This rainy Wednesday morning was historic for the GLBT movement in São Paulo. No. There were not thousands parading through the city's streets in favor of gay citizenship, but there at number 184 of Pateo do Colégio, the place from where the city expanded, an important event, to say the least, took place. The Special Secretariat for Participation and Partnership, representing the city hall, signed a cooperation agreement with the State Department of Justice and the State Public Defender's Office.
The term is another tool to assert your (our) rights. From now on, complaints of discrimination that reach CADS or the Reference Center will be forwarded to the Department of Justice and the Public Defender's Office. Effectively, there will be more people to meet the demand.
One of the articles signed between the parties provides free legal advice for those who need the services of a lawyer and are unable to pay for one. According to surveys presented during the session in 2006, 26 people across the State made complaints against discrimination. This year's statistics, until September, is 5 people. However, the survey does not mean that the number of discrimination in São Paulo has decreased. Experts present attributed the lack of information and fear of exposure as responsible for the lack of reports.
The measure is also to publicize the existence and content of law 10.948/01, which provides for punishment for individuals, legal entities or even public officials who discriminate against someone because of their sexual orientation.
One of the highlights of the ceremony was the speech by Cássio Rodrigo, Coordinator of CADS – Coordination of Sexual Diversity Affairs. In his speech he recalled countless partnerships that the organization had created without which (perhaps) little would have been done. Cássio also drew attention to the fact that coordinators from other coordinators, such as black, young and elderly, were present. "Sexual orientation is independent of race, age and sex," he recalled.
The cooperation term is valid for one year and can be renewed or revoked. But this will depend on what demand requires. The authorities cannot do anything without the participation of the GLBT population. We pushed to achieve recognition of this important right, so let's make use of it. Let's keep pushing.
