Date: Sun, 30 Jun 1996 21:48:07 +0200 From: ilga Subject: Special Report: BOLIVIA! 30 June 1996. ILGA Special Report: Bolivia THIS SPECIAL REPORT, FROM THE GROUP, MGLP, IS THE MOST EXTENSIVE REPORT THAT ILGA HAS EVER RECEIVED ON THE SITUATION FOR GAYS IN BOLIVIA. PLEASE CREDIT US IF YOU PUBLISH THE WHOLE OR PART OF IT, AND IF ANY OF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN CONTACTING THEM, I'M SURE THESE BRAVE ACTIVISTS WOULD LIKE TO MAKE LINKS WITH OTHER PARTS OF THE WORLD: Best wishes, Andy Quan coordinator ****** M.G.L.P. LIBERTAD (The "Libertad" (Freedom) Gay Movement in La Paz) Background The city of La Paz, the seat of the government of the Republic of Bolivia, has a population of over 1 million, of whom around 10 000 are estimated to be homosexual. Nonetheless, for most people in the city the gay community is an invisible unknown, as a result of the social pressure. Homosexuality is never discussed in Bolivia and this is typical in the macho ethos that prevails here, as in many Latin American societies. In Bolivia, homosexuals are viewed, not to say pigeon-holed, as undesirables that are outside society's normal moral code. For this reason, it is in the interest of most gay people to simply go along with whatever their family expects of them. The economic and social advantages of being part of a family far outweigh the disadvantages of a gay identity, such as homophobia, concealing one's identity and leading a double life. The sort of social clubs, community and health centres and gay press that are so common in many countries in Europe do not exist in Bolivia. It is often difficult for gay people to make use of welfare and health services, since discrimination makes them unable or unwilling to reveal their true identity. Furthermore, the police and the courts can hardly be counted on to protect gay people, when they are threatened by problems such as violence, threats, blackmail or slander and the like. "At around midnight on 3 June 1995, during an anti-drugs raid on nightspots in La Paz, a police detachment burst into a well-known gay bar called Cherry. Despite the fact that no illegal substances were found, around 120 gay customers were held in police custody until 5 o'clock in the afternoon the next day. They were denied their civil rights and beaten, apparently because of their sexual orientation" - report in Ultima Hora of 3 February 1996. We felt fear, anxiety and rage at not being able to defend ourselves, as we were subjected to the most inhuman treatment with taunts, insults and threats to expose our sexuality publicly. "Between February and August of the same year, no less than four well-to-do homosexuals were violently murdered in their homes in La Paz" - report in Ultima Hora of 3 February 1996. This state of affairs makes it difficult to reach the gay community in Bolivia to provide social activities and educational campaigns or to do AIDS prevention work and the like. M.G.L.P. LIBERTAD At the beginning of 1995 gays in La Paz set up the "Libertad" Gay Movement to protect the rights of its members, promote gay solidarity, fight for social recognition to destigmatize homosexuality and deal with the threat of abuse and discrimination. For these purposes the following activities have been developed: - organizing the first holistic workshop together with ILPES (Costa Rica); - drawing up rules of procedure for the movement; - setting up a management board; - holding meetings and social activities; - seeking funding for club house premises (our application has been approved by HIVOS, a Dutch funding agency); - obtaining legal status; - STD/HIV/AIDS prevention activities etc. In order to reach out further and gain more experience, M.G.L.P. maintains contacts with its counterparts in Santa Cruz (UNELDYS - "United in the fight for dignity and health") and Cochabamba ("DIGNIDAD" - dignity). Contact them at: MGLP Libertad Casilla 10471 La Paz Bolivia ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ILGA - International Lesbian and Gay Association 81 Kolenmarkt, B-1000 Brussels, Belgium Phone/Fax +32-2-502-2471, E-mail: ilga@ilga.org A federation of over 300 groups from 75 countries fighting for the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people. We also have over 100 supportive associate and individual members. Will you join us? Contact us for more info!