"There has been significant progress in some Latin American countries but not all countries have progressed in the same way. While in some totally specific services are contemplated for some populations, in others such services are invisible or have not been developed as much as necessary. Specifically I'm talking about people who can not access health because there are no timetables or conditions appropriate for them. I'm thinking for example of men who have sex with men, sex workers, transgender individuals facing health services that often have a feature of homophobia or transphobia and are not friendly with them. Far from attracting these populations, they repel them," says the official. &nbsp; The indicators of the report "Situation of human rights of gay men, bisexuals and other Latino MSM: progress and challenges" are positive, although much remains to be done. "The dream is not having a health center specific to transgender people but that any transgender person can go to the nearest health center and receive services in a friendly and affordable manner and tailored to his or her needs. That would be the ideal: to expand and provide full access to services to anyone, regardless of their identity, orientation or appearance. "

<h4 style="text-align: justify;">90-90-90 goals</h4>
In 2014, the First Latin American and Caribbean Forum on HIV Care Continuum established a series of goals for 2020, which are: - Increase by 90% people who know their diagnosis of HIV - Increase by 90% the number of people on antiretroviral therapy - Increase by 90% the number of people with undetectable viral load &nbsp; "We from UNAIDS aspire to eliminate AIDS as a core or priority in global public health issue by 2030," said Arellano. The spokesman for the program recognizes that it is not possible to completely eradicate the presence of HIV, but that with an increased investment in public health it is possible to decrease greatly its impact and follow the example of countries like Canada, that due to low demand, closed care services on AIDS. This surprising phenomenon for the official was done in that country through successful public initiatives oin the detection and treatment of HIV / AIDS. &nbsp; "These are aspirational goals because they invite countries to achieve them and therefore are not binding. If countries do not achieve them there isn&rsquo;t a penalty. They are simply an aspirational target and the intention is to push, prop up the effort to reach this ideal of an AIDS-free generation However, advances in Latin America were done in a very unevenly manner, with some countries closer to achieving these goals in the future than others.&rdquo;

<h4 style="text-align: justify;">Access to health and sexual rights</h4>
According to Javier Arellano, the problem is not lack of health services per se but access to them and above all, political will. The latter is vital and is achieved with the drive and the insistence of organized civil society, he says. &nbsp; When inquired about the strong conservative influence that threatens the fulfillment of these initiatives at an international level, the spokesman said that an effective way organized citizens can count on is pointing and emphasizing the instruments already signed by the country. "One example is the Montevideo Consensus (http://bit.ly/1z2uIqM) that many countries have ratified. This consensus includes many themes: interculturality, African descents, population aging, among others. Again, it is a very large instrument. The ones I like are the sexual and reproductive health which also include youth centrally. The document outlines very well what the challenges and aspirations regarding sexual and reproductive health issues are. Instruments such as the Montevideo Consensus give us a very clear pattern, a horizon of what steps are next. It is true that in some countries there is greater resistance to sexual and reproductive health issues, but it is also true that many of these countries have ratified these instruments," he says. &nbsp; These documents allow citizens to undertake what is known as advocacy, that is to organize politically to achieve a specific social objective. The signing of these instruments or consensus compromise countries and are means from which citizens can participate politically and create pressure on governments to fulfill what was signed at country level. According to Arellano, progress comes from three areas that must work in synergy: civil society, political will and international cooperation. &nbsp; In Paraguay, a country that just allocates $ 242 per capita on public health, compared to USD 1,442 invested by Uruguay or USD 1,103 by Chile, it is necessary and imperative to combine these three factors: civil society, political will and international cooperation, and this combination must come from an organized society pushing for free and inclusive health services and the guarantee of human rights for all people without discrimination.

