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Showing posts from August 24, 2016

United Nations Makes History on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity

United Nations Makes History on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity  UN human rights body establishes an Independent Expert   ( Geneva, June 30, 2016)     In a defining vote, the United Nations Human Rights Council adopted a resolution on “Protection against violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation, and gender identity”, to mandate the appointment of an Independent Expert on the subject. It is a historic victory for the human rights of all persons who are at risk of discrimination and violence because of their sexual orientation or gender identity, 28 human rights groups said today. This resolution builds upon two previous resolutions, adopted by the Council in 2011 and 2014.   The Core Group of seven Latin American countries – Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Mexico, Uruguay – and 41 additional countries jointly presented the text.    The resolution was adopted by a vote of 23 in favor, 18 against and 6 abstentions.     “This is

Press Statement – For Immediate Release LGBTI Lives Under Threat as Tanzania Bans Distribution of Lubricant! Johannesburg, August 11, 2016

Tanzania is seeing a fresh wave of homophobia since June 28, 2016, following a television interview on HIV prevention, where a trans-woman discussed health care programming for populations most at risk of HIV. The Dar Es Salaam Regional Commissioner reacted negatively, publicly referring to LGBTI people as illegal and calling for their arrest. The public call by the Regional Commissioner was also followed by the publication of pictures and names of suspected LGBTI people in a local tabloid. According to The Citizen, The Tanzania Ministry of Health subsequently called for a ban on lubricants, a safer sex commodity, as these are seen to encourage homosexuality. Since the ban on lubricants was issued, organisation providing HIV services to key populations report that some of their clients have stopped seeking health care and defaulted on their ART regimens. People suspected or perceived to be lesbian, bisexual, transgender or intersex (LGBTI) have also been subjected to police harassment,