Noticias

On the occasion of Pope Francis’ visit to Paraguay, from 10-12 of July, SOMOSGAY launched a campaign inviting the Catholic Church to respect LGBT people, highlighting the official speeches that the Pope has given a couple of years ago.

With the quote "If they accept the Lord and have goodwill, who am I to judge?", the campaign highlights the “gesture” of Pope Francis towards LGBT people, especially considering the ultraconservative context that has characterized the Vatican at the time of his predecessors.

The campaign was launched on social networks and billboards located in strategic places and routes that Pope Francis will visit in Paraguay. During the same week, the National Police announced that signs with messages concerning the legalization of abortion and the rights of LGBT people would be prohibited.

"It is a symbolic step, but very important. It can help change hearts and bring people to the movement. Mainly, it helps to dispel the false duality between being religious and supporting human rights and LGBT people. Both things can be done without prejudice and these actions help to add support of the people to fight against discrimination and homophobia" says Simon Cazal, co-founder and Executive Director of SOMOSGAY.

SOMOSGAY hopes that this gesture will help religious communities to embrace their LGBT members and respect our dignity. You can be gay, lesbian or trans and a Catholic at a time; there is no contradiction between being an LGBT person and being Catholic. Respect for personal beliefs is inherent to democracy.