Unid@s - National Latina/o Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Human Rights Organization

Letter to President Obama

2009-07-15T10:07:00.006-04:00

This is the letter that was delivered to President Obama at the LGBT reception.

UNID@S
1325 Massachusetts Ave., NW
Suite 600Washington, DC 20005

June 28, 2009
President Barack Obama
President of the United States of America
The White House1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20500

Dear Mr. President,

Thank you for the invitation and honor to celebrate the 40 years of LGBT rights movement at the White House. This is a historical event and one at which we are proud to represent the LGBT Latina/o interest. We understand your commitment to the LGBT community of this great nation as we were also part of your transitioning process. This has been a great relationship and we look forward to further developments and opportunities to collaborate.

The board of directors of UNID@S wants to take this opportunity to introduce you to the scope of our work and the issues affecting our communities. This is done in an effort to raise awareness of the type of struggles affecting Latina/o LGBT individuals in our nation, as seen by regional representatives within our board of directors.

The mission of UNID@S, The National Latina/o Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender (LGBT) Human Rights Organization is to create a multi-issue approach for advocacy, education and convening of and for our communities. Guided by economic justice, feminist, environmental and pro-peace values, UNID@S joins a global effort to transform systems and policies to create the just and equitable World we know possible.

Earlier this year UNID@S conducted a needs assessment with Latina/o leaders across the nation. This needs assessment gave direction to our work and to the topics we are presenting to you in this letter. LGBT Latinas/os in the USA are deeply concerned about the lack of relationship recognition. We want to urge you to the importance of repelling pro-hate legislation like DOMA, and a non-gender inclusive EDNA. As you know for Latinas/os families are important and the ability to form same gender legally recognized families ensures us the safety others currently enjoy. DOMA has allowed states across the union to carry on bullying legislation and avoid the recognition of same sex partnership at times when is important such as the death of a partner, hospital interactions, and other basic rights.

LGBT Latinas/os are also worried about immigration rights. Many times this conversation goes without a look at what would this mean for same sex couples and their immigration rights. Same sex Hispanic couples do not have the right to ensure the safety of their relationships just through the naturalization process. Beyond this, many LGBT Latinas/os have fled to this country in search of physical safety, often flying from family members. The current immigration process needs revision to ensure that it is a fair and effective process for all.

As you know we have been at war for over 8 years and many LGBT Latinos have fought along side with non LGBT soldiers. To this day many of our brothers and sisters have hidden their true identity for fear of losing their ability to serve this great nation. The board of UNID@S pleads for your prompt attention to this matter.

Finally, 2010 provides with a new opportunity to gather statistical data which can transform our understanding of LGBT populations in the USA. UNID@S urges you to affect change and ensure that relevant questions are included in the census. In past census questions have been vague and the information gathered has been controversial. This has hindered research and the process of advocacy. Our community is left with projections and assumptions.

Your advocacy on these issues is important for the LGBT Latinas/os in the USA. As you continue to advocate for the changes needed to ensure fairness and justice for the LGBT Latina/o community, you will continue to enjoy our support.

Thank you again for this opportunity to be present during such an important and historical moment in our nation. For further communications you can reach our Board Chair at (312) 925-2132 or via email at jcestou@aol.com

Sincerely,

Jorge Cestou, Board Chair Midwest States Representative

Noris Chavarria, Board Treasurer New York Representative

Gabriel Gonzalez, Co-Chair of Communications and Outreach North Central States Representative

Lisbeth Melendez, Co-Chair of Communications and Outreach South East States Representative

Jose Alex Castro South Central States Representative

Tony Alvarado-RiveraIllinois Representative

Cristina MartinezTexas Representative

Wilfred LabiosaNorth East States Representative

Yoseñio V. LewisWestern States Representative

Unid@s LGBT-The National LGBT Human Rights Organization will hold its 2nd Retreat in the Big Apple

2009-05-20T13:55:00.001-04:00

Unid@s LGBT-The National LGBT Human Rights Organization will hold its 2nd Retreat in the Big Apple
Unid@s LGBT will be holding its 2nd in person meeting in New York City, New York. Kicking off the month of Pride in New York City, Board members will be arriving from all over the U.S. to spend June 3rd-6th brainstorming, strategizing, planning and developing the next steps in a much needed Latin@ LGBT movement of the U.S. & Puerto Rico.

Unid@s LGBT will meet at the Gay Center on Friday and another community based organization on Saturday to create an agenda for the remainder of the year as well as tentative plans for the beginning of 2010. Unid@s LGBT will have an open session for community members to ask questions and provide input. This meeting is just one of many more to come at a local level to increase visibility, encourage community participation and stabilize the organization.

Anyone who is interested in participating or volunteering in this process should email Noris Chavarría at the.noris@gmail.com to reserve a spot before the 26th of May 2009, due to a limited capacity. If there are any further questions please make sure to email Mr. Chavarría as soon as possible. We look forward to seeing you in New York City!

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PARA DISTRIBUCIÓN INMEDIATA
Miércoles 20 de mayo del 2009
Ciudad de Nueva York, Nueva York

Unid@s LGBT-La Organización Nacional de Derechos Humanos tendrá su 2da reunión en la Gran Manzana

Unid@s LGBT tendrá su segunda reunión en la ciudad de Nueva York, NY. Para comenzar el mes del Orgullo en la Ciudad de Nueva York, miembros de la junta directiva llegaran de muchas partes de los Estados Unidos para compartir entre el 3ro de junio al 6to de junio para detallar los próximos pasos necesarios del movimiento LGBT Latin@ en los Estados Unidos y Puerto Rico.

Unid@s LGBT se reunirá en el Centro Gay de Nueva York el viernes y en otra organización comunitaria el sábado con la esperanza de crear un agenda para el resto del año así como para crear planes tentativos para el comienzo del 2010. Unid@s LGBT tendrá una sesión abierta a miembros de la comunidad para hacer preguntas y facilitar inclusión de ideas. Esta reunión es una de muchas más que vendrán al nivel local para proyectar esta organización en una manera más visible y concreta.

Cualquier persona interesada en participar o ser voluntario en este proceso favor de comunicarse con Noris Chavarría por correo electrónico al the.noris@gmail.com para reservar su espacio antes del 26 de mayo, ya que esta limitado. Si existen algunas preguntas favor de comunicarse con Noris Chavarría lo más pronto posible. Esperamos verles en la Ciudad de New York.
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Unidos Update, and other information

2009-04-25T21:30:00.000-04:00

Dear Unidos LGBT colleagues,

Thank you for your support throughout the past two years of Unidos LGBT's existence.

As many of you that are in the non profit world would know, getting an organization off the ground is no easy task but not impossible either. The members of Unidos LGBT, past and current, have worked tiredlessly on a volunteer basis to make our vision and the vision that was set by members of Sigamos Adelante and Timon a reality.

The first weekend in June 2009 in New York City, Unidos LGBT will host its second in person meeting where we will be reviewing the results of our community assessment process that many of you participanted in. We will also map our direction for the next couple of years.

