Date: Thu, 6 Aug 1998 12:44:07 -0700 (PDT) From: Ron Buckmire Subject: puerto rico From: Andres Duque To: "'Mano a Mano E-Mail Network'" Subject: [Mano a Mano News] Puerto Rican LGBT community vs. Sodomy Laws Date: Wed, 5 Aug 1998 17:16:54 -0400 Decriminalization of homosexuality in Puerto Rico Several gay, lesbian, bisexual and transexual organizations in Puerto Rico, together with other associations have created the Coalition Against Article 103 and Pro Right to Intimacy . This coalition aims to abolish the article of the Penal Code that criminalizes same-sex consensual sexual relations. Therefore they ask for international support from organizations and people in order to send letters demanding the repeal of discritimating laws. The present Penal Code, dating from 1974, in the first paragraph of article 103 establishes: "Whoever has sexual intercourse with another person of the same sex or commits the crime against nature with a human being shall be punished with ten years of prison. If there are increasing circumstances, the penalty could be risen up to a maximum of twelve years; if there are extenuating circumstances, it could be reduced down to a minimum of six years". In the second paragraph of Article 103 the same behaviour is punished with heavier penalties when it is performed in circumstances similar to rape. The coalition has submitted a draft for the amendment of the Sodomy Law in order to decriminalize consensual homosexual relations between adults. Moreover, Margarita Sanchez, representative of the National Ecumenical Movement of Puerto Rico (MENPRI) has accused herself of having homosexual relations. However she has not been prosecuted since, according to the attorney's interpretation, there are no 'victims' of the act and article 103 excludes women. The work of the coalition has been supported by part of the society of Puerto Rico, by the media and by some legislators. We suggest sending the following text (for a Spanish version just click here;) (or a similar one) to the local authorities: ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Senador Charlie Rodriguez, Presidenteof Puertos Rico's Senate El Capitolio San Juan Puerto Rico 00901 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Edison Misla Aldarondo President of Puerto Rico's House of Representatives El Capitolio San Juan Puerto Rico 00901 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Jorge Santini President of the Juridical and Penal Commission Senate El Capitolio San Juan Puerto Rico 00901 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Augusto Sanchez Fuentes President of the Juridical and Penal Commission House of Representatives El Capitolio Apartado 9022228 San Juan Puerto Rico 00902-2228 Fax: 721-6783 If you send letters, please let COALICION CONTRA El ARTICULO 103 Y PRO DERECHO A LA INTIMIDAD PO Box 9021003 Viejo San Juan PR 00902-1003 Puerto Rico Tel : (787) 787-7274 Fax : (787) 787-7686 E-Mail: aaardin@coqui.net know about it...and also us, FUNDACION TRIANGULO C/Eloy Gonzalo 25, 1 Ext. Dcha. E-28010-Madrid Tel/Fax: +34 (9) 1 593 05 40 E-Mail: triangulo@mx2.redestb.es ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Dear sir, I am writing this letter in order to show you my concern about discrimination against gays and lesbians in your country. As you know consented homosexual relationships between adults are punished by Puerto Rico's Penal Code with 10 years of prison. Only similar penalties are to be found in Spanish America in Chile and Nicaragua. Ecuador's Constitutional Court has recently abolished a similar article. Article 103 means a restriction to the right to intimacy and to liberty of expression, against the American Human Rights Covenant (articles 11 and 13). Furthermore the NU Human Rights Committee has determined that penalization of homosexual relationships between consenting adults is against article 2 (equal protection) and 17 (right to intimacy) of the International Covenant for Political and Civil Rights. Therefore I would like to urge you to take very measure that is in yours hands in order to abolish every restriction to the rights of sexual minorities from Puerto Rico's legislation. Yours faithfully, ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Campaign suggested by Coalicion Contra el Articulo 103 y Pro Derecho a la Intimidad , Fundacion Triangulo and IGLHRC. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Fundacion Triangulo cleston@lander.es ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------------------------ DISCLAIMER: If you receive this information it is because you are part of the Mano a Mano e-mail Network. It does not imply that you endorse or support any of attached information unless otherwise specified. If you want your e-mail to be removed from this list for any reason please let me know by responding to this e-mail. Likewise if you know anyone who would like to be added to this list please let me know. NOTA: Si usted ha recibido este mensaje es porque usted es parte de la red de e-mail de Mano a Mano. Su afiliacion a esta lista no indica que usted apoye o no apoye alguna de esta informacion a menos que asi lo sea indicado. Si usted quiere que su e-mail sea retirado de esta lista por favor dejenmelo saber. De la misma manera, si usted conoce a personas a las que le gustaria recibir este tipo de informacion por gfavor haganmelo saber. Andres Duque (212) 675-3288 Ext. 212 ****************************************************************************** * To subscribe to QUEERPLANET, send mail to: majordomo@abacus.oxy.edu * * In the mail message, enter ONLY the words: subscribe queerplanet * * To unsubscribe to QUEERPLANET, send mail to: majordomo@abacus.oxy.edu * * In the mail message, enter ONLY the words: unsubscribe queerplanet * * Words in the Subject: line are NOT processed! * ******************************************************************************