Noticias

During the meeting , theoretical and practical tools for youth empowerment were provided, with emphasis on the implications of the HIV in the lives of LGBT youth . "In Paraguay , over 60 % of the population is under 35 years, which means that most Paraguayans aare from the group of teenagers, youth and young adults," said Youth Coordinator of SOMOSGAY, Adolfo Ruíz. The main objective of the meeting is to enable , empower and strengthen the knowledge and skills of young LGBT people, especially given the degree of vulnerability to which they are exposed to HIV and its risks . "This is mainly because young people in Paraguay are not considered as subjects of law, and even less when talking about lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans" also said Sergio Lopez, General Director of SOMOSGAY during the opening of the meeting.
The development of the meeting was attended by experts on sexual health issues, LGBT activism, national legislation, among others. During the first day, a workshop on Gender and Sexuality was conducted by the Social Worker Beatriz Romero, an official of the Municipal Polyclinic in the Area of Sexual and Reproductive Health. The lawyer Emilia Yugovich also conducted a talk on the "Yogyakarta Principles" in Paraguay, dealing with the implementation of the International Human Rights Law in relation to sexual orientation and gender identity.
Dr. Margarita Villafane, Focal Point for HIV to PAHO/WHO in Paraguay also participated in the second day of the meeting, developing a panel on HIV in Paraguay, followed by Dr. Ivan Allende, who delivered a workshop on Sexually Transmitted Infections and self-care.
Simon Cazal founder of SOMOSGAY did a panel-discussion on the LGBT movement, their demands and next steps in Paraguay, considering the importance of the occasion and to empower LGBT youth who will be the agents of change following the future of the movement and the causes he advocates.
On the final day of the meeting, Ms. Clyde Soto gave a talk on Sexual and Reproductive Rights, and talked about how these rights are directly linked to the demands of the LGBT movement from its beginnings to today.
The final meeting resulted in the formation of DIVERSA, the "Young National Network for Human Rights work against HIV," to help overcome the lack of knowledge about HIV, and a cross-cutting integration, overcoming physical distance and cultural barriers.
SOMOSGAY stresses the importance of involving young people, so they can replicate what they learned in their communities and emerge stronger and strengthened in the task of achieving a more tolerant and equal society for everyone.
Read the Asuncion Declaration here: http://bit.ly/15ScUnZ