In the past two years we have held events throughout the U.S.A. Even last year Unidos LGBT was asked to participate in the Obama's LGBT Presidential Transitional Team... yes we have an organization and is present at the national level!

We are at the point that we need to make this organization more visible and more concrete. Without your support, it will be more difficult to make it happen.

I want to take the opportunity to thank the past board members of Unidos LGBT and also the current board members that continue to make our vision a clearer reality. The current board members of Unidos LGBT are:

Tony Alvarado-Rivera
Alex Castro
Jorge Cestou, Male Co-chair
Noris Chavarria, Treasurer
Wilfred Labiosa
Yosenio Lewis
Erica Lopez, Female Co-chair
Cristina Martinez and
Lisbeth Melendez

Unidos LGBT board members: without your participation, we would not have a national presence!

I urge you all to continue support Unidos LGBT and the National Latino LGBT movement.

If you are interested in volunteering or joining the board of directors, please contact me at jcestou@aol.com .

Donations are always welcome... no matter how much, your donation will make a significant impact in the work that we are accomplishing. To donate, please write your check to:

The Task Force- Unidos
c/o Russell D. Roybal
National Gay and Lesbian Task Force
1325 Massachusetts Ave., NW
Suite 600
Washington, DC 20005

Como siempre, saludos y estamos Unidos en la lucha,

Jorge Cestou
Male Co-chair
Unidos LGBT

Zona Rosa Health Expo 2009: Healthy, Sexy and Proud

2009-04-16T10:27:00.004-04:00

Please visit www.hafnyc.org for more information

Learning from Obama: The artifice of our Constitution

2009-03-10T00:35:00.001-04:00

We all learned about the three branches of government in our respective elementary schools. We learned how each branch was responsible for protecting us from the “tyranny” of Britain’s monarchy. The truth is that our government is a democratic system tainted by artifice, instead the political system rises and falls on faith and belief. These beliefs fail to guard against a concentration of power in one entity that believes you to be immoral, evil, etc. Every era has its scapegoat, I can list communists, immigrants, women…
We witnessed the eight years of the Bush Administration build a dictatorship of sorts, allowing torture, obfuscating knowledge and its tactics to the people. Where was the judiciary? We all know Congress was in his pocket, but the judiciary did nothing to prevent the corruption of power.
For the last six years, I wanted to go to law school not to be a lawyer, but rather to represent a voiceless, powerless minority; any minority group that is denied basic human rights. My hope was to infiltrate from within and learn how the privileged minority, the wealthy and powerful have acquired what they have and share this with those that have nothing, both in legal rights and monetarily. As a researcher I witnessed and observed hardworking immigrants have their basic human rights violated again and again with no recourse. I wanted to discard my feigned research objectivity and help enforce and/or change current law. I thought it was a way to address wrongs to this community with a minimal skill set at my disposal.
As a bilingual, bicultural and pansexual child of an immigrant I felt the responsibility on me to fight for those that I represent: women and children, immigrants, Latinos and LGBTQ+ communities. I want to change the law, but how can I change something that changes like a chameleon to benefit the elite few despite the fictitious Constitution promising life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness?
The more I tread in the legal scholarship to combat racism and homophobia, the wearier my steps become. At least as a researcher I could pretend my findings would be used to benefit someone. I take issue with the legal system disavowing bias and not building into it a real acknowledgment that and all other “ISMs” are an inherent part of the system.
Court opinions are often hailed as way to address the concerns of minority groups, but this fails when the justices are appointed by the President often based on legal, moral or religious ideology. While no system is perfect given the propensity of human beings to be corrupted by power, the United States is the only country in the world that has a Constitution that requires those at the helm of our country to comply with its basic tenets. The Constitution was written to provide people with a government, body of laws and infrastructure based on equality, promising life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
I guess what I am saying is that perhaps the LGBTQ+ movement needs to be more political, more ideological without explaining, stopping to provide research and “hard facts”. We can learn from the Obama campaign, where change and hope itself was more important than the details.

This entry was submitted by Erica Lopez the Female- Co chair of Unid@s. *The opinions of the authors expressed herein do not necessarily state or reflect those of Unid@s*

A supposed-Paranoia...My reality in NYC

2009-02-03T10:29:00.007-05:00

I love it [sarcasm] when a person comes up to me and tells me how great my life is, I mean I am almost white, i almost look Italian, Portuguese or somewhat European... well good because I am... on the other hand I also love [sarcasm again] it when someone tries to dictate TO ME my own reality or dismiss my words when I choose to tell someone about a day in MY shoes... the lady I mentioned with the weird look when I walk beside her... the white gay men constantly asking me where I am really from, [when you would think a 'minority' would know better than to put someone on the spotlight] and the twinks saying, 'oh girl please its not that bad, look at so and so [person of color] she never complains'...it is sad to see people simply dismiss my opinions about this city and my reality, and what I go by day in and day out... sure I am privileged, obviously I am online, I am of lighter skin [although when tanned my middle eastern roots clearly stand out and as a result I am seen as a "terrorist" and I am searched just enough to make me almost miss my flight] and that grants me certain privileges unfortunately and I work them to the best of my ability to get what I deserve in moments time in this system ... obviously I am not the most radical nor the most conservative person, but I like to stand up for myself and some who I know would appreciate it at some point...

"oh why can't we live in a color blind world? i mean i dont look at color" now that's the funniest thing ever, it is obvious people do this, we are human... hey I am not excluded from this...I live near projects and I haven't heard gunshots but I am wary when there is a group of guys in parkas...they are in parkas and caps...regardless if I see their face and just their backs... I do get a little shaky especially if it is dark out...movies, the media and our perpuation of this... if we keep treating youth as criminals of course they are going to be defensive and look out for themselves...there is a reason why people don't like cops...same criminals all the time... and jails are a corporation...keep putting them in jail and not educating them and well you have yourself a real good business idea...that will not depreciate because Black and Latino men will always be criminals according to the system...stealing money isn't a crime or is somehow seen as less of a threat to society with this ongoing crisis we are suffering from...but the simple doing of hanging out in a predominantly minority community is... in groups of 2 or 3...let us target the naturally social populations. Institutional racism is that power that no one can see and very few question, because people in power are so good at keeping it covered up, or because they dont want to face it...it is not a paranoia nor an intensely ludicrous theory that I and others came up with...where has the original south end, or Harlem [now SoWa or SoHa, SpaHa] gone [Boston amd NY reference]? the villa is still there, cathedral is still there, the Apollo is still there, hopefully will continue to stay there but who knows...the gentrifiers invested in these areas and have "cleaned" it up...by raising some kind of standards I have yet to see, and making it safer [whatever that means] good luck Jamaica Plain, Harlem, Bed-Stuy... "

"its not that bad", these words always resonate in my head when people choose when and where to insert themselves in my life and then criticize or add their literal 2 cents if that...then they leave and instead of providing some kind of support or dialogue they choose to ignore and live on their lives as if the conversation never took place...why is it always seen as a threat to talk about these things? ask, learn and listen...listen...don't dismiss...yes to each his/her own...but be willing to hear out an opinion and not dismiss it...afterall it is my reality...everyday, for some others as well...

its not that bad... its not that bad....its not that bad...yea it really is...

