitution, especially its provisions on human rights and social justice.</span></div>
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SASOD Guyanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04723698378273040077noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11104569.post-54205538733129931792018-12-17T09:10:00.000-08:002019-02-11T13:03:13.424-08:00SASOD Celebrates 15th Anniversary and Human Rights Day<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">On Sunday, December 16, 2018, Guyana’s Society Against Sexual Orientation Discrimination (SASOD Guyana) celebrated its 15th anniversary with a cocktail reception at the Impeccable Banquet Hall in Georgetown. For over 15 years, SASOD Guyana has been a dedicated voice for the LGBTQ+ Guyanese and has promoted non-discrimination and equality in the country and the Caribbean region.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">The Hon. Dr. Nicolette Henry, M.P, Minister of Education, delivered special remarks on behalf of the Government of Guyana. Minister Henry spoke about SASOD’s notable achievements on local, regional, and international stages such as engaging local government, leading public education and sensitization on gender and sexual diversity, and providing essential services to Guyana’s most marginalized citizens. Minister Henry also commended SASOD for the recent victory at the Caribbean Court of Justice where the organization played a critical role in demolishing a colonial-era law that criminalized cross-dressing and disproportionately penalized transgender and gender non-conforming persons. She said that this landmark decision highlights the fact that outdated laws do not reflect the current realities and values of inclusion and cohesion in Guyana today. The Minister confirmed the Government’s commitment to ending all </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">forms of discrimination and fulfilling the promise of equality and a good life for all Guyanese.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Education Minister Hon. Dr. Nicolette Henry M.P. delivering special remarks.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Founder and Managing Director, Joel Simpson, spoke on behalf of SASOD Guyana. Simpson spoke fondly of the grassroots movement’s humble beginnings as a student-led lobby group, and proudly of the acclaimed, influential movement, it has become. SASOD Guyana has represented the LGBTQ+ people for the past 15 years and has used every opportunity possible to hold the state accountable for its human rights obligations. SASOD will continue to advocate for equality and inclusion of all persons in Guyana.</span></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Managing Director of SASOD Guyana, Joel Simpson, giving opening remarks.</td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: justify;">Also in attendance was Opposition Chief Whip, Hon. Gail Teixeira, M.P., and Hon. Nigel Dharamlall, M.P., of the People’s Progressive Party / Civic (PPP/C). The two PPP/C parliamentarians joined the Education Minister and Simpson in cutting the SASOD 15th-anniversary </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; text-align: justify;">cake. The evening concluded with holiday merriment and excitement for the anticipated progress in the upcoming New Year. The celebratory event was supported by the United Nations Development Programme and COC Netherlands.</span></div>
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SASOD Guyana's Joel Simpson (third from left) cuts the 15th anniversary cake as opposition PPP/C parliamentarians, Nigel Dharamlall M.P. (far left) and Gail Texeira M.P. (second from left) and Minister of Education Hon. Dr. Nicolette Henry M.P. (far right) look on. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">SASOD Guyana's Joel Simpson (third form left0 feeds Opposition Cheif Whip Gail Texeira M.P. (second from left) a piece fo the 15th-anniversary cake as Nigel Dharamlall M.P. (far left) and Minister of Education, Hon. Dr. Nicollete Henry M.P. (far right) look on.</td></tr>
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SASOD Guyanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04723698378273040077noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11104569.post-24827268668503448912018-12-06T17:09:00.000-08:002018-12-17T07:12:07.233-08:00Recruiting Data Collectors for Key Populations Viral Load Study <br />
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-IN;">Guyana’s Society Against Sexual Orientation
Discrimination (SASOD Guyana) is seeking data collectors to assist
with in-country efforts on a project to estimate viral load suppression among key populations enrolled in HIV care and treatment in Region 4 of Guyana. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<u><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-IN;">Core Qualifications and Experiences<o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
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</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-IN;">Completed secondary school<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-IN;">Excellent communication skills<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-IN;">Ability to work in a non-judgemental and sensitive
manner with stigmatized groups such as men who have sex with men, transgender
persons and female sex workers living with HIV <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-IN;">Willing to travel moderate distances<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-IN;">Ability to work as part of a team<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-IN;">Familiarity with technology, smartphones and tablets<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-IN;">Post-secondary education in social sciences or health-related
field would be an asset<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-IN;">Previous work with marginalized communities<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-IN;">Successful applicants will be required to:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-IN;">Attend a mandatory 3-day training session tentatively
