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Gays arrested in Mexico |
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México D.F., NotieSe.-The arrests of three gay couples were reported in the Mexican capital, events in which, according to NotieSe “social and institutional homophobia was the common denominator, the ambiguous and prejudiced reading of the law was the caused of the violation of human rights for those gay citizens.” A woman who saw them holding hands and kissing in public reported Jose, 21 and Ross, a 22-year-old Canadian citizen. The event happened on April 15, while they were sitting at a bench at the “Paseo Reforma”, around the “Pink Zone”. During an interview with NotieSe, Jose stated, “ We were talking as we held hands, and sometimes Ross would caress my cheeks with his lips.” The young men were transferred in a patrol car from the Third Family Civil Court, where judge Barbara Samperio explained that they had violated an administrative law. Based on this she decided to convict them under Article VII, Section I, which states that “to perform isolated acts or expressions that go against personal dignity towards certain people” will be sanctioned. They had an option to pay the lowest fine, 45 Mexican Pesos, or be detained for 6 to 12 hours. The young couple chose the fine and put the matter to rest. Jose was afraid he would be “outed” to his family by the media. Ross said that he would have liked to take legal measures “since the rights of gays in Canada to express their feelings are protected by the law”, but he had to leave for Canada a couple of days after the incident and did not want leave Jose with this problem. Regarding this issue, Judge Samperio stated that any citizen who feels offended by seeing two people holding hands or kissing, can report them regardless of their sexual orientation, and the law must be applied as it happened in the case of Jose and Ross. She explained that she did not act in a discriminatory manner towards the young gays. / Back to top |
Other cases Two young men were arrested at a shopping center in Aragon, one of them blind who was touching his companion's face with his hand. They were held under the argument of “moral offense”. Blackmail attempts against the two men failed because the men knew their rights and they asked for an explanation. The case was reported in the gay program “Triple G”. Charges have not been filed against the uniformed police as of yet. Another case occurred in the streets of Historic Downtown in Mexico City, where Alonzo Hernandez (a known gay activist) and his partner were walking hand in hand. In a surprising move Bank Police officers “searched” them because of their supposed “police operative” and detained them. The men asked to be taken to the station to clear the matter, but the bank police declined to do so. Hernandez and his partner reported the case to the competent authorities and the case is currently under review. |
Costa Rica Archbishop censors gay congress |
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San José de Costa Rica, La Nación newspaper .-The archbishop of San José, Monsignor Román Arrieta Villalobos, censored a homosexual festival that was to take place at the end of this month in Cartago. The Second Lesbi/Gay 98 Festival in Costa Rica, scheduled to take place in Quepos was the main topic of discussion during the 363rd anniversary of the Virgin's celebration. Arrieta Villalobos stated, “I fervently wish to find legal ways and means to stop this celebration and that our town, the brave men as well as women that we have, show in a dignify and civilized way their overwhelming rejection to the festival.” Leader Miguel Angel Rodriguez, Criminal Court president Edgar Cervantes, and various ministers, representatives and executive presidents among others, were present during the religious celebration. |
The arguments
However, he expressed the “deepest respect” the homosexuals deserve and expressed his will to help them, “in the same manner as any other human being”, but he clarified “it is another thing to accept their behavior, directly opposite of what the Creator laid down.” In this regards, Pink Triangle Association, the homosexual organization that supports this event, reported that the festival will not be held in Quespos but will be held at a secret location. / Back to top |
The Archbishop based his opposition to the festival by highlighting that it is a very bad example to the youth, it contradicts the customs of the town and offends ethical and religions feelings of the majority of Costa Ricans. Brazil Without Homophobia Plan” launched
The Special Secretariat on Human Rights and its minister, Nilmario Miranda, manage the plan. The campaign, which doesn't rule out placing media ads, seeks to educate and raise awareness about the rights of homosexuals, lesbians, bisexuals and transvestites in different sectors, from schools and the police to doctors and managers. Long term, the campaign hopes to stop discrimination and violence against homosexuals in this South American country, stated Ivair Augusto, Executive Secretary for the National Advisor to Fight Discrimination, which is under the leadership of Minister Miranda. The civil servant explained that the plan joins the Education, Health and Justice Ministries as well as the Human Rights Secretariat. He said that data complied by gay groups since 1963 to 2001 shows at least 2,100 deaths of men and women due to discrimination, many of them caused by police officers. On a side note, gay groups estimate that homosexuals and lesbians represent 6 percent of the 178 million Brazilian population. Toni Rais, General Secretary for the Brazilian Gays, Lesbians and Transsexuals Association stated, “this is the most important step taken to guarantee rights in their entirety to gays as citizens.” /Back to top |
Brazilia, GLAAD - In trying to reduce discrimination, the Brazilian government in May launched a plan called, Brazil Without Homophobia, a vast and ambitious campaign that still doesn't have economic resources. Honduras
San Pedro Sula -The head of a 19-year-old woman identified by her father as being Denia Elizabeth Vasquez was found in recent days in the sector of the colony Perfecto Vazquez. As of yet, the body of the women has not been found. The victim, who used to make a living as a sexual worker, disappeared Friday April 23, and according to investigations by the General Direction of Criminal Investigations, DGCI, initials in Spanish, the woman had left her place of employment that day accompanied by a client who has not been identified. The woman lived in the Islas del Progreso colony and was identified by the false teeth she used. The Dental department ran tests in her inferior maxillary and determined they were dealing with a woman. This after rumors spread about the head belonging to a gay man. The authorities have not yet captured those responsible for this murder. / Back to top |
Prostitute's head is found in Honduras