This entry was submitted by Noris Chavarria the Treasurer of Unid@s. *The opinions of the authors expressed herein do not necessarily state or reflect those of Unid@s*

Why I am “Culturally” Catholic

2009-01-28T15:43:00.004-05:00

Religious affiliation is strongly related to political ideology and views on a variety of social and public policy issues among Latinos according to a report on religion and Latinos conducted by the Pew Center in 2007. The findings were not surprising to me or anyone reading this blog. Recently a friend of mine who is Chicana and very catholic told me that she is a Republican. I had no idea and she likened it to “coming out” (albeit jokingly) because she has so many queer and liberal friends. She notes that she encounters hostility and angry questions that turn her off to discussing politics or answering their angry questions. While I choose not to judge her, I did choose to ask tough questions tactfully while trying and refute the logic, but never disrespectfully. After all I do not hate those that deny others their rights. Instead, I try to understand them and their arguments while starting a discourse with them instead.

It’s not surprising that many of the recent blog posts by queer latin@s on this new blog are about religion. Christmas has whispered at our ear and its clear that religion is integral to many Latinos as part of their identity and upbringing. When asked about my own religion, I say I am “Culturally Catholic”. It’s been a joke, but recently I have been thinking about what it really means.

“Cultural Catholicism” is not a religion but is something that is tied to my identity and my participation as an observer, as a Mexican American. This is not an ideology or a “cafeteria” catholicism. Instead, I focus on going to posadas, putting up a nacimiento, preparing a day of the dead altar and being sensitive to the Mexican cultural roots in religion and enjoying the associated social, cultural and artistic, etc. aspects of it all. I believe in nothing more than making a contribution to society and following a moral code of fairness and justice. I still go to church with my family, but they know I deny not only ingesting the white, chalky wafers, but also the religion, yet I participate quietly. The kind of nourishment I seek comes from helping others, it helps me sow the manna of compassion and humanity.

I make a choice to not seek religion to guide me or my politics despite the fact that as a young adult I was a catechism teacher and “hung” out with the nuns at my church. I choose to use my time and energy to fight for those that are less fortunate by focusing on tangible ways I can help. The Roman Catholic Church and other religious institutions have many resources and a lot of influence over their flocks. That influence should be used to put Catholics to serve their fellow man instead of trying to carve out a policy agenda for gay marriage; where does the bible mention that commandment?
My thoughts on Catholicism are not new or groundbreaking. My upbringing helps me empathize and understand why people feel the way they do. My cousin is a priest currently serving at the Vatican. I email him and choose to have a relationship where I can ask questions and learn why people feel the way they do so I may connect with others in a better way.

Its important that I foster these relationships with Catholic or Republican Latin@s, as I consider myself an ‘insider’, infiltrating their subconscious by bridging the gap with discussion and respect. I can then ask, “If this country is founded on the pursuit of life, liberty and happiness, why is my liberty impinged upon?” The separation of church and state was something we were all learned about in the 6th grade. It is the crux of the foundation of our country. I like hearing the logic and explanation as to why religion is actively corroding the rights of many families, which at its core, is what religion teaches us not to do.

This entry was submitted by Erica Lopez the female co-chair of Unid@s. *The opinions of the authors expressed herein do not necessarily state or reflect those of Unid@s*

Works cited:
http://pewhispanic.org/files/reports/75.pdf

Sexual Diversity Key To Success in Business

2009-01-26T13:44:00.004-05:00

There is a change ahead for all businesses, change that is shaped by demographics and markets. That change is the challenge of embracing not only diversity of race, gender, religion and political affiliation, but of sexual orientation as well. Any business hoping to survive and thrive in the future should be listening and acting now.

Not long ago, the gay market in the U.S. was largely undocumented. None of the Fortune 500 companies or major corporations had yet discovered the value of the gay and lesbian consumer. Today, market research is clearly defining and validating the GLBT market. For the first time in history, marketing executives and mainstream Americans are recognizing the financial clout of the gay community.

Gay and lesbian consumers account for over $660 billion worth of spending power annually. By 2011 that figure will rise to $835 billion.* Businesses are finding that in order to survive and compete they must move into this market.

We live in an age when flexibility and creativity are the keys to competitiveness. Yet too often we operate from old stereotypes and fears. Part of the human condition, reflected in business, is the desire to cling to traditional and safe patterns. We find solace in those whose appearance and outlook reflects our own. However, what is needed is expansion and inclusiveness, working with new ideas and new people.

Diversity is the richest resource we have. It is the source of all creativity and innovation. No matter what the business, recognizing diversity benefits the individual, the organization and society as a whole.

Workplace diversity is no longer wishful thinking. It is an essential component of every successful business. The world is changing. Attitudes are changing. Gay and lesbian Americans finding acceptance in politics, media and in the boardroom.

Today, more than 80 percent of companies in the Fortune 500 now ban discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. Over 50 percent of the Fortune 500 offer health and other benefits to the same-sex partners of their employees.**

As acceptance grows, companies, corporations and small businesses are reaching out to gay and lesbian consumers by expanding their marketing toward this very important market niche. And by doing so, they are finding success reflected in their bottom line.

Cristina Martinez is President and CEO of the Gay & Lesbian Rainbow Pages and founder of the San Antonio Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce.

*The opinions of the authors expressed herein do not necessarily state or reflect those of Unid@s*

Unite for equality for all, not the few and mean it!

2009-01-21T08:57:00.003-05:00

“Race is an issue that I believe this nation cannot afford to ignore right now.” President Obama

It would be a great world if racism, bigotry, and homophobia wouldn’t exist. It would be impressive if people would stop expressing and acting their racism, separatism, and homophobia. It is incredible that in the year 2009 we are still seeking equal rights for GLBT folks, and for immigrants. We should be all equal by now but we are not. People wake up!
I find myself writing another column about the same issue. I wrote a similar column two years ago and we are still trying to bring equality for all and work with the racism that exist in our country. Now that a new president has been sworn into office, might become a better time for all of us, immigrants and people of color.

I’m lucky. Thanks to a 1920’s act signed into law by the US and my home country, Puerto Rico, I was born a citizen of the US. If these two governments in 2008 had negotiated this, most probably it wouldn’t have occurred because recently the US government instead of progressing has regressed. I have noticed a higher prevalence of racism, sexism, bigotry, and homophobia; not only within the government and its institutions but also among individuals, organizations, and community groups in this state (and others states).

As a gay man, I’m astonished about the indifference, hatred, and “uneducation” of GLBT individuals. I have noticed how GLBT individuals have stopped caring for other issues after we gained the right to marriage. What ever happened to transgender rights, or GLBT immigrant rights? Can these be added to the GLBT community “agenda”? I have not seen the enthusiasm and energy for these issues as that noted during the intense struggle of marriage equality. These two issues should have the same intensity and we should continue the dialogue on the racism, and homophobia existing in our community.