scheduled to start on January 11, 2019, in Georgetown. Transportation stipend
and lunch will be provided<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-IN;">Conduct surveys as needed using predetermined
guidelines and protocols<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-IN;">Complete scheduling and logging activities<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-IN;">Report to supervisors and other personnel in the
research team as outlined in the guidelines, terms of reference and
contract<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-ansi-language: EN-IN; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-IN;">Adhere to strict ethical and confidentiality
standards; will be required to sign confidentiality agreements<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-ansi-language: EN-IN; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-IN;">Participate in team correspondence, meetings and
debriefings as needed<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-ansi-language: EN-IN; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-IN;">Interact in a professional manner with the research team,
participants and stakeholders <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-ansi-language: EN-IN; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-IN;">Uphold respect for diversity and equality in
interactions, maintain good interpersonal working relationships and conduct
duties in accordance with appropriate health, safety and sustainability
practices<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-IN;"><br /></span></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-IN;">Working Hours:</span></u><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-IN;"> Day-time
hours and week days only for data collection.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-IN;"><br /></span></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-IN;">Duration:</span></u><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-IN;"> Data collection is expected to
last approximately 8 weeks<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-IN;"><br /></span></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-IN;">Remuneration:</span></u><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-IN;"> Data
collectors will be paid per survey completed at rate of $2,000 per survey<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-IN;"><br /></span></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-IN;">Application Procedures <o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-IN;">Please submit application letters and resumes
especially noting any prior survey experience by <u>email only</u> to<a href="https://draft.blogger.com/null" name="_GoBack"></a> publichealth@sasod.org.gy no later than <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">23:59 hours</b> on <b>Monday, December 31, 2018</b>.
Only short-listed candidates will be contacted for interviews. SASOD Guyana is
an equal-opportunity group and encourages applications from marginalized
persons, including sexual and gender minorities, sex workers and people living
with HIV. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />SASOD Guyanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01452359346236525674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11104569.post-62159956350091063092018-11-13T11:38:00.000-08:002018-12-13T11:39:35.250-08:00HIGHEST CARIBBEAN COURT STRIKES DOWN GUYANA’S CROSSDRESSING LAW <div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>Trans litigants and Caribbean civil society groups welcome the landmark ruling </i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In a greatly anticipated decision delivered on Tuesday morning, November 13, Guyana’s final court of
appeal, the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), ruled unanimously that the law which makes it a criminal
offence for a man or a woman to appear in a public place while dressed in clothing of a different gender
for “an improper purpose”, violates the Constitution of Guyana and is void. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The judgment of the Hon. Mr. Justice Saunders, the newly appointed President, said, “No one should
have his or her dignity trampled on, or human rights denied, merely on account of a difference, especially
one that poses no threat to public safety or public order.”</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> The four appellants, Gulliver (Quincy) McEwan, Angel (Seon) Clarke, Pheches (Joseph) Fraser and
Isabella (Seyon) Persaud, are trans women who were arrested and convicted in 2009 of the cross-dressing
offence found at section 153(1)(xvlvii) of the Summary Jurisdiction (Offences) Act, which is an 1893
law.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> The four spent three nights detained at a police station after their arrest for the minor crime. At their trial,
the magistrate told them that they were confused about their sexuality, that they were men and not
women, and urged them to go to church. They pleaded guilty to the cross-dressing offence because, as the
President of the CCJ pointed out, “it was more convenient and less expensive to do so than to retain
counsel to dispute the charges”, and were ordered to pay a fine of $7,500 Guyana dollars each.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> In 2010, the four appellants and the Society Against Sexual Orientation Discrimination (SASOD),
brought an action challenging the constitutionality of the offence and the statements made by the
magistrate. The CCJ said that, given SASOD’s objectives, the courts below had no good reason to strike
the organisation from the proceedings in 2013. The CCJ said courts should take a liberal approach to
standing in litigation that seeks to ensure the Constitution is properly interpreted and applied.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> First-named litigant and co-founder of Guyana Trans United (GTU), Gulliver McEwan, elatedly reacted
that “the whole trans community in Guyana is very happy today. I have always said that we should know
what the law expects of us before we act and I am pleased that the court agreed that this law is vague.”