The dream of an inclusive public health

The-dream-of-an-inclusive-public-health

Still, -this was accentuated with the time- I had always felt uncomfortable with the whole image and culture of chauvinism (and homophobia) around football, which unfortunately is present and is seen as usual as part of the sport; at the expense of all the good values that we can learn from it, with the constant repetition of discriminatory actions that only sully the sport.
&nbsp; Football is one of the most representative and precious human creations. In countries like ours, it is also a social mirror. Football, in particular, equals any socio-economic difference, and shows the best and worst of us. &nbsp; Two very opposite realities fit into female and male football. While in the first, flags of equality and respect are hoisted proudly, with big players like Abby Wambach or Nadine Angerer being openly lesbian, without implying a problem for their successful careers as a world champion and best player in the world respectively; it is impossible to find, at least for now, correlatives in the same discipline in males. &nbsp; David Jones, English football player, wrote a column for The Observer where he encouraged his fellow gays to come out. He noted that this would even be a marketing victory for many clubs. The obstacle to overcome is the macho culture that finds -in an increasingly egalitarian world, against all odds- its last redoubt in the sport. Examples of the misogynist culture around football are: chants of fans, insults, even unfortunate statements of the protagonists that feed stereotypes and violent prejudices. Walls of language that continue to promote discrimination. &nbsp; There are more signs that the sport does not have to be like this: In Spain and other European countries, for example, clubs are joining in a visibility campaign which respects sexual diversity. In other disciplines, such as basketball, Jason Collins became the first player to come out, a courageous decision taking into account the context. &nbsp; Rio Olympics this year will be historic with changes in the regulations that allow trans athletes participate without surgery. Thus, the sport which has already been the scene of battles in pursuit of gender equality and against racism, being the case most recently sounded the request of wage equality between American male and female players-adds to the inevitable positive change in the world view regarding LGBT rights. &nbsp; Sport -and here specifically, my beloved football- can also become an agent of social change. For the thousands of LGBT athletes and for a healthier society. By showing the red card once and for all to homophobia and sexism in the grandstands and on the court. From this conviction, it is possible to generate initiatives in different spaces that promote a much more tolerant of diversity language and thought admitting and a change of vision in pursuit of mutual respect. &nbsp; However, the question remains:

<h4>How long will we wait before seeing the first football player in activity coming out?</h4>
&nbsp; The response and time depends on the joint commitment to create a much more friendly and supportive environment to facilitate it. And it means, ultimately, to tear down the last walls that remain.

The match against discrimination

The-match-against-discrimination

Before unleashing unwelcomed statements like Senator Desire&egrave; Masi, you need to understand why that what has been perpetrated in a popular nightspot among the LGBT community is no coincidence.
&nbsp; It is not another shooting of the many who have sadly shaken the US in the last times. Although they were all tragic, this particular one is not a terrorist act. It is a hate crime perpetrated by a person identified with ISIS - even though this is not yet entirely clarified whether there was a real connection between the attacker and the organization- and openly homophobic. These two facts are no coincidence: To identify with an organization that among other inhumane acts is the systematic execution of gay people, based on the doctrines of Islam, and the clear hostility against the LGBTI community of the person who perpetrated this attack.
&nbsp; But it is also no coincidence the denial of all logic when trying to ignore the link between the intolerant exacerbation and the targeted attack on our communities. Because to admit it is to also admit the impact of hate speech held by representatives of all faiths, not only resisted by the general public, but other revered as social trainers, such as catholics and evangelicals. It is impossible to disassociate homophobia from religious discourse.
&nbsp; Because while ISIS throw people from buildings, here Christian conservatives make common cause in the systematic denial of rights, or impunity in murders of trans women in Paraguay. Because in Russia people are jailed under propaganda terms because of expressing their affections, here the battle is on every corner just for holding hands.
&nbsp; Because accepting this fact condemns the almighty priests and pastors who every Sunday from their pulpits justify, naturalize and encourage conservative revanchism. The same conservative revanchism which many politicians employ for their own benefits. It's no coincidence.
&nbsp; There are Muslims and Christians who do not share the homophobic connotations of their holy scriptures, nobody denies this fact. That is not fair in the narrative struggle to put everybody in the same bag: the xenophobic discourse of some right and some left which claims to defend human rights here but shakes hands with the Ayatollah in Iran. But it is also unfair to postpone an urgent discussion about the scope of discrimination and their causes. We must not generalize or remain silent. It&rsquo;s no coincidence.
&nbsp;
The historic moment in which we live requires us, more than ever, to take to the streets. It shows us why we must stand in solidarity with our peers in the LGBT communities across the region through initiatives like GayLatino. This is why we need demonstrations of pride, hoisting rainbows flags of visibility towards those who stubbornly deny reality. This is why our resistance will be one vindicating love and joy without failing to point injustices.
&nbsp;
In this hour of mourning, the reason of our responses and our commitment to the future is neither a coincidence. It is the best tribute to the victims.

