Date: Thu, 16 Mar 1995 15:53:22 +0100 (NFT) From: Bj|rn Skolander RFSL Conference 1995 March 17-19 Source: Reporter 1995/3 This wekend 17-19 March more than 100 delegates from 25+ local and regional RFSL branches are gathering in Uppsala for the annual RFSL-conference (RFSL = The Swedish Federation for Gay and Lesbian Rights). The conference will be discussing 11 motions from the regional branches and the governing body of the federation. It will also be electing a new chairman/woman. A proposal to say no to a criminalization of prostitution in Sweden is thought to become one of the hottest questions at the conference. A govermental committee has earlier this week proposed that all selling and buying of sexual services (prostitution) should be criminalized. A conclusion, which the minister of social affairs does not support. The RFSL board, which has put forward this proposal is saying that "Neither police, prosecutors, social authorities, politicians nor mass media have the knowledge which is a prerequisite to distinguish the difference between gay prostitution and sexual meetings where no money is involved." The board is also suggesting that a criminalization of prostitution may involve an increase of blackmail. Another proposal is suggesting that RFSL should recommend non-christian RFSL-members to leave The Swedish State Church. The proposal is a reaction to the anti-gay attitude of the Church lately. The RFSL board is not supporting this proposal. It suggests that individual RFSL-members should make their own decisions regarding religious issues. One proposal want to change the definition of refugees to give homosexuals, who are persecuted in their home countries, the right to stay in Sweden. The importance of this proposal is illustrated by the recent RFSL-request on this list for support for two gay refugees from Iran and Algeria, who have been denied residence permit by the Swedish Immigration Board, in spite of obvious risks for their lives in their own countries. Another proposal is suggesting support for gay and lesbian studies. According to this prosal there is a need for a Queer department at one of the Scandinavian universities. One important question will also be the election of a new chairperson of the federation. The sitting chairman, Tobias Wikstroem, is leaving this position after 4 years. He will now be continueing his studies in journalism. The most important achievement during this four years is that Sweden finally as the third Scandinavian country got a partnership law. As new chairman Hakan Andersson is proposed. He is an out Stockholm politician as well as a gay father. He is well known from several debate articles on a number of gay and and lesbian issues in the natioanl Swedish press. 1994 has been a busy year for RFSL. 35 debate articles where written, 14 press releases were distributed, 2 debates were organized, 16 brochures were produced. RFSL staff and members have participated in 23 radio and television programmes. The proposed activities and goals for 1995 include: - The right to marriage - Equal rights for heterosexual and same-sex domestic partners - Equal rights regarding insemination, adoption and joint custody of children /Bjorn