Date: Fri, 25 Jun 1999 12:24:46 +0200 From: Tom Hoemig Subject: Press Release - Pride PRESS RELEASE PRIDE '99 Statement by International Lesbian and Gay Association (ILGA Co-Secretaries General Jennifer Wilson and Jordi Petit THIRTY YEARS FIGHTING FOR THE RIGHT TO LOVE Thirty years after the Stonewall Riots, the Lesbian and Gay Movement around the world has achieved many important advances. Over the years of struggle, we have obtained landmark victories, such as the 1981 declaration by the Council of Europe recognizing people's right to sexual self determination. Many years ago, homosexuality was removed from the list of diseases published by the World Health Organization; and more recently Amnesty International extended protection to prisoners - jailed for their sexual orientation - as prisioners of conscience; however, this still remains outside the Amnesty mandate. But all this is not enough. Although 86 countries have legalized homosexuality since the Stonewall Revolution, another 14 countries have anti-discrimination laws, and 7 recognize same-sex couples, we are still a long way from equality. When we hear the bombs in London resounding in our ears, when Matthew Sheppard's murder is still vivid, when we remember that in Latin America, a lesbian or gay man is killed on average every 3 days - we know that our struggle is not yet over. Many, many governments remain indifferent to these assasinations, committed with impunity. Some turn a blind eye on their own security forces committing these atrocities. Others apply the death penalty for consensual same-sex sexual contact, countries such as Iran, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, MauritaniaŠ And still many governments contribute to the death of millions of citizens when they deny funding for AIDS prevention campaigns in the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender communities. On the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the Lesbian and Gay Pride Celebrations, ILGA calls for solidarity amongst the international GLBT community. Each victory in each country must be seen to add to our world-wide equality. There might be 86 countries where they still penalize homosexuality, but we must press on. The price of freedom is eternal vigilance, and we must continue the struggle until Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender persons everywhere are free to enjoy their human rights in full. ILGA has been working for the past 21 years for the right to love. We now enjoy consultative status with the Council of Europe, and for the first time we were received at the UN Human Rights Commission. However there is still a long way to go. We are celebrating with joy the struggle and the achievements of the last 30 years. It has been worth the effort, it will always be worthy of our effort - and we must continue to forge ahead. LESBIAN AND GAY RIGHTS ARE HUMAN RIGHTS. Jennifer Wilson (Sydney) Jordi Petit (Barcelona) International Lesbian and Gay Association ILGA - International Lesbian and Gay Association Kolenmarkt, 81 * B-1000 Brussels * Belgium Phone/Fax +32-2-502-2471 E-mail: ilga@ilga.org * World Wide Web site http://www.ilga.org/ Since 1978 A federation of over 400 groups from more than 80 countries fighting for equal human rights for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people. We also have over 200 supportive associate and individual members. Consultative status with the Council of Europe.