Noticias

Throughout 2014, SOMOSGAY conducted campaigns, events, workshops, panels and debates that were promoted through media  and social networks, achieving a range of over 800,000 people across Paraguay only.

In the months of March and September, the training for Community Agents on Human Rights and Health was again conducted for over 80 young volunteers. Throughout the year, the Men’s Wellness Center performed more than 6.000 rapid HIV tests and distributed over 30.000 information materials. In addition, the Kuimba'e Clinic provided medical and psychological services, attention and care to more than 1000 people around 2014.

In March, Gary Galván, representing SOMOSGAY and the Paraguayan LGBT Federation, participated in the hearing on Public Policies for the Protection of Human Rights of LGBTI Children and Adolescents in Paraguay, in the framework of the hearing sessions of the Inter-American Commision on Human Rights in Washington DC. This allowed the organization to leave precedent that allowed SOMOSGAY to be included in the Main Register of NGOs working on issues affecting Children and Adolescents of Paraguay, under Resolution 644/2014.

The Plaza de Armas square, in front of the National Parliament, was the scene of the 2014 edition of the Kiss-In, organized to mark the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia (IDAHOT) in May. Also, jointly by SOMOSGAY, LESVOS and All Out, a strong social media campaign was developed to urge Paraguay to accompany the statement from Brazil on "Human Rights, Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity" at the OAS General Assembly. This change of position came after a brutal crackdown by the National Police towards LGBT activists. Under these facts, SOMOSGAY launched the First Paraguayan LGBT Manual in the National Congress, with the presence of Deputies Victor Rios and Rocío Casco.

On June 28, the streets of Asunción were colored with rainbow flags to celebrate a new revolution of love in front of the National Pantheon with the traditional LGBT Pride Parade. In addition, Simon Cazal participated in the 20th International AIDS Conference, held in July in Melbourne, Australia. In August, the organization was subjected to an institutional evaluation to monitor the quality of its work through a tool called Evaluation System for Organizational Development. The score assigned to SOMOSGAY was of 5.00, reflecting an excellent organizational structure and transparent management.

At the headquarters of the LGBT Community Center, several cultural activities were conducted, as well as trainings, public debates and concerts, plus the LGBT Film Festival, with support of the National Secretariat of Culture. To celebrate the he first anniversary of LESVOS, on September 13th, SOMOSGAY co-organized the first edition of  the Rainbow Festival.

The Meeting of Parents and Friends of LGBT people, plus the start of the historical Paraguayan LGBT Congress was organized by SOMOSGAY in the city of Caacupé in November. These activities brought together more than 100 activists from across the country to begin what would become a series of departmental and municipal conferences.

In addition, Simon Cazal attended the 35th PCB Meeting in Geneva, Switzerland, organized by UNAIDS. As part of this major meeting, and as a result of ongoing work made by global HIV activists; UNAIDS Executive Director, Michel Sidibé, pledged efforts to raise the entire investment budget on HIV for NGOs, in order to accelerate the next phase of the global response to HIV.

Overlooking a 2015 with innovative projects and activities, and with the support of the AIDS Healthcare Foundation, amfAR, the European Union and Fundacion Triangulo, SOMOSGAY closes a successful year for the LGBT movement. We hope to join more efforts in this collective fight that seeks that homophobia, sexism, inequality and violence remain in the past, working day-to-day to build a solidary Paraguayan society free from discrimination and with equal rights for everyone.