As a Latino gay man, I’m astonished how much more welcoming my Latino straight counterparts are about GLBT rights. Yes, you might not have expected this but it’s the truth. Survey results and other research conducted in the last four years have confirmed this fact. During the marches for immigrant rights, you will notice Latinos walking side by side with GLBT individuals and families; in some marches across the US, you could have seen pride flags waved side by side with other flags.

Let’s make our fight one of advocacy for justice and equality for all not for the few. As a marginalized community, GLBT folks of all colors and races and immigrant status should work together towards the advancement of rights for all. Aren’t we all victims of oppression? Aren’t we children of the “isms” like racism, sexism, and homophobia? The moment for GLBT individuals to unite is now! No matter your political affiliation, color, or race you should unite to fight for immigrant rights, fighting for these rights don’t diminish our cause and ongoing struggle for equal GLBT rights, instead it makes it stronger. When you don’t see some other person as unequal is when you will be able to make a change.

Let’s not spend money in stronger border control. Let’s not spend money convicting hard working immigrants as felons. Lets not stop immigration reform but lets do it in a proper way that will allow families to stay together, that will allow working immigrants to gain work permits, and in a way that embraces the validity of this illegal residents/immigrant community’ currently living in the US. Let’s embrace immigration. The immigrants in question are our neighbors, our work force, our friends, our lovers, and possibly our spouses. Let’s learn about this subject, lets unite, and lets have an “agenda” for equal rights for all, not the few, and lets mean it!

The GLBT community and the immigrant community are not mutually exclusive. So to the GLBT community and all of the community at large, wake up, stand up and unite so that our spirits and our voices rise and are heard all the way to the top and around the globe! Start bringing this change to your home, family, church, organization and community. You can make a difference; it is time to unite and act!

Written by Wilfred W. Labiosa - community mobilizer, and founding member of Somos Latin@s LGBT Coalition of Mass and of Latino Pride of New England. Edited in English by John Barter.
*The opinions of the authors expressed herein do not necessarily state or reflect those of Unid@s*

I Have a Dream: Tengo un Sueño

2009-01-19T14:12:00.002-05:00

By Jorge Cestou

As we prepare to experience the historical presidential inauguration of the first Black president for the United States of America, I think of the current reality of the dream that Martin Luther King, Jr. had and spoke about in his speech delivered on August 28, 1963, from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial during the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. It was a defining moment of the American Civil Rights Movement. King, Jr. delivered his speech to over 250,000 civil rights supporters. I am so happy that the Black community rejoices of excitement because King, Jr.’s dream is becoming a reality after a very long wait of 45 years. King, Jr. is not alive to experience the outcome of his vision, but his legacy was monumentous.

While conversing with some of my friends a couple of days ago, we tried to make sense of the reality that Black community is experiencing of King, Jr.’s dream. We concluded that critical components that allowed the dream to become a reality were the belief of the vision created and the continuous reinforcement of the leader who created this vision.

We concurred that in any social effort, the presence of a leader was needed. Benito Juarez was key in integrating society in Mexico, Simon Bolivar and independence agitator through Central and South America, etc.

The real question that I made to myself was… if we know what it’s really needed to push a vision forward… what is the LGBT community waiting for in the U.S.A.? What is the Latino LGBT community waiting for?

Let’s join forces. Let’s step up to the line and be the great leaders that we can be…

I have a dream: tengo un sueño… that one day in our very near future in the U.S.A. as well as the entire world men and women would coexist harmoniously as equals regarding of their sexual orientation.

*The opinions of the authors expressed herein do not necessarily state or reflect those of Unid@s*

A letter to Joseph Ratzinger...

2009-01-14T10:45:00.003-05:00

Dear Joseph Ratzinger: (aka Pope Benedict XVI)
As an openly gay and proud man, I too would like to express my thoughts and offer my point of view as a person who is no longer doing the righteous thing and turning the other cheek.
Earlier in the week (12/22) you stated in your holiday address that it is important to save humanity from Homosexuals and Transsexuals and compared the GLBT community as the threat behind the destruction of the rainforest and the Heterosexual community as the rainforest in need of saving. While comments made by “rogue” leaders and “extremist” clerics are grossly exaggerated and instantly condemned by the international community, your statement was expressed without condemnation except from a few small groups.
Just as you felt the sense of “urgency” to deliver your message, I too would like to offer my message on how and why it’s just as important to save Humanity from the ignorance and bigotry of the Vatican.
The Vatican (including yourself) has no more right to intervene and issue opinion on GLBT rights and the struggle for equality, then you, Mr.Ratzinger have to find justification for your involvement in the Hitler Youth party.
Before you come out and point your finger at me and condemn me to hell and deny me my rights, make sure your hands are clean.
It was 15th century Iberia, when the Spanish monarchy received it’s “blessing” from the Holy See to begin it’s Inquisition to force-convert Jews, Moors and other non-Christians, if they refused they’re options were exile or death. Around 1492 his Holiness “blessed” the Niña, Pinta and Santa Maria on their voyage to the Americas to begin 300 years of cultural genocide and ethnic cleansing of the “savages” who, as you state, were “silently longing” for Christianity. Thousands of years of culture and knowledge laid to waste, countless precious artifacts and resources were stolen, people raped and killed, entire civilizations forced to convert to Catholicism. All this done under the Vatican’s approval.
Mr.Ratzinger, the Natives of the Americas were not looking to be “purified” by the Vatican anymore then the Jews would want to embrace Nazi Germany with open arms.
Let’s not forget your Holiness Pius XI, blessing the invasion of Ethiopia in 1935 and the subsequent slaughter of up to a million innocent Ethiopians, many of whom were women and children meeting the end of their fate by mustard gas. Pius’s justification for this act was a “holy war” for the expansion of the Catholic faith onto so called “infidels”.
And Mr.Ratzinger, contraire to what you have stated about Islam being a violent religion, Islam is no more violent then Christianity, or in this case, Catholicism was, only difference was that during the crusades, no one had cameras to record the events and no youtube to broadcast it to the world.
If you state that same-sex marriage is the destruction of humanity as we know it, then you have been turning a blind eye to the world. If Britney Spears can have her 72 hour marriage and we parade single women to an eligible bachelor who wants to find true love on national television while letting divorce rates rise, allowing people to marry for the 3rd or 4th time, Mr.Ratzinger, I think it’s more then obvious that you need to save marriage from Heterosexuality, before denying the right to others.
Only when you offer a formal apology for the atrocities committed in Latin America and Ethiopia to name 2 of your many sins, only when proper compensation is provided to all the victims and their ancestors, can you wipe your hands clean and cast judgment upon me.
I would like to end this note with one more thought. As we Gay’s, Lesbian’s, Bisexuals, Trans and Allies alike unite in our struggle for equality, we can no longer “politely” ignore the religious right. It is our job and responsibility as a community UNITED, regardless of race and gender, to educate the public at large that when we advocate for same-sex marriage, we’re advocating for the rights granted by a union that is formed, whether it’s same-sex couple or opposite sex couple.
At the end of the day we’re asking for a civil right that is granted in marriage, NOT a religious rite.
Peace
Uriel Tapia
*this entry was submitted by Uriel Tapia, a member of Unid@s LGBT*
*The opinions of the authors expressed herein do not necessarily state or reflect those of Unid@s*

