Noticias

SOMOSGAY marks with this event it's commitment to help the media, journalists y people related to media in their job as opinion generators. Part of the event was broadcasted by the National Radio of Paraguay, covered by Canal 13, a national Television channel.
The speakers shared with their attendees their own reflections this matter:
German Martinez Vierci, mentioned that discrimination is not the same as it was before. He said that it is difficult to find open demonstrations of homophobia in the media or from journalists. He later mentioned that the Paraguayan society will accept same sex marriage without problems as of today, but that adoption is still a challenge. He stressed the fact that our society is beginning to change and that this shift started in the last ten years, and that this period is quite short.
The Director of the National Radio, Judith Maria Vera, commented that the process of transformation from this official radio station to a public radio station, open to the community that will help to strengthen the democracy from the information, offering SOMOSGAY the opportunity to occupy space in the air. He also said that'd there is a need to generate new spaces for the discussion on a common ethic for communicators and the media, saying that this sort of events and spaces are key for reflection.
Enrique Vargas Peña mentioned that the LGBT "fights" work as liberalizing elements in the society, stressing that freedom is key for the construction of a more democratic society. "It can attributed to the monotheistic religions the creation of a cultural matrix of discrimination that exists as of today. We owe ours to the catholic religion. Society in general does not gain anything from discrimination. Only religions insist in discrimination to validate their speeches."
He also expressed that Homophobia takes new from that is less striking in the supposed protection towards the moral and the good customs. "One has to be careful with what he or she cares. Instructing kid into discrimination is very common in this speech." "By suppressing the public display of affection between same gender people, the only thing that is being favored is the reinforcement to double standards and the habit of lying and hypocrisy I built." He added.
Daniela Candia referred to the fact that in several occasions topics relevant to LGBT people have been ignored. He recalled the famous case of the 108 and one burned people, which was not included in the final report by the Truth and Justice Commissioner and that none of the media took part in by making echo of the claims presented on the event. He then reflected on the conditioning that many times the commerce imposes on the news or facts that can be reported. He stressed the need from the journalist and workers in the media to have guides or materials that help them treat in a more respectful manner on the whole LGBT matter.
The participation of the attendees was very active, due to the massive participation, the time of the event was extended to two hours in total.
At the end of the event it was clear the necessity to continue this type of spaces. The presenters thanked the opportunity given by SOMOSGAY. These presenters also committed themselves to participate if such event took place ever again.