Date: Fri, 26 Apr 1996 00:27:08 GMT From: ILGA-Portugal Subject: Action for Portugal After more than a years hard work, last Thursday, April 18th, ILGA-Portugal was legalized as the first LesBiGay organization in Portugal. This event was widely covered by the national media, providing good publicity to our organization. We continue our contacts with members of parliament to get the constitution changed. The revision of the constitution is due later this year and ILGA-Portugal has proposed changes to article 13 which lays out the criteria by which one may not be disciminated (race, religious beliefs, sex, social status, poltical convictions, etc.). The inclusion of the term sexual orientation in article 13 will have reprecussions on all the other ordinary laws. After 3 months of some sucessful meetings with high figures of Parliament, we have started to get some skepticism from members of the Commission of Constitutional Revision. They argue that changing article 13 in the manner we suggest will force Parliament to change all the legislation regarding homosexuality. There are three cases where Portuguese Law clearly discriminates Homosexuals: - Age of Consent (Homosexual - 16, heterosexual - 14) - Homosexual practices with under 16 year olds is punishable with prison - Homosexual couples are not recognized by portuguese law ILGA-Portugal fears no significant change will come about, and hence we turn abroad. We appeal to all those who believe in our cause to send a letter to the President of the Commission for Constitutional Revision, calling for an ample debate on the matter and include the term Sexual Orientation in Article 13 of the Constitution. We kindly ask we be sent a copy of your letter. Exmo. Sr. Presidente da Comissao Eventual para a Revisao Constitucional Assembleia da Republica Sao Bento 1200 - Lisboa Portugal ILGA-Portugal Apartado 21281 1131 Lisboa Codex Portugal I would also like to take this opportunity to say that our Pride Day is postponed from June 28th to September 21st. Thank you. Goncalo Diniz Chair ILGA-Portugal ****************************************************************************** * 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! * ******************************************************************************