Mario Ferrerio, one of the most beloved and emblematic persons in the paraguayan television, congratulated the initiative from SOMOSGAY to focus this campaign against homophobia in a fundamental space such as the family calling it human, positive and natural. He shares his ideas regarding the importance of involving more allies in the fight against homophobia. In an open dialogue, he shares with us his opinion on the cultural identity that still sustains the profound discrimination in Paraguay. He also reflects on the challenges to better the a tribulation of the citizens in spaces that are affected by power struggles in all levels. "They took Lugo out of the closet" he expresses in terms of the crisis confronted by the president to take upon his fatherhood, analyzing as well the posture adopted by the president due to his ecclesiastical formation, just as the profound cultural roots in this case in our country. He affirmed in this exclusive interview, the key moment in the transformation in Paraguay, the risk to step back and that this affects all of the "minorities" in our country.

Mario Ferreiro, said that "the campaign I AM GAY! MY FAMILY LOVES ME AS I AM'' is very positive

Mario-Ferreiro-said-that-the-campaign-I-AM-GAY-MY-FAMILY-LOVES-ME-AS-I-AM-is-very-positive

The campaigns&rsquo; advertising activities will include a set of talks and workshops directed towards teenagers, their relatives and social circles. The workshops will be done in several places on the country, starting in Asuncion and the Central Department. The first talk will be next week and will be about Homosexaulity and Youth Policy as a first activity of the campaign. This activity will be open to the general public. In the event the Vice-Minister of Youth, Karina Rodriguez, stressed the importance of this activity for the institution and the society as a whole, taking into consideration the positive impact that the campaign will have on the very base of the society: the family. And so it begins, the first initiative if this type in our country, SOMOSGAY expects this activity to act to reformulate better models of human development in our society, presenting relations that act with more solidarity and less violence. The campaign denominated &ldquo;I AM GAY! MY FAMILY LOVES ME THE WAY I AM!&rdquo; is aimed to offer scientific information to families of gays and lesbians, contributing to their awareness in regards to homophobia that affect their children. With this campaign, SOMOSGAY pretends to contribute to transformation of the paraguayan society towards one that recognizes its diversity as one of its major strengths. It is the first time that homophobia is confronted in the Paraguayan family. With this innovative campaign. SOMOSGAY presents itself as a new organization committed with the eradication of Homophobia in Paraguay and the constant innovation of its strategies to tackle it. To watch the interview of the agreement (ABC newspaper):<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3kdx-kpMS1g" title="Click Here!" target="_blank"> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3kdx-kpMS1g</a>

SOMOSGAY and the Vice-Minister of Paraguayan Youth launch campaign against homophobia

SOMOSGAY-and-the-ViceMinister-of-Paraguayan-Youth-launch-campaign-against-homophobia

The members of SOMOSGAY met this past saturday, may 23rd at the Salon Directorio of the Excelsior Hotel. This meeting was carried out in order to constitute the Initial Assembly in which thirty eight people took part of the new association. The formation of SOMOSGAY is supported also by 675 citizens from around the country that expressed their support to the management of Simon Cazal as a leader in the paraguayan LGBT movement. During the aforementioned meeting, statuses and aims were approved for the new organization. Its purpose is to defend and promote the freedom of sexual orientation,and specifically, the rights of sexual orientation freedom to gays, lesbians, transgenders and bisexuals. The organization is also committed to collaborate in the response to the HIV pandemic, AIDS and other STI (Sexually Transmitted Infections), and work in the defense of the rights of people living with HIV/AIDS. In order to reach these aims, the organization is committed to organize the greatest number of people possible regardless of their gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, believes, philosophical or political convictions, social condition, age, profession or any other reason in terms of their activities. Therefore making a difference with other similar initiatives. May it be clear the commitment with the community for a human team with extensive experience, that seeks to contribute to the constant innovation of the communication of SOMOSGAY in the paraguayan society.

SOMOSGAY constituted its Initial Assembly

SOMOSGAY-constituted-its-Initial-Assembly

Simon Cazal is interviewed by the newspaper &ldquo;En Positivo&rdquo;, as paraguayan referent to the MERCOSUR&rsquo;s LGBT Network. In this note Simon Cazal brings a summary of the main topics and conclusions of the third meeting of the MERCOSUR&rsquo;s LGBT Network, that took place in Asuncion for the first time on November of 2008. In addition to Paraguay, countries that also participated include Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile and Uruguay. the activist said that the main points of reflection of the movement were focused on the need to strengthen citizen action campaigns, specifically those from LGBT communities, in regards to the defense of human rights. &ldquo;Organizations must strengthen their community work through a more effective communication&rdquo; mentioned Cazal, in time to reflect on the challenges that this process involves. &ldquo;We must improve our insertion in community activities. As of today, it is more important to rethink on the management of power in the organised groups that exist, the violent breaks that LGBT groups face and the complex challenges that we have in the region. All of these summon us to a profound revision and a constant dialogue&rdquo; expressed the activist. &ldquo;It will be our priority from the executive board to launch health related and educational programs that will provide the tools to work the rights of every person&rdquo; ended Cazal.

"En Positivo", the newspaper, interviewed Simón Cazal as paraguayan referent for the LGBT Movement

En-Positivo-the-newspaper-interviewed-Simn-Cazal-as-paraguayan-referent-for-the-LGBT-Movement

It is the first time that homophobia is confronted in the paraguayan family. With this campaign, SOMOSGAY presents itself as an organization committed to the eradication of homophobia in Paraguay and with the constant innovation of its strategies. The family is considered as the base for societies, since it is the very first environment of socialization, the place where we learn about our culture, customs y social tights. The support of our families is very important in the different aspects of our lives, during the difficult times of our adolescence and youth. In the case of young gays and lesbians, the support of our families will he'll them overcome and fight Homophobia which is still very strong in our society. This campaign presents a new paradigm more inclusive to families, enhancing the importance of love of parents to their gay sons and lesbian daughters. The way in which parents or tutors respond to the sexual orientation of young adults strongly influences in the mental health of the child as in the adult's. Parents love their children and want the best for them. Thanks to myriad of studies, nowadays they are able to see that negative attitudes towards their sexual orientation expose young people to high risk and others promote their wellbeing. Parents that take action to respond to their children with equanimity instead of rejection can improve dramatically the mental health of young gays, lesbians and heterosexuals. The ban of adolescents to interact with their gay peers, is as damaging as being physically beaten or insulted by their parents. Some practices as blaming a young person by being intimidated at school, separating him or her from other relatives or devalue his or her appearance to adjust them to social expectations, are considered forms of homophobic rejections. Therefore, such practices must be avoided taking into consideration of young people. All in all, love coming from family, can change in radically the life of young gays and lesbians, giving society a more tolerant and inclusive shift.

Noticias

Mario Ferreiro, said that "the campaign I AM GAY! MY FAMILY LOVES ME AS I AM'' is very positive

29 may 2009

SOMOSGAY and the Vice-Minister of Paraguayan Youth launch campaign against homophobia

28 may 2009

SOMOSGAY constituted its Initial Assembly

26 may 2009

"En Positivo", the newspaper, interviewed Simón Cazal as paraguayan referent for the LGBT Movement

25 may 2009

SOMOSGAY launches innovative campaign "I AM GAY! MY FAMILY LOVES ME THE WAY I AM!''

18 may 2009