Redemption

2008-12-23T09:41:00.002-05:00

When I asked my folks to come into my room I was at my desk, facing my computer. My dad sat on my bed, propping himself up on one elbow, and watching the futbol game that was playing on my TV. My mom started right in about my tias. I pretended to pay attention to her, nodding my head as she talked, but internally I was trying to find the courage to say it. I swallowed then turned my head to look at them. There was no time like right now.
“Ma, Pa. I have something to tell you” I managed to say, my hands suddenly shaking over the keyboard. Whether it was fear or just plain nervousness, or both, it was apparent that something was going on and I just couldn’t find the words to say it.
“What is it mi’jo?” my mother said.
It felt as if the air filled with tension. Suddenly I wanted someone to walk through the door to come rescue me from what I started.
“What?” she repeated and leaned towards me.
I realized there was no going back.
“Did you knock up some girl?” she continued. “You get in trouble in school?”
“I think that’s the least of your worries at this point.”
After playing the guessing game for what seemed like an eternity, I finally laid it out to them.
Closing my eyes, I said, “I’m gay.” A dark cloud lifted off me. I was surprised by how good it felt to finally get it off my chest. Relaxed, I turned around and looked at my folks.
“YOU’RE WHAT?” I heard my mom yell from the top of her lungs.
Mind you, she’s a short Mexican woman, no taller then 5’1”, but when this woman opened her mouth, the whole house followed in command.
“I’m gay. Soy gay.” I repeated, a hint of fear in my voice.
She clutched her fist, her voice going from shock to rage.
“Como que eres un maricon!!! Are you sick? Those people are diseased.”
She shook her head in disbelief.
“Ay dios mio, what are your tias going to say about me now? You want to die from AIDS? You wanna lead a life filled with discrimination, have people look at you in disgust as they walk away rather then convivir contigo?”
Her words were as sharp as the blade that was slicing through my spirit.
“Ma, me being gay isn’t a disease. You can’t choose your sexual orientation just like you can’t choose your hair color or height. It’s genetic.”
I remembered the countless nights I spent staying up late, getting reassurances from the internet that this is, after all, biological, thinking to myself that everything was going to be like a piece of flan.
“None of my children are going to be maricones. I rather you be a drug addict or murder someone than be gay! Me estas escuchando hijo de la gran puta? You have no right to carry the family’s last name,” she stated menacingly, making her way closer towards me. Suddenly she stopped, turned and stared at my dad.
“You have nothing to say?” she screamed.
My dad looked up from his futbol game.
“Mi’jo,” he said, “I may not agree with that lifestyle, but if that’s what makes you happy, then that’s all that matters to me. Tu felicidad.”
He smiled gently and turned back to the TV.
“That’s ALL you’re going to tell him? You’re encouraging him to indulge in some nasty disease,” she yelled.
My dad turned off the TV and made his way upstairs to their bedroom.
“Mira” she said, with that look in her eyes like she was ready to tear me into a million pieces, not that her words hadn’t done so already. “If your going to be a maricon, don’t expect me to go visit you when you’re dying of AIDS at the hospital. You’re NOT my son anymore, you’re dead to me,” she said, slamming the door to my room in my face.

The week wasn’t looking good. Constant degradation and humiliation at my expense. I probably could have forgiven her, had not what happened, happened.
The following day after school I decided to hit my prima, Jasmin, up for moral support.
“Girl, I don’t get it. I thought she was more open-minded, or at least tolerant. She would get mad anytime someone would used the word maricon, and even she said that everyone deserves respect, regardless of what walk of life they come from,” I told her, as I brushed aside the tears I couldn’t hold back any longer. I’d been playing the stereotypical Latino macho for the last 36 hours and couldn’t take it anymore.
“Your mom’s old school, foo,” she said. We sat for a moment in silence. “I don’t understand how a mother can say those awful things about her son,” she finally said, as she held my hand.
In order to avoid dealing with my mom I came home late that night. When I opened the front door I was surprised to see the house lit up by the candles placed next to the Virgen de Guadalupe. I noticed little notes pinned up next to her cloak. I’m not a devote Catholic like my mom but I knew what the pieces of paper meant. Growing up I was told that reading the little notes pinned on the Virgen was rude and a lack of respect to the devout who’ve left them behind. I looked up from the alter and listened for footsteps. When I realized no one was still up, I leaned in closer to the Virgen. I couldn’t help myself.
Virgencita. Please help my son find the right path back to salvation. Please help convince him that the path he has chosen is full of disgust, disease and rejection. Please change his mind and grant me many grandchildren, tell him it’s a phase. I will be forever in your debt and light a candle in your honor and walk on my knees to your shrine at your sagrada basilica.
S.T.
I was lost and couldn’t come up with a game plan to deal with this. My honesty backfired on me. By Wednesday I gave up on trying to reason with her using science, facts and psychology. Out of desperation I decided to hit my Tia Licha up.
There’s always that one tia that everyone else in the family called crazy, not so much because she was schizophrenic but rather because of the things she believed in. That was my Tia Licha. Her house was heavy on smoke, and not from cigarettes, but from incense, the sticks you find at those shops filled with little knickknacks like how to ward off the evil spirits. There they tell you things like, light this stick to bring prosperity into your house, that other stick for good health and don’t forget the golden horseshoe above the entrance of your door. That shop.
As I made my way into her living room I heard a loud thump and crash on the kitchen floor. “MI’JO STOP RIGHT THERE!” she yelled at me.
I heard her footsteps getting louder.
“I sense that there is a heavy evil presence around you. You need a limpia, let me get my egg out.”
This is why everyone thought she was crazy. She was always wanting to solve everything in life with a limpia and an egg, her huevo.
“Tia, I came here to ask you if you got anything to help the ailing spirit, like a potion, a chant or a spell.”
A spell, I heard myself say. Now how ridiculous is that. Before I would have laughed at people desperate enough to try to solve life’s problems with a spell.
“Mi’jo. I feel this evil presence burdening your shoulders and darkening your soul. I don’t need any details, as the huevo has told me all there is to be told,” she said in a serious tone.
She rubbed the huevo around my body, trying to rid it of the evil spirit that she said was pinning me down.
“Take this,” she said to me, handing me a cup with what I could make out to be a dark leaves. “This te del espiritu sagrado will help revive you in your fight.”
I drank the tea in a hurry, not necessarily getting the answer I was hoping for. “Gracias Tia,” I told her, as I gave her the obligatory hug and kiss on the cheek and made my way out the door.

