Brazilian Supreme Court creates national civil unions
In a 10-0 decision May 5, Brazil's Federal Supreme Court ordered that same-sex couples be permitted to register their unions, which will grant them the rights of marriage.
The ruling came in two cases. In one, the governor of Rio de Janeiro state, Sérgio Cabral, argued that nonrecognition of the same-sex unions of state employees violated constitutional guarantees of equality, freedom and dignity. He also said that conflicting rulings around the nation had created legal confusion.
The other case, filed by the federal attorney general's office, asked that same-sex couples be legally considered "family" and granted the same rights as opposite-sex couples. The office also said that not recognizing same-sex unions violated guarantees of equality and dignity.
Gay activists hailed the ruling and vowed to push onward for access to marriage.
"The Supreme Court decision is a victory for democracy," said Toni Reis, president of the Brazilian Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans Association. "No one has lost as a result of the decision, not even those who are contrary, but a significant proportion of Brazilian men and women have gained access to equal rights guaranteed by the federal Constitution thus far denied to same-sex couples."
"The Supreme Court has given an excellent example to the National Congress, which has not advanced with this issue since it was first submitted in 1995," Reis added. "This is yet another victory in the battle against inequality. We shall continue to demand that the National Congress approve legislation to criminalize homophobic discrimination and to recognize civil marriage between same-sex couples."
With a population of almost 191 million, Brazil is the fifth-largest nation in the world, and has the world's largest Roman Catholic population.
Brazilian census counts same-sex couples
Brazil's 2010 census found 60,000 gay and lesbian couples, the government's Institute of Geography and Statistics said April 29.
Census takers asked respondents if they considered themselves a same-sex couple.
"We expected the figure to be lower than this," said Toni Reis, president of the Brazilian Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans Association. "In a heteronormative society many gay and lesbian people prefer not to reveal this sort of information for fear of discrimination."
Still, given Brazil's population of 190.7 million, Reis called the 60,000 figure "just the tip of the iceberg."
"Without a doubt, the number will be much higher in the next census in 10 years' time, as LGBT people become more open," he said.
The LGBT association ran a campaign to encourage same-sex couples to declare their relationship.
For the 2020 census, the organization plans to encourage the government to also ask about sexual orientation, "so that there will finally be official statistics estimating the size of Brazil's LGBT population and serving to orient public policies."
Ugandan LGBT activist wins top human rights award
Ugandan LGBT activist Kasha Jacqueline Nabagesera was selected May 3 as the recipient of this year's Martin Ennals Award for Human Rights Defenders.
The major award is a joint project of 10 human-rights organizations, including Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch and the International Commission of Jurists.
Nabagesera is the founder and executive director of Freedom and Roam Uganda, one of the nation's leading LGBT organizations.
In announcing the award, the Martin Ennals Foundation said: "Kasha has had the courage to appear on national television in Uganda, she has issued press statements on behalf of the gay community, and spoke on several radio stations. Already in 2007 she was harassed at the World Social Forum in Nairobi, and on many occasions afterwards she was heckled, threatened and even attacked by people for appearing in the media. Since then she has been shifting from house to house, afraid to stay long in the same place."
Nabagesera's name appeared on the infamous list of alleged Ugandan homosexuals published last year by a local tabloid newspaper. Gay leader David Kato was murdered after appearing on the list, though police have suggested that the two occurrences were unrelated, saying that a man Kato bailed out of jail confessed to killing Kato because Kato offered him a car, house and money in exchange for sex, then didn't provide the items.
Nabagesera will receive the award later this year at a ceremony in Geneva.
Three days after the announcement of Nabagesera's award, Uganda's Parliament resumed active consideration of the notorious Anti-Homosexuality Bill that has been pending since 2009. The final day that the bill could be passed in its current form is May 13.
The measure would imprison for life anyone convicted of "the offense of homosexuality," punish "aggravated homosexuality" (repeat offenses, or having gay sex while being HIV-positive) with the death penalty, forbid "promotion of homosexuality" and incarcerate gay-rights defenders, and jail individuals in positions of authority for up to three years if they fail to report within 24 hours the existence of all LGBT people or sympathizers known to them.