McEwan added: “It was very important for us to be heard and get justice.” Discrimination is a part of
everyday life for many trans Guyanese. Isabella Persaud, one of the appellants said, “We are always
treated like trash.”</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> The CCJ looked at the historical context of this post-slavery vagrancy law and concluded that it was a law
from a different time that no longer served a legitimate purpose in Guyana. The panel of CCJ judges
comprised the President, the Hon. Mr. Jacob Wit, the Hon Mr. Justice Winston Anderson, the Hon. Mme.
Justice Maureen Rajnauth-Lee and the Hon. Mr. Justice Denys Barrow.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> The entire panel of five judges concluded that the law was unconstitutionally vague. The Court said that
laws must define criminal offences with “sufficient clarity that ordinary people can understand what
conduct is prohibited.” The majority concluded that the vagueness left transgender persons “in great
uncertainty as to what is and is not allowed” and also gave law enforcement virtually unlimited discretion
in applying the law.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> A majority of the judges also found that the law resulted in transgender and gender non-conforming
persons being treated unfavourably because of their gender expression and gender identity.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Justice Winston Anderson in a separate decision noted that forms of dress by themselves are not
objectionable and that “the essence of the crime … appears to consist … entirely of the state of mind of
the persons engaged in otherwise perfectly innocent conduct.” He concluded that “our jurisprudence
properly accepts that intentions by themselves are not constitutionally the proper subject of the criminal
law.”
The CCJ strongly criticized the comments of the magistrate at the 2009 trial, describing them as
“inappropriate.” The majority said that “judicial officers may not use the bench to proselytize” and went
further to say that the remarks “went beyond proselytizing” and “revealed stereotypical thinking” about
transgender persons.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Joel Simpson, Managing Director of SASOD, lauded the decision as “a clarion call to engage state actors
on how the law engenders social and economic exclusion of disadvantaged groups. Trans persons remain
vulnerable to arrests for small crimes like loitering in Guyana’s colonial-era vagrancy laws which are still
on the statute books.” He added that “The Court’s ruling that SASOD has standing to bring a claim on
behalf of the broader community of persons we represent will allow civil society groups to take legal
action when rights of its members are violated. This is a victory for human rights and justice in the
Caribbean.” </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Colin Robinson of Trinidad and Tobago’s Alliance for Justice and Diversity, who was among
representatives in court on Tuesday morning in Port of Spain, said, "There's so much to celebrate about
Caribbean justice today—about Caribbean lawyers, about Caribbean judges, about four pioneering trans
women who have expanded justice for so many Caribbean people the law fails, but what we in Alliance
for Justice and Diversity celebrate most is the CCJ's ruling that organisations like ours must have access
to the courts to advocate for our constituents."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> The legal team for the appellants and SASOD was led by human rights lawyer, Douglas Mendes SC, a
co-founder of and Advisor to the Faculty of Law, The UWI Rights Advocacy Project (U-RAP), which has
been involved in the case from the outset. Dr. Arif Bulkan, also a member of U-RAP, and then attorneyat-law Mr. Gino Persaud, appeared in the earlier stages of the case. The legal team also included Mr.