I decided that at home I’d try to be civil, as much as was possible with my mother, and went home early that evening. I opened the front door that leads to the living room to find my mom and siblings standing in front of la Virgen de Guadalupe, praying.
“This is so your siblings don’t pick up on any diseases or stupid ideas,” she told me coldly as I made my way to the room.
As I sat in front of my computer all I could hear was the drone of long prayers: Santa Maria del Sagrado Corazon, Senor Jose el que lo ve todo, San Rafael el salvador de los perdidos.
In bed, as I tried to sleep, I wondered who I could turn to for guidance. I wanted someone to walk through the door and rescue me from the darkest period of night but I knew I was going into this alone. I grabbed my blanket and wrapped it over my shoulder and thought about tomorrow, about how I didn’t know what it held for me.

I don’t recall much about my abuela. I met her a couple of times when I was young. The only clear memory I have of her was the last time I went to Mexico at age 7. There was nothing significant for me about the trip. So maybe it was something about the craziness in the house that brought her that night, that made everything seem to fall in place. It was a dream, yes, but a dream that felt like a sign not to give up.
In it, my abuela appeared, sitting next to me. She was holding me again like I was seven, and talking to me the way grandmothers do when full of joy to see her grandkids. “If you’re going to give up on life and this battle that has only begun, then you truly do not deserve to carry on the families last name. I’ve yet to meet a Tapia, who, despite all circumstances and odds placed against him or her, has given up. You are a Tapia, and you are my grandson, gay or not, that’s not going to change anything.” And just as the dream started, it faded away.

“HIJO DE LA GRAN PUTA.” I was quickly awoken as my mom yelled out loud and swung open my door. It was early morning and I was confused from being jarred awake. My mom was standing over me with a bag, throwing all my stuff in it.
“So you want to be a maricon right? Well get used to it, because this is what happens to maricones.”
All my past accomplishments, personal memories, went into that bag.
I could almost feel the fire that was feeding her rage. As she threw my things into the bag she looked at me with disgust. I felt nothing but fear towards her.
“Had I known you where going to be a maricon and had not murder been illegal in this country, I would have killed you with my bare hands the moment you told me about your sickness,” she told me.
“And you’re calling me the hijo de la gran puta,” was all I could manage to say.
“What did you just tell me?”
“I said that if I was going to be a problem and headache for you, you had 9 fucking months to abort me, no one was stopping you, and if your faith prohibits you, then you could have thrown yourself down the stairs or drank some poison,” I told her, surprised that I somehow not only managed to work the courage to stand up to her, but give her my piece of mind.
She paused for what seemed like an eternity.
“So the little maricon finally grew some cojones like the man he’s suppose to be. Since your being an hocicon, look at what I’m going to do with this bag,” she said and made her way out the door. I followed her out as she walked away with my memories.
It was a warm spring day, I remember the sun hitting my face, taking a deep breath as I watched a short, angry woman make her way across the yard and out into the boonies, carrying a bag twice her weight. What she did next is something that to this day I can and will never forgive her. In her hand she had a can. At first I was unable to make out what it was but quickly started panicking when I realized it was kerosene. Finding a clearing in the brush and quickly dousing the bag, she didn’t hesitate when taking out the box of matches. As she struck the side of the box to light the match, I felt a sudden lost of respect for her, my image of her changing forever.
We didn’t cross looks or words.
I saw all the accomplishments that I, as a proud high school student, had worked so hard for vanish in a flash. Flames engulfed the bag and its contents, my memories burnt down to ashes.
I couldn’t have recognized it back then. Maybe it was all the events unfolding through out the whole week, finally reaching the culminating point, but now that I look back on it, I recall having this sensation take over my body, this feeling which made me come into reasoning with everything that was taking place.
I felt my ancestors blood rush through my veins, like the Aztecs who were preparing to battle the Spanish conquistadores, Simon Bolivar, Pancho Villa and Che Guevara’s spirit engulfing my own as they rallied peoples under the cause of Latino solidarity against the American imperialism, the Mirabel sisters not giving up and leading a nation to rise against it’s dictator with their never dying will power. My Central American, Sudamericano and Carribeño brothers and sisters in
arms fighting for equality and justice for the less fortunate. The moment my mother ignited that bag, everything changed. I was reborn.
Before making my way back to the house I took a quick glance at her and said, “No matter what you say, you can and will never break my spirit. I am who I am, whether you want to accept it or not,” then I walked away.
I don’t know if it was the wise words of my abuela or the tea that my Tia Licha made me drink, a combination of both, or my self-discovery of who I finally came to be, but I do know and feel proud of myself for knowing that this battle was not lost in vain. I came out much stronger and wiser, reborn like the Phoenix.

this entry was submitted by Uriel Tapia, a member of Unid@s LGBT

*The opinions of the authors expressed herein do not necessarily state or reflect those of Unid@s.

La historia de los condones y nuestra aceptación

2008-12-15T14:47:00.008-05:00

Jorge Cestou

El día de hoy me desperté pensando en el gran efecto positivo que el uso del condón atenido en mi vida y en la vida de muchos miembros de la comunidad LGBT. Mi analogíadel uso del condón es como cuando uno conduce un carro, uno se pone el cinturón deseguridad al entrar al carro… el cinturón no nos protege en el 100% de los accidentes, pero en muchos casos evita la mortalidad en conjunto con las bolsas de aire… el condón se tiene que usar cuando uno va a tener penetración y con el apropiado uso de lubricantes, no nos protegen el 100% de las veces pero si nos ayudan a minimizar la contracción de enfermedades venéreas que a veces son incurables.

Lo interesante es que nunca me había preguntado ¿cuál es el origen del condón? ¿Te sorprenderías si te dijera que la historia del condón se traza hasta el 1000 antes de Cristo?

El uso del condón se traza a varios miles de años. Se conoce que alrededor del año 100 antes de Cristo los egipcios usaban una capa de lino para protegerse contraenfermedades.

Las primeras evidencias del uso del condón en Europa vienen de entre los años 100 y 200 después de Cristo en las escenas pictóricas de cuevas en Combarelles, Francia.

También hay evidencia de que alguna forma del condón se usó en Roma imperial.

Alrededor del 1500 la epidemia de sífilis se vio por toda Europa. Gabrielle Fallopiusreclamó la invención de la cubierta de lino que supuestamente protegía a los hombresdel contagio del sífilis. Al haber encontrado un uso para la prevención de infección, se reconoció el uso del condón para la prevención del embarazo. El primer uso de espermicidas también sucedió en este siglo. Las cubiertas de lino se bañaban en una mezcla química y se dejaban secar antes del uso.

En 1706 la palabra ‘condum’ fue publicada en un poema. También se ha sugerido queCondom fue un médico en los tiempos de Carlos II. Se cree que él inventó esteartefacto para ayudar al rey con la prevención de más hijos ilegítimos. Entre estos años los condones de intestinos de origen animal hicieron su aparición. En la segunda parte del siglo XVIII, la manufactura de condones estaba en su apogeo en Londres y los primeros anuncios de condones aparecieron.

