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From: James Binder <jbinder@igc.org>
Subject: IGLHRC Romania Press Release



/* Written  8:08 pm  Apr  9, 1992 by jbinder in cdp:queerplanet */
/* ---------- "IGLHRC Romania Press Release" ---------- */

Urgent Press Release                        April 6, 1992 from the
International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission

FIRST ROMANIAN GAY GROUP FORMED IN BUCHAREST

	On March 11, 1992, the first gay and lesbian organization
	in Romania was granted official recognition.  The
	organization's name is "Total Relations", and has a
	membership of over 50 men and women in a country that has
	been considered among the most hostile to homosexuality in
	eastern Europe.  While neighboring countries such as
	Hungary, Czechoslovakia, Poland, and Russia have had
	visibly active gay and lesbian movements since the
	mid-1980's, no gay and lesbian group had been known to
	exist in Romania until now.

Some Facts about Romania:
%       The last country in all of Europe to maintain laws
	criminalizing consensual same-gender relations for both
	men and women (Articles 200 and 201).
%       Many gay men and women are held in mental hospitals
	because of their homosexuality.
%       Gay men and bisexuals are fearful of testing for the HIV
virus   because of the laws against homosexuality and the forced
	disclosure of the names of their partners.
%       The gay movement existed only as an underground network of
	individuals until March 11, 1992.

	"This is a courageous step by the gay and lesbian
	activists in Bucharest," responded Adrian Newell-Paun,
	Romanian Desk Coordinator of the International Gay and
	Lesbian Human Rights Commission (IGLHRC).  "The visibility
	this move brings them will focus needed attention on the
	laws used to persecute gays and lesbians in Romania." "It
	is important that the international community recognizes
	us and supports us at this crucial time," said Razvan
	Teodorescu, President of "Total Relations".  "Total
	Relations" has formed to meet the needs of the gay and
	lesbian community in Romania.  They offer referral
	services, telephone counseling services, AIDS information,
	and an international pen-pal club.  They are gathering
	strength to eventually mount a battle for their civil
	rights as gays and lesbians, and fight for the repeal of
	the articles criminalizing homosexual relations.  A
	Romanian Outreach Mission has been jointly developed by
	IGLHRC and the International Lesbian and Gay Association
	(ILGA) based in Europe to take place in May, 1992.
	"Total Relations" and IGLHRC are currently organizing the
	first public event by a gay group in Romania, Bucharest's
	participation in the International AIDS Candlelight
	Memorial and Mobilization on May 17th.
For more information, contact:   Adrian Newell Paun or Russ Gage
at the IGLHRC  (415) 255-8680.