Nigel Hughes (Guyana), and Ms. Mishka Puran (Guyana), Clay Hackett (Trinidad and Tobago) and Isat
Buchanan (Jamaica). Lead counsel Douglas Mendes SC described today’s judgment as one that “will be
acknowledged as a significant contribution to Caribbean jurisprudence, especially because of its
insistence on the need to give due respect to everyone’s humanity.” </span></div>
SASOD Guyanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01452359346236525674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11104569.post-13743473532441318052018-10-18T21:00:00.000-07:002018-10-29T11:31:04.790-07:00Bullying in schools requires urgent attention – CPCE Principal, Viola Rowe (SASOD, GRPA’s YAM Launch Essay Competition for Students)<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: tahoma,sans-serif; font-size: 13.33px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 10.66px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: &quot; font-size: 16px; line-height: 17.33px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="color: black;">The head of Guyana’s
national teacher-training institution has called <span class="il">for</span> urgent attention to curb
bullying the nation’s schools. Viola Davis, Principal of the Cyril Potter
College of Education (CPCE) gave the warning at a reception to commemorate
Spirit Day last Thursday on October 18, 2018 at the British High Commissioner’s
residence in Georgetown.Rowe delivered the keynote address highlighting the
challenges faced by students who experience bullying on a constant basis in the
country’s schools. The event was hosted by Guyana’s Society Against Sexual
Orientation Discrimination (SASOD Guyana) and the Guyana Responsible Parenthood
Association’s Youth Advocacy Movement (GRPA’s YAM) with support from the
British High Commission in Guyana as part of their activities this October to
markBullying Prevention Month. </span></span></div>
<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: #222222; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: tahoma,sans-serif; font-size: 13.33px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
</span><br />
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: tahoma,sans-serif; font-size: 13.33px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 10.66px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: &quot; font-size: 16px; line-height: 17.33px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="color: black;">Also attending the event were
H.E. Sandra Granger, First Lady of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana, H.E.
Greg Quinn and Ms. Wendy Quinn, British High Commissioner to Guyana and spouse,
H.E. Lilian Chatterjee, Canadian High Commissioner to Guyana, Dr. Martin Oditt,
UNAIDS Country Director, other members of the diplomatic corps, civil society
representatives, youth volunteers, private sector representatives and other key
stakeholders. The reception featured a short programme including remarks from
British High Commissioner, along with musical renditions and the recitation of
an anti-bullying pledge. </span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikXh_VaTCbJ9eg_ERmbtdQzZ-vYj5H6IBOISu47rx2OBm8DTNtmhXIGN2-ArjuCz2dMrwmSfwlYi7QkFhSRjg7dPzPZFMf45orvajUXu1Xsi93_MN7M61cIJyg8FHDPcpZDW2VVg/s1600/Photo+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1600" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikXh_VaTCbJ9eg_ERmbtdQzZ-vYj5H6IBOISu47rx2OBm8DTNtmhXIGN2-ArjuCz2dMrwmSfwlYi7QkFhSRjg7dPzPZFMf45orvajUXu1Xsi93_MN7M61cIJyg8FHDPcpZDW2VVg/s320/Photo+1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: #222222; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: tahoma,sans-serif; font-size: 13.33px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">(Left to Right) Ms. Wendy Quinn looks on while First Lady Sandra Granger signs the guest book at last week’s Spirit Day reception at the British High Commissioner’s residence.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: &quot; font-size: 16px; line-height: 17.33px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="color: black;"><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: tahoma,sans-serif; font-size: 13.33px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 10.66px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
</span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: #222222; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: tahoma,sans-serif; font-size: 13.33px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
</span><br />
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: tahoma,sans-serif; font-size: 13.33px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 10.66px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: &quot; font-size: 16px; line-height: 17.33px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="color: black;">In her remarks, Rowe
appealed to all stakeholders including school partners and corporate society,
to “act now in observance of Spirit Day 2018 to make commitments to join the
fight to stop bullyingagainst LGBTQ persons and by extension, those who are
targets because of their race, ethnicity, gender, physical appearance,
financial status, religious persuasion, or intellectually ability.” </span></span></div>
<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: #222222; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: tahoma,sans-serif; font-size: 13.33px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
</span><br />
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: tahoma,sans-serif; font-size: 13.33px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 10.66px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: &quot; font-size: 16px; line-height: 17.33px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="color: black;">Rowe also emphasized that
schools have a legal and moral obligation to ensure that learners are exposed
to safe learning spaces, adding that bullying must be curbedat its roots to
ensure that the learning environment is safe <span class="il">for</span> everyone, including teachers.