El uso de condones fue mejorado en el siglo XIX por los avances tecnológicos,económicos y el desarrollo social en Europa y Estados Unidos. La manufactura de condones fue revolucionada por el descubrimiento de la vulcanización de la goma porGoodyear (fundador de la compañía de llantas) y Hancock. Lo esto significo fue laposibilidad de producir en masa rápidamente y a bajo costo artículos de gomaincluyendo los condones. La vulcanización es un proceso donde la goma se transformaen un material elástico duradero.

Hasta los años 1920s la mayoría de los condones eran manufacturados a mano con uncemento de goma. Esta clase de condones caducan pronto y la calidad era dudosa. En1919 Frederick Killian inicio la manufactura de goma natural látex en Ohio. Los condones de látex tenían la ventaja de caducidad despacia y eran más delgados y sinolor. La venta de estos se expandió. Para 1935, la producción de condones de látex en Estados Unidos era de 1.5 millones de condones diarios. En 1957 el primer condón lubricado fue introducido en la Gran Bretaña por Durex. En el 1960 el uso del condóntuvo menos popularidad como uso preventivo del embarazo en comparación con lapíldora, el dispositivo y la esterilización.

El uso del condón incremento en 1980 con el reconocimiento del virus del VIH. Loscondones se hicieron disponibles en bares, cantinas, tiendas de abarrotes y supermercados.

En 1992 el condón femenino hizo su aparición en Europa y en 1993 se aprobó por la Administración Americana de Alimentos y Drogas (FDA).

En 1994 el primer condón de poliuretano para hombres fue introducido en Estados Unidos. Alrededor de estos años también se introdujeron los condones de colores y sabores.

En años más recientes, gracias a los avances tecnológicos, el grosor de los condones a disminuido. También los productores de condones han reconocido que un solo tamaño de condón no nos queda a todos. Ahora puedes encontrar condones de distintos tamaños y estilos.

Muchas veces nosotros los Latinos ponemos excusas por el cual no queremos utilizar los condones. Recuerda que solamente son excusas y nuestra vida vale más que un rato de placer. Los condones están disponibles en todas partes y si por alguna razón no encuentras uno, escríbeme y yo con gusto te envío algunos de mis preferidos.

La próxima vez que vayas a manejar, acuérdate de ponerte el cinturón de seguridad.

Bibliografía

Durex website: History of Condoms http://www.durex.com/
Himes N.E. (1936) 'Medical history of contraception', Baltimore: Williams and Wilkins inLewis M. 'A Brief history of condoms' in Mindel A. (2000) 'Condoms', BMJ books
Langley L. L. (ed)(1973) 'Contraception' Stroudsburg: Dowden, Hutchinson and Ross inLewis M. 'A Brief history of condoms' in Mindel A. (2000) 'Condoms', BMJ books
Fryer P. (1965) 'the Birth controllers', London: Secker and Warburg and Dingwall EJ.(1953) 'Early contraceptive sheaths' BMJ, Jan 1: 40-1 in Lewis M. 'A Brief history ofcondoms' in Mindel A. (2000) 'Condoms', BMJ books
Lewis M. 'A Brief history of condoms' in Mindel A. (2000) 'Condoms', BMJ books
CDC (2003) 'Male latex condoms and sexually transmitted diseases', Fact sheet forpublic health personnel
De Vincenzi I. (1994) 'A longitudinal study of human immunodeficiency virus transmission by heterosexual partners', the New England Journal of Medicine; 331:341-346
CDC (1993) ' Basic facts about condoms and their use in preventing HIV infection andother STDs', July 30

Family, Nuestra Familia

2008-12-09T12:04:00.010-05:00

A few years ago I wrote the following forward for the Hispanic/Latino Same Sex Household Census Report. I am hoping you enjoy this revised version!!

The news was surprising: Latinos will be the largest minority by 2025, a shocking statement about a community bounced around the Census like the proverbial bald-headed step child of the nation it helped to build. You see, Latinas/os were white until the 1980 Census, the first to include a question about ethnic origin. At the time, we were 6.5 percent of the U.S. population.
Today, we comprise 14.8 percent of the U.S. population. Our numbers have doubled in 20 years and far under represent our immigrant communities.

For years we have put food on our tables, sewn the clothes many of us wear, and cleaned after ourselves and others in an effort to sustain our families in this country and abroad. We have done it diversely because we encompass many colors, genders and sexualities. We have done it proudly while also facing racism, xenophobia and expatriation.

We were called Mexicans, Puerto Ricans, Colombians, Salvadorans and Cubans until the Nixon administration lumped us together using the term “Hispanic.” From Cesar, the Brown Berets, Young Lords and other movements of ethnic pride emerged the names “Latino,” “Chicano,” “Tejano” and “Nuyorican.” These names are statements of pride, honor and validation for our ancestry. We are immigrants, migrants and native-born. We are a mix of colors, identities, foods, climates and temperaments. We are a gumbo, asopao and a stew. It is, simply, our moment in the sun.

As the largest minority in the US, we are now under the microscope. Yet, with all of this attention, I cannot escape feeling ignored as a Latina lesbian. Many inside our Latina/o community would rather deny our existence as lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people, turning a blind eye to the reality that their daughter is still a “solterona,” (old maid) their son a “bachelor,” or that the person showing up on Sundays who used to be their son Juan now answers to Viktoria. The same can be said for many of our non-Latina/o counterparts, who somehow look for us to wear the LGBT label and forget our ethnic roots. I am no less Latina than I am a lesbian. I challenge you to forget neither.

We form families, both immediate and the extended form of “familia.” As is true for members of the broader LGBT movement, we seek the freedom to marry and the legal recognition that comes from having our love validated beyond marriage and stereotypes. We yearn for our “familias” to openly embrace our love and walk with us in the struggle to eliminate not just xenophobia and racism, but homophobia, transphobia, biphobia and heterosexism.

How do we accomplish such a feat? Not by hiding or running away, but by joining forces and walking proudly forward together with other Latino/a brothers and sisters. We must step out of the shadows reassuring ourselves that we must fight for what is rightfully ours: the recognition of our existence, the validation of our relationships through marriage or other forms of “familia,” and the unconditional love of our friends and family. We must be visible for ALL of us. We must understand the complex mix of our families and allies love and fears; our collective shame and pride, while also challenging one another to remain visible as Latinas/os AND queers. We must challenge the organizations that claim to speak for us to do so inclusively, not exclusively. Justice must be all-encompassing. Civil rights struggles must strive for fairness and equality for all. We cannot be denied, erased, if you know we exist! Therefore, we will hold you accountable for our combined struggle.

To me nothing demonstrates that more than my familia. Twenty-five years into this journey I have gone through it all: from being closeted to having my partner receive the news that we would be aunts before I did. I accomplished inclusion and recognition by educating, demonstrating and demanding that my family recognize me for who I am as a woman, lesbian and Boricua. Today I demand the same from my fellow Latinas/os and queers. Discrimination is not selective. It is a corrosive force that destroys our humanity.

