Date: Sun, 30 Apr 95 19:53:52 BST From: Andy Quan The International Lesbian and Gay Assocation: (general information leaflet #1) ILGA 81 Kolenmarkt 1000 Brussels Belgium phone/fax 32 2 502 2471 e-mail: ilga@gn.apc.org The International Lesbian and Gay Association (ILGA) is a worldwide federation of national and local groups dedicated to achieving equal rights for lesbians and gay men everywhere. Founded in 1978, it now has more than 450 group and individual members. Every continent and more than 60 countries are represented. ILGA member groups range from small collectives to national networks and entire cities. ILGA's AIMS ILGA helps members achieve their rights through worldwide cooperation. We focus public and government attention on cases of discrimination against lesbians and gay men by supporting programs and protest actions, asserting diplomatic pressure, providing information and working with the international media. ILGA CAMPAIGNS Many of ILGA's international campaigns have helped to win major victories. Our pressure contributed to the legalisation of homosexuality in New Zealand, Russia, Ireland and other countries, repeal of the discriminatory US immigration policy, compliance by various nations with the decisions of the European Court of Human Rights, and growth of a democratic multiracial lesbian and gay movement in South Africa. In many countries, notably throughout Eastern Europe, ILGA has supported the emergence of the first autonomous lesbian and gay groups. ILGA also highlights the vicious oppression of homosexuals in countries where it is too dangerous for any organised movement to exist, such as Iran. We have participated in many conferences, including those sponsored by the World Council of Churches, the United Nations, the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe, and the World Health Organisation. ILGA represents lesbian and gay interests in the work of international bodies such as the United Nations. After years of campaigning, ILGA has convinced Amnesty International to accept lesbians and gay men imprisoned for their sexuality as "prisoners of conscience"; ILGA now provides AI with information on such cases. ILGA also works on the regional level. In Europe, ILGA has convinced the European Community to ensure that account of the impact on lesbians and gay men is taken in preparing policy documents, for example, the February 1994 RResolution on equal rights for homosexuals and lesbians in the European CommunityS. ILGA did the groundwork for the recently-published report "Homosexuality - A European Community issue". Another international achievement: ILGA was instrumental in the deletion of "homosexuality" from the World Health Organisation's International Classification of Diseases, and collaborates closely with the WHO's Global Programme on AIDS. All around the world, at international conferences and within international organizations, we work to ensure that our communities are not forgotten by those who formulate international human rights demands. THE ILGA CONFERENCE Our annual World Conference attracts delegates from all over the globe - from Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe and the Pacific. It provides International activists with the opportunity to learn from other countries, to present achievements, collaborate other groups on national and international projects, and to help to set the international gay and lesbian agenda. The conferences are also a celebration of the marvelous diversity of the international gay and lesbian movement, as representatives from more and more countries come each time and we improve our proportion of lesbian participants. The Annual Conference is ILGA's highest decision-making body, which ensures democratic decision-making on issues concerning ILGA as a whole. Regional conferences are also encouraged; regional conferences can make decisions affecting their area within the policies adopted by the World Conference. So far, regional conferences have been held in Europe, Latin America, Eastern and Southeastern Europe and Asia. Others are in the planning stage. THE ILGA BULLETIN Through our bi-monthly Bulletin, members around the world share information, call for support and exchange views. The bi-monthly ILGA Bulletin enables groups to exchange news of their successes and set-backs - all aimed at assisting the many lesbian and gay communities learn from each other and identify global resources. The Bulletin is mailed to all members, to the lesbian and gay media and to international human rights organisations. The ILGA Bulletin is an indispensable source of global information and contact names ! ILGA SECRETARIATS ILGA's on-going work is co-ordinated by the Administrative Office (based in Belgium) which produces the Bulletin, disseminates information, works with the media, collects membership fees and provides administrative support. Political responsibility for ILGA's work in between conferences lies with the Secretariats and Back-up Secretariats. Lesbian visibility and participation are ensured through the Women's Secretariat (Mexico- El Closet de Sor Juana). The Action Secretariat (USA- International Lesbian & Gay Human Rights Commission) and its back-up (Japan-OCCUR) coordinate international protests. The Financial Secretariat (Sweden-RFSL) and back-up (USA) are responsible for fund- raising. ILGA is officially represented by two Secretaries-General (one lesbian and one gay man) - currently Rebeca Sevilla from Peru and Hans Hjerpekjon from Norway. All of these posts are elected at the World Conference. MEMBERSHIP Full membership in ILGA is open to all non-commercial lesbian, gay and bisexual groups that support the aims of the ILGA. Associate/individual memberships are also available. Through our "twinning" project, ILGA links member organisations from economically advantaged and disadvantaged countries in a network of mutual support and solidarity. ILGA also supports groups around the world through grants schemes. All applications for membership are subject to approval at the World Conference, but applicants get mailings immediately. The annual group membership fee is GB100 / US$165 (for full or associate membership). The annual fee for individual members is GB60 / US$100. Contact the Administrative Office for application forms and information on how to pay the fees. HOW CAN YOU GET INVOLVED ? There are many ways of getting involved in international activism. Here are some suggestions: - Become a member ! ILGA encourages organisations and individual lesbians, gay men and bisexuals to join. Members receive the ILGA Bulletin (five issues each year) and other ILGA mailings. They have guaranteed access to ILGA regional and Annual Conferences. - Make a donation ! International activism is expensive and the ILGA is operating on a minimal budget. Financial support is very welcome. Donations can be made to ILGA account No. 0519777, Lloyds Bank, 22/24 Southampton Street, LONDON WC2 7JB, United Kingdom, or to ILGA Giro Account No. 51 356 08 07, United Kingdom. You can also send Sterling cheques drawn on a UK bank, Dollar cheques drawn on a US bank, or Eurocheques . - Join your local ILGA member ! (addresses are available from the ILGA Administrative Office). ILGA member groups participate in protest campaigns against discrimination in response to calls from the Action Secretariat, and are often involved in ILGA projects. - Tell us about your part of the world! Our Administrative Office is continually being asked for information about the situation in various parts of the world, and so all first-hand reports of your experience and of progress (or set-backs) in local campaigns to eliminate discrimination are very welcome. - Spread the word about ILGA ! The more people who know about ILGA, the more effective its campaigns will be. Because of its limited resources, ILGA has to rely on largely on "word-of-mouth" publicity. So make sure that your group's publications make reference to ILGA wherever appropriate. *********************** thanks for reading this. Contact us by post or e-mail if you are interested or need any more information. Please be advised that we are severely understaffed and might take a little while to respond. Also, we answer questions on membership, the organization, and sometimes on member groups or international politics, but if you have questions on travel, or on help for academic work, you would have more luck posting a msg to queerplanet or motss. also, please note that we do not have a separate subscriber's rate. Unfortunately, the production and mailing costs from Belgium are rather high, and therefore, bulletins are only sent to individual and group members. best wishes, andy quan, coordinator.