She explained to the gathering that the impact of bullying on academic
performance continues to become progressively negative because of the stress
and mental distress caused. The CPCE Principal insisted that bullying,
especially against minorities,is an issue to be brought to the top of the list
of social school issues, requiring urgent attention as access to education is
fundamental <span class="il">for</span> the youth of Guyana. She added that bullying is a threat to
public health as it has major negative effects on persons’ mental and physical
health, resulting especially in depression, anxiety, distress and ultimately,
suicide. She assured the audience that CPCE is adamant in the promotion of
love, care, respect, tolerance and cohabitation. </span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSQZrNcoecUWOlqGnBXJ-MY9I4mcYNAFBgR_QkPOjGtgDLal44fLq8HNlA42LyaK3AUe5YSpVPwL1683MCHVlcFaarPOZHMwZ4frhz-jhqPt4BAQOO_URIb4R_a0pTGbR6b0jp6Q/s1600/Photos+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1600" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSQZrNcoecUWOlqGnBXJ-MY9I4mcYNAFBgR_QkPOjGtgDLal44fLq8HNlA42LyaK3AUe5YSpVPwL1683MCHVlcFaarPOZHMwZ4frhz-jhqPt4BAQOO_URIb4R_a0pTGbR6b0jp6Q/s320/Photos+3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: #222222; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: tahoma,sans-serif; font-size: 13.33px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">PCE Principal, Ms. Viola Rowe, delivering the keynote address.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: &quot; font-size: 16px; line-height: 17.33px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></span></div>
<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: #222222; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: tahoma,sans-serif; font-size: 13.33px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
</span><br />
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: tahoma,sans-serif; font-size: 13.33px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 10.66px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: &quot; font-size: 16px; line-height: 17.33px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="color: black;">British envoy,H.E. Greg
Quinn in his remarks stated that he has been dismayed by some of the “provocative
and downright inaccurate comments” made about LGBTQ people.<span style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"> </span>Quinn stated that there is no excuse <span class="il">for</span> such
ill-informed commentary and it cannot be dressed up as free speech as free
speech does not mean license to incite hate and violence. Quinn urged the
audience to not be dismayed by the ill-informed abuse and violence but to stand
up <span class="il">for</span> equal rights and ensure that no one faces persecution because of who
they are or who they love.</span></span></div>
<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: #222222; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: tahoma,sans-serif; font-size: 13.33px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
</span><br />
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: tahoma,sans-serif; font-size: 13.33px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 10.66px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: &quot; font-size: 16px; line-height: 17.33px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="color: black;">Before closing the
programme, SASOD and GRPA’s YAM launched an essay writing competition <span class="il">for</span>
students in Grades 7 to 9 enrolled in any secondary school in Guyana. The topic
<span class="il">for</span> the essays is “There should be effective policies and redress mechanisms to
curb all forms of bullying and discrimination against students and teachers in
Guyana’s schools.” Students in Grades 7 to 9 are encouraged to contact SASOD or
GRPA’s YAM <span class="il">for</span> details of the rules and prizes of the competition and submit
