Noticias

On Monday, May 18, outside the Paraguayan National Congress, SOMOSGAY and the Paraguayan LGBT Federation held the sixth edition of the Besatón (Kiss-In), in order to gain visibility for the LGBT community, in addition to urge local authorities on passing laws to protect people from homophobia and discrimination.

The event began around noon, with the presence of activists, LGBT and straight couples, partners and other allies, with extensive media coverage. The theme for this year was "Kisses for Rights”. To enlist the support of people from different parts of the country, SOMOSGAY also launched a campaign through social networks, encouraging allies to share a selfie-kiss using the hashtag #MismoAmor (#SameLove).

"We join this global initiative seeking to demystify homosexuality as a disease. We, gay and lesbian couples, are part of society and have the same rights as heterosexual couples. SOMOSGAY claims equality and claims the love and the right to love and be loved, without discrimination" said Juan Sebastian Cabral, a spokesman for the organization in an interview for the digital portal Ejempla.

Congresswoman Karina Rodríguez attended the event, in demonstration of her constant support for the LGBT community. “Structural changes in a conservative society like Paraguay should be made with visibility", mentioned Rodríguez in a press declaration, while agreeing on the urgency to formulate, from the grassroots, laws and public policies to protect the so-called "minorities", recalling that Paraguay is one of the two countries in the region that does not have a law against discrimination.

The International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia remembers the events occurred on May 17, 1990, when the World Health Organization (WHO) stopped considering homosexuality a disease. In 2014, the IDAHOT protests have been reported in 124 countries worldwide, generating more than 1,600 shares and the participation of more than 1,200 organizations, creating an unprecedented mobilization in social networks and the media, establishing the IDAHOT as one of the most important dates for the LGBT communities worldwide.