It is no coincidence: Reactions and responses to the slaughter of Orlando

It-is-no-coincidence-Reactions-and-responses-to-the-slaughter-of-Orlando

El presente Convenio Marco de Cooperaci&oacute;n Interinstitucional tiene por objeto el desarrollo de acciones en las &aacute;reas de capacitaci&oacute;n e informaci&oacute;n en temas de salud y prevenci&oacute;n, conductas responsables, equidad de g&eacute;nero, respeto a los derechos humanos en beneficio de la Instituci&oacute;n Municipal y de la ciudadan&iacute;a en general.
&nbsp;
Para la apertura del evento, Sim&oacute;n Cazal brind&oacute; las siguiente palabras: &ldquo;Quiero agradecer al intendente Mario Ferreiro por dar este paso hist&oacute;rico. Es la primera vez que la Ciudad de Asunci&oacute;n se compromete claramente en dar respuesta a una serie de problemas que toda la ciudadan&iacute;a de alguna u otra manera sufre en la ciudad. La firma de este convenio no es un acto que solamente beneficiar&aacute; a la Comunidad LGBT, es un primer paso hacia varias acciones que traer&aacute;n beneficios para todas las personas de Asunci&oacute;n y Gran Asunci&oacute;n.&rdquo;
&nbsp;
Con respecto al convenio, Mario Ferreiro mencion&oacute;: &ldquo;Particip&eacute; hace pocas semanas en La Paz, Bolivia, en una Asamblea Anual de la Uni&oacute;n de Ciudades Capitales de Iberoam&eacute;rica, estuve con los alcaldes de pr&aacute;cticamente toda Am&eacute;rica Latina y Am&eacute;rica Central, y me pareci&oacute; muy importante saber que ellos sostienen convenios de este tipo y han avanzado a acciones concretas muy interesantes para promocionar la no discriminaci&oacute;n como un eje transversal de trabajo en sus respectivos municipios.&rdquo;
&nbsp;
<img height="648" src="/uploads/convenio_interinstitucional_municipalidad_1.jpg" width="1440" />
&nbsp;
&ldquo;As&iacute; que hoy, m&aacute;s que firmar un convenio, hoy vengo a ratificar mi compromiso, con la libertad, con la democracia y con la tolerancia. Y m&aacute;s all&aacute; de lo que puedan decir me siento muy feliz de que me identifiquen como el primer intendente que suscribe un convenio de este tipo con una organizaci&oacute;n que con toda seriedad manifiesta la necesidad de una evoluci&oacute;n en el sentido de ser m&aacute;s humanos y m&aacute;s tolerantes&rdquo;, finaliz&oacute; el intendente de Asunci&oacute;n.
&nbsp;
Actualmente, la ciudad de Asunci&oacute;n y el Departamento Central son las regiones del pa&iacute;s que llevan la mayor cantidad de nuevas infecciones de VIH e ITS. Mediante este convenio, en el marco de la campa&ntilde;a global de ciudades contra el VIH, Asunci&oacute;n se sumar&iacute;a en breve a ciudades como Par&iacute;s, Montevideo, San Francisco, Buenos Aires, R&iacute;o y Santiago en firmar el compromiso de frenar el VIH antes del 2030.
&nbsp;
Estos compromisos se centran en acciones que buscan reducir la brecha de acceso al tratamiento y la prevenci&oacute;n del VIH a trav&eacute;s de la fijaci&oacute;n, a su vez, de nuevas metas para 2030. El objetivo 90-90-90: que consiste en conseguir que el 90% de las personas que viven con el VIH conozcan su estado serol&oacute;gico, que el 90% de las personas que lo conocen tengan acceso al tratamiento para el VIH, y que el 90% de las personas que lo tengan logren una represi&oacute;n viral efectiva.
&nbsp;
De esta forma, la Municipalidad de Asunci&oacute;n junto a SOMOSGAY como integrante de la sociedad civil, buscan enfrentar problemas sociales como la homofobia, el machismo y la discriminaci&oacute;n y formalizar una alianza de cooperaci&oacute;n para delimitar las tareas en todos los niveles, especialmente las relacionadas con las &aacute;reas que atienden los aspectos m&aacute;s vulnerables.