their essays by the November 16, 2018, deadline. </span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggQjKiTYiJMWnu4VWTc16KqPJ_TNJ7Uji6nW8AAdlO5e990Ezjo-yzhEdIf9fODkplE_6hXQuAK7Wwk2TYpe4TRcAOouRkvgdbh_D6sIdDPj1buTyNJIsyYiIYn-QTDfVQbkiH6Q/s1600/Photo+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1600" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggQjKiTYiJMWnu4VWTc16KqPJ_TNJ7Uji6nW8AAdlO5e990Ezjo-yzhEdIf9fODkplE_6hXQuAK7Wwk2TYpe4TRcAOouRkvgdbh_D6sIdDPj1buTyNJIsyYiIYn-QTDfVQbkiH6Q/s320/Photo+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: #222222; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: tahoma,sans-serif; font-size: 13.33px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">A section of the gathering at the Spirit Day reception.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: &quot; font-size: 16px; line-height: 17.33px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="color: black;"><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: tahoma,sans-serif; font-size: 13.33px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 10.66px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
</span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: #222222; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: tahoma,sans-serif; font-size: 13.33px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
</span><br />
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: tahoma,sans-serif; font-size: 13.33px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 10.66px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: &quot; font-size: 16px; line-height: 17.33px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="color: black;">Spirit Day is an annual
LGBTQ awareness day observed on the third Thursday in October. Started in 2010
by Canadian teenager Brittany McMillan, it was initially created in response to
a rash of widely publicized bullying-related suicides of gay school students in
2010. The name "Spirit Day" comes from the purple stripe of the
Rainbow flag, whose creator Gilbert Baker defined it as representing 'spirit'. Supporters
wear the colour purple as a visible sign of support <span class="il">for</span> LGBTQ youth and against
bullying during National Bullying Prevention Month as well as to honour LGBTQ
victims of bullying and suicide.</span></span></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br />SASOD Guyanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01452359346236525674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11104569.post-8774441533597678492018-09-23T11:15:00.000-07:002018-10-29T11:16:26.547-07:00Berbice Teams Dominate Civil Society Peace Day Games<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: tahoma,sans-serif; font-size: 13.33px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 10.66px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: &quot; font-size: 16px; line-height: 17.33px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="color: black;">On
Sunday, September 23, 2018, the Guyana Equality Forum (GEF) held its third annual
“Peace Day Sunday Fun Day,” celebrating the United Nations’ International Day
of Peace, under the theme, “The Right to Peace: The Universal Declaration of
Human Rights at 70.” The Fun Day saw the participation of GEF member organizations
and Guyanese of all walks of life. </span></span></div>
<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: #222222; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: tahoma,sans-serif; font-size: 13.33px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
</span><br />
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: tahoma,sans-serif; font-size: 13.33px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 10.66px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: &quot; font-size: 16px; line-height: 17.33px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="color: black;">United
Nations (UN) Resident Coordinator in Guyana, Ms. Mikiko Tanaka, delivered
opening remarks and officially declared the games open. The UN Resident
Coordinator referred to a recent report published by the Georgetown Law Human
Rights Institute this year titled “Trapped: Cycles of Violence and
Discrimination against Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Persons in
Guyana.” Tanaka stated “the “Trapped” report documents the heart-breaking
plight of LGBT Guyanese. The discrimination and bullying that people experience
on a daily basis because of their gender and sexual orientation are
unacceptable. The act of discrimination or bullying disrespects the dignity of
the affected persons, and violates their right to life, liberty and security.
Furthermore, it fosters hate, prejudice, intolerance and division in society.
