After 10 years of actions focused on Political Incidence and Social Control of public policies aimed at Sexual Diversity, the NGO SOMOS (Communication, Health and Sexuality), from Porto Alegre (RS), ends its activities in February this year.
In a letter sent to the press, the institution states that the measure is due to “the dismantling and neglect to which countless Brazilian Non-Governmental Organizations, of public utility and non-profit, have been subjected, which develop social actions with resources exclusively coming from the public budget and through institutional partnerships”.
According to Sandro Ka, general coordinator of SOMOS, since its foundation, on December 10, 2001, the NGO has maintained itself with voluntary work and investments from its founding partners, who have always invested in paying rent for the headquarters, basic services and , even permanent material. However, this situation has become unsustainable.
“Despite the crisis to which we are subjected, due to political neglect, we will not silence our voice and will maintain our actions of political influence and Social Control of public policies”, declared Sandro Ka.
Free services such as legal advice for people who are victims of discrimination and violence, distribution of supplies to prevent HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted infections, maintenance of social groups, educational workshops and access to the documentary collection with more than 2 thousand items , including books and films were offered by SOMOS and will now be suspended, with no date for reactivation.