Se realiza histórica firma de Convenio entre la Municipalidad de Asunción y SOMOSGAY

Se-realiza-histrica-firma-de-Convenio-entre-la-Municipalidad-de-Asuncin-y-SOMOSGAY

Para la ocasi&oacute;n se llevar&aacute; a cabo una conferencia de prensa con la presencia del Intendente de Asunci&oacute;n Mario Ferreiro y Sim&oacute;n Cazal, director ejecutivo de SOMOSGAY. Ser&aacute; en la sede del Centro Comunitario LGBT ubicado en Independencia Nacional 1032 casi Manduvir&aacute; a partir de las 16:00 hs.

El presente Convenio Marco de Cooperaci&oacute;n Interinstitucional tiene por objeto el desarrollo de acciones en las &aacute;reas de capacitaci&oacute;n e informaci&oacute;n en temas de salud y prevenci&oacute;n, conductas responsables, equidad de g&eacute;nero, respeto a los derechos humanos en beneficio de la Instituci&oacute;n Municipal y de la ciudadan&iacute;a en general.

Actualmente, la ciudad de Asunci&oacute;n y el Departamento Central son las regiones del pa&iacute;s que llevan la mayor cantidad de nuevas infecciones de VIH e ITS. Mediante este convenio,<a href="http://www.elpais.com.uy/vida-actual/buscan-controlar-vih-epidemia-sida.html" target="_blank"> en el marco de la campa&ntilde;a global de ciudades contra el VIH</a>, Asunci&oacute;n se sumar&iacute;a en breve a ciudades como Par&iacute;s, Montevideo, San Francisco, Buenos Aires, R&iacute;o y Santiago en firmar el compromiso de frenar el VIH antes del 2030.

Estos compromisos se centran en acciones que buscan reducir la brecha de acceso al tratamiento y la prevenci&oacute;n del VIH a trav&eacute;s de la fijaci&oacute;n, a su vez, de nuevas metas para 2030. El objetivo 90-90-90: que consiste en conseguir que el 90% de las personas que viven con el VIH conozcan su estado serol&oacute;gico, que el 90% de las personas que lo conocen tengan acceso al tratamiento para el VIH, y que el 90% de las personas que lo tengan logren una represi&oacute;n viral efectiva.

De esta forma, la Municipalidad de Asunci&oacute;n junto a SOMOSGAY como integrante de la sociedad civil, buscan enfrentar problemas sociales como la homofobia, el machismo y la discriminaci&oacute;n y formalizar una alianza de cooperaci&oacute;n para delimitar las tareas en todos los niveles, especialmente las relacionadas con las &aacute;reas que atienden los aspectos m&aacute;s vulnerables.

Noticias

The dream of an inclusive public health

27 jul 2016

The match against discrimination

27 jul 2016

It is no coincidence: Reactions and responses to the slaughter of Orlando

25 jul 2016

Se realiza histórica firma de Convenio entre la Municipalidad de Asunción y SOMOSGAY

22 jul 2016

SOMOSGAY y la Municipalidad de Asunción firman convenio de Cooperación Interinstitucional

19 jul 2016