This Tuesday (26/01) was the second day of the ILGA-LAC Regional Pre-Conference, a meeting held in the city of Curitiba (PR) until 31/01. On the occasion, topics such as the media, gay pride and LGBT policies of governments across Latin America and the Caribbean were debated.
Between the tables, the 1997st Forum of Gays, MSM and Trans from Latin America and the Caribbean took place. The work of the Association for Integral Health and Citizenship in Latin America and the Caribbean (ASICAL), founded in XNUMX in Lima, Peru, was presented. Fernando Muñoz Figueroa, who, in addition to being the coordinator of ASICAL, is an activist for LGBT rights in Chile, was one of the speakers.
According to Muñoz, ASICAL is an entity that works in partnership with several groups in Latin America, "including ABGLT". Its mission is to "identify the main difficulties in advancing the fight against HIV in the Latin and Caribbean region".
Religious fundamentalism and persecution of homosexuals
One of the most current topics debated yesterday was religious fundamentalism in countries that still criminalize homosexuality. George Liendo, from Peru, spoke about religious homophobia in his country, which is not very different from that experienced in Brazil.
According to George, the main opponents of Peruvian gay life are religious institutions, "mainly Catholic ones". Liendo said that the strongest in his country "is Opus Dei", a reactionary sector of the Catholic Church. George clarified that the aforementioned institution is placed in "power structures, mainly in universities and they tend to work in silence".
Just like in Brazil they have parliamentarians "and two ministers who are Opus Dei". Still on the political influence of religious fundamentalist groups, George highlighted the "Sodalício de La Vida Cristiana". "It is the 2nd strongest organization after Opus Dei, its main mission is to influence governments."
After the presentation by George Liendu from Peru, an overview was given of the worst countries for the gay community. The region identified as the most conservative and dangerous is Central America and the Caribbean, where more than 90% of countries criminalize homosexuality with jail and the death penalty.
Nigel, an activist from Guyana, revealed to those present that "it was great" to be at a meeting where civil unions and the criminalization of homophobia were discussed, as this debate does not exist in his country. According to the Caribbean activist, "all political parties are conservative. While you fight for civil union, we fight to not be arrested", he concluded.