Ignorance and indifference provide the fertile ground <span class="il">for</span> hate and
discrimination to grow like a cancer. It is so important to foster the voice
and acts of conscience, reason, courage, compassion and understanding to curb
this social cancer,” the UN envoy pleaded. </span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiAmL3DIwOtFgmJrhoe-Dyw_j4qyHOj36t7GKclQZZx-4N7_sIZRxdsz9fWlCn7wVETXs59v1KOz_J2j1uKuTkIRnjJklyWzA_4up2pPrTpTvy2DYC3t840Nc1w5yuHI7DDKsLAg/s1600/Photo+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiAmL3DIwOtFgmJrhoe-Dyw_j4qyHOj36t7GKclQZZx-4N7_sIZRxdsz9fWlCn7wVETXs59v1KOz_J2j1uKuTkIRnjJklyWzA_4up2pPrTpTvy2DYC3t840Nc1w5yuHI7DDKsLAg/s320/Photo+1.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">UN Resident Coordinator Mikiko Tanaka at the GEF Peace Day Sunday Fun Day</span></span><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: tahoma,sans-serif; font-size: 13.33px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 10.66px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: &quot; font-size: 16px; line-height: 17.33px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="color: black;"><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><span style="font-size: x-small;"></span><br /></span></span></div>
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</span><br />
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: tahoma,sans-serif; font-size: 13.33px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 10.66px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: &quot; font-size: 16px; line-height: 17.33px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="color: black;">Teams
from civil society groups in Berbice dominated the games, including; United
Brick Layers, who emerged as the champion team of day, and Comforting Hearts,
who placed third at the end of the games. Both local groups are based in New
Amsterdam. Family Awareness, Consciousness Togetherness (FACT) from Corriverton
came in fourth place, while Guyana’s Society Against Sexual Orientation
Discrimination (SASOD Guyana) placed second. The top three teams were awarded
trophies. Competitors placing first to third received individual medals <span class="il">for</span> all
of the activities, which included a series of sprint and relay races, along
with novelty games such as lime and spoon, jockey race, sack race, buns-eating
competition and many others. </span></span></div>
<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: #222222; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: tahoma,sans-serif; font-size: 13.33px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
</span><br />
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<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: tahoma,sans-serif; font-size: 13.33px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 10.66px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: &quot; font-size: 16px; line-height: 17.33px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="color: black;">The
third annual GEF Fun Day provided an opportunity <span class="il">for</span> diverse civil society
groups and Guyanese of all walks of life to come together through sports and
entertainment to build peace, unity and social cohesion. This signature GEF
events promotes Guyanese civil society working in unison <span class="il">for</span> respect and
protection of the rights of all people, regardless of race, age, religion,
class, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression,
disability status, health status, or any other human characteristic, in keeping
with the mandate of the network. </span></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: tahoma,sans-serif; font-size: 13.33px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 10.66px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: &quot; font-size: 16px; line-height: 17.33px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></span></div>
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</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIJxmPGU3IClfQeTmzJiHU22hSrnSWBsaCzvK8xmrA1fp_PvQBCHop6am8tv5oMiXBea_F37Bq70F2gycL5NYinWJMrw6gJRbMG5xBaJfeCmEjdZTzAA_zzF8ns8hDiCwj3yNvEg/s1600/Photo+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: #0066cc; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIJxmPGU3IClfQeTmzJiHU22hSrnSWBsaCzvK8xmrA1fp_PvQBCHop6am8tv5oMiXBea_F37Bq70F2gycL5NYinWJMrw6gJRbMG5xBaJfeCmEjdZTzAA_zzF8ns8hDiCwj3yNvEg/s320/Photo+2.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.33px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">United Bricklayers receives their trophy from GEF Manager, Joel Simpson
(right)</span><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: &quot; font-size: 16px; line-height: 17.33px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="color: black;">The
GEF is a network of civil society groups working cohesively to achieve equal
rights and justice <span class="il">for</span> all Guyanese. The GEF currently has 26 registered member
organizations from across the coastal regions of the country. SASOD Guyana
serves as the secretariat of the GEF. </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"></span><br /></div>
</span></span><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><span style="font-size: x-small;"></span><br />SASOD Guyanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01452359346236525674noreply@blogger.com0