Top Russian sexologist dies
Russian sexologist Igor Kon, whose research on sexuality and the history of gay culture are considered fundamental works by Russian LGBT activists, died April 27 following a long illness. He was 82.
"Kon devoted several of his works to the history of the gay community and its culture in Russia and abroad," said GayRussia.Ru. "He was one of the few members of the Russian intelligentsia and academic community who spoke against homophobia and in support of a tolerant attitude towards LGBT people."
In 2005, Kon received the World Association for Sexual Health's Gold Medal for outstanding contributions to sexology.
Tijuana plans 5-day LGBTI congress and 16th pride parade
An ambitious Cultural Congress Against Homophobia is set to unfold May 17-21 in the border city of Tijuana, Mexico, a metropolis of about 1.6 million people.
Sponsored by the Tijuana LGBTI Cultural Community, or COCUT, the congress includes artistic, literary, entertainment, educational, film, theater and HIV-related events in the city's historic downtown -- on Revolution Avenue, in Plaza Santa Cecilia and Teniente Guerrero Park, and at the Palace of Culture on Second Street.
"The realization of this great event arises as a need to celebrate diversity and, at the same time, to sensitize the citizenry by demonstrating the human qualities and values of the LGBTI community, which in this city is composed of professionals, teachers, artists, creative people and workers in different industries who demonstrate through their ability, ingenuity and people skills their desire to become an integral part of society," COCUT said.
The congress will kick off with a "mega caravan" that will depart Teniente Guerrero Park on May 17 at 4 p.m. and "cross the expanse of the urban area from east to west." The park is between Third and Fourth streets and avenues F (5 de Mayo) and G (González Ortega). The procession will return to the park for an evening gathering and fiesta.
On May 18 and 19, starting at noon, there will be films, lectures, art exhibits and other activities at the Municipal Institute of Art and Culture (IMAC) on Second Street downtown, just west of Constitution Avenue (which is one block west of Revolution Avenue).
The congress' lecture series will address topics such as bisexuality, gay identity on the border, male sex workers, violence in same-sex couples, activism, and LGBTI legal advances in the state of Baja California.
On May 20 starting at noon, there will be outdoor music, theater and dance on Revolution Avenue, along with a drag show and a queen contest. On May 21, Revolution will feature live music and DJ stages and, according to one report, "a big surprise artist."
COCUT said the week's events are "a magnificent chance to enjoy, learn, make new friends, be with family, contribute to making Tijuana more united and spend moments of camaraderie among equals."
For a promotional video, see tinyurl.com/cocut11. For more information, see facebook.com/cocutlgbti.
Pride parade June 18
Tijuana's 16th gay/lesbian pride march hits the streets Saturday, June 18, at 5 p.m.
Several hundred people joined last year's parade down Revolution Avenue, the city center's main drag.
That was about 10 times more than the 85 pioneers who marched in the city's first gay pride parade in 1995.
Last year's sponsors included the state government, the tourism committee, a merchants' association and a brewery.
Marchers will gather in front of the Alliance Against AIDS (ACOSIDA) Clinic at 7648 First Street (Calle 1ra), five blocks west of Revolution between Avenue E (Mutualismo) and Avenue F (5 de Mayo). (Some street signs refer to Calle 1ra as Calle ArtÃculo 123.)
To get there: Walk across the international border at San Ysidro. Exit the southern pedestrian turnstiles (not the western ones) and turn right. Pass through the taco and tchotchke stands, and cross Avenida Amistad. Continue straight through the now-mostly-deserted Viva Tijuana open-air mall, then ascend the big Tijuana River pedestrian bridge and cross the river. Continue straight ahead (west) about two blocks and cross under the St. Louis-style arch on Avenida RevoluciÃ"n. Enter Calle 1ra/ArtÃculo 123 (do not veer left into the slanted Plaza Santa Cecilia pedestrian mall) and proceed to number 7648. (Some buildings may be marked in an older street-numbering system; pay attention only to numbers above 7000.)
To get to the border, take the San Diego Trolley or drive and park in a paid lot on the U.S. side.
Assistance: Bill Kelley