Latinas/os have refused to assimilate, keeping our tortillas, arroz con gandules, pernil, arepas, y churrascos just like immigrants of the past, making them part of the food landscape of this land. Yet, we have also embraced the hamburgers and fries of our guest land, of our homeland. Being Latina/o is not just about where we are born or where we come from. Years after coming to this country, after coming out, falling in love (several times) and isolating my familia (in Puerto Rico) from my family (in the US) I still call Puerto Rico home. It is that feeling; a spiritual music born within us that calls us to our ancestors across time and space. It is about the indigenous, the colonizer, and the descendents of Africa who were brought to America as a whole, not just the US. It is about the Asian, the European, the African, and others who came to the shores of our countries looking for riches, refuge, or solace and found home.

I encourage you to keep up with UNID@S, use our list serves and blogs to inform us of your activism, to help us support your arguments on our behalf, and help us achieve justicia para todos! Remember, in Spanish, English or Spanglish we are Latinas/os, queer, LGBT or whatever name we choose for ourselves.

We are proud, numerous and growing! If you open your ears you can hear the tambores, trompetas, maracas y guiros coming, making noise, making Latino music, changing the landscape and helping us to stand strong!

UNETE!!!!! JOIN US!!! MAKE UNID@S A VOICE FOR HUMAN RIGHTS!

this article was written by Lisbeth Mendez-Rivera

Condoms4Life.Com--Anuncios Radiales

2008-12-02T12:05:00.007-05:00

Un anuncio de una abuelita catolica dandole consejos a su nieto sobre sexo seguro. No te lo pierdas.

Y un anuncio de una pareja catolica hablando sobre sexo seguro y usar proteccion.

Publicidad innovadora sobre los condones en las comunidades católicas y latinas se lanzará el Día Mundial del SIDA

2008-12-01T14:51:00.003-05:00

COMUNICADO DE PRENSA
PARA DIVULGACIÓN INMEDIATA
1 de diciembre de 2008
Contacto: Jessica Gonzalez-Rojas
Telefono: 212-422-2553
Correo electrónico: Jessica@latinainstitute.org

Publicidad innovadora sobre los condones en las comunidades católicas y latinas se lanzará el Día Mundial del SIDA

Catholics for Choice y el Instituto Nacional de Latinas para la Salud Reproductiva se complacen en anunciar el lanzamiento de los primeros anuncios radiales de la campaña Condoms4Life. Los dos anuncios en español abordarán los mitos que existen en las comunidades católicas y latinas sobre el uso del condón. Además, pondrán de relieve la importancia del uso del condón y el hecho de que las buenas católicas y los buenos católicos usan condones. La campaña radial se iniciará en la ciudad de Nueva York el 1 de diciembre de 2008 y se extenderá a todo el país en 2009.

Apelando al mensaje central de que "las buenas católicas y los buenos católicos usan condones", la campaña presenta a los católicos que tienen una vida sexual activa un mensaje positivo sobre responsabilidad y sobre lo que implica querer a otros. Los avisos están diseñados para atraer la atención de los creyentes, ya que uno de los mensajes de 60 segundos dice: "Yo soy una mujer católica. Y para mí no hay nada más importante que proteger a la familia y el amor. Por eso es que le hablé a mi nieto acerca de los condones". Los avisos recuerdan a los creyentes que cuidar de sí mismos y quererse mutuamente significan usar condones al tener relaciones sexuales.

En el primer aviso aparece una abuela que habla sobre su nieto, un muchacho homosexual que ha oído que se supone que los católicos no deben usar condones. Ella le dice a su nieto: "Yo te cuidé porque te amo y, si tú amas a ese hombre, lo cuidarás también a él."

En el segundo aviso aparece una pareja que conversa en términos similares a los que emplean las parejas cuando hablan sobre la importancia para su relación del amor, la fe y el uso de los condones. El anuncio concluye así: "Somos católicos y gente de fe. Sabemos que el sexo es sagrado y que debemos cuidarnos uno al otro. Esto significa usar un condón cada vez que tengamos sexo".

"El Instituto Nacional de Latinas para la Salud Reproductiva está emocionado de trabajar con Catholics for Choice en esta innovadora campaña. Esperamos quitar el estigma a las conversaciones sobre el sexo y la sexualidad y promover el uso de condones dentro de nuestras comunidades, a fin de reducir las disparidades en la salud. Casi el 20% de las nuevas infecciones por el VIH en los Estados Unidos corresponden a latinos, y las mujeres Latina contraen el VIH a un nivel que es cuatro veces que el de las mujeres blancas no latinas," afirmó Silvia Henríquez, directora ejecutiva del Instituto Nacional de Latinas para la Salud Reproductiva. "El uso de condones es una de las muchas formas en las que podemos adoptar una actitud enérgica y preventiva y tomar decisiones inteligentes sobre nuestra salud sexual."

"Catholics for Choice reconoce los desafíos especiales que enfrentan las comunidades Latinas. Debido en buena parte a que nuestra religión no ha sido siempre franca respecto a las relaciones sexuales, existe un silencio incómodo en torno al uso del condón: es hora de que nuestras comunidades rompan ese silencio y proclamen, como lo hacen estos anuncios, que los buenos católicos usan condones," afirmó Jon O'Brien, presidente de Catholics for Choice.

Visite el sitio www.Condoms4Life.org si desea escuchar los anuncios y recibir información adicional.

Los anuncios radiales de la campaña Condoms4Life se transmitirán en estaciones radiales de la ciudad de Nueva York entre el 1 y el 14 de diciembre.

###

El Instituto Nacional de Latinas para la Salud Reproductiva (NLIRH por sus siglas en inglés) trabaja para asegurar el derecho humano fundamental a la salud reproductiva para las Latinas, sus familias y sus comunidades a través de la educación, la abogacía y el análisis de políticas, y la movilización comunitaria.

Groundbreaking Radio Ads Launch on World AIDS Day about Condoms in Catholic and Latino Communities

2008-12-01T14:49:00.002-05:00

PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
December 1, 2008
Contact: Jessica Gonzalez-Rojas
Phone: 212-422-2553
E-mail: Jessica@latinainstitute.org

Groundbreaking Radio Ads Launch on World AIDS Day about Condoms in Catholic and Latino Communities

Catholics for Choice and the National Latina Institute for Reproductive Health are proud to announce the launch of the first-ever Condoms4Life radio ads. The two Spanish-language ads take on myths about condom use in Catholic and Latino communities and highlight the importance of condom use and that Good Catholics Use Condoms. The radio campaign launches in New York City today, December 1, 2008 and will roll-out nationwide in 2009.

Using the core message that "Good Catholics Use Condoms," the campaign presents a positive message to sexually active Catholics about responsibility and caring for others. The ads appeal to people of faith with one of the 60-second spots noting in Spanish that: "I'm Catholic and there is nothing more important to me than protecting family and love. That's why I talked to my grandson about condoms." The ads remind people of faith that taking care of yourself and caring for each other means using condoms when you are sexually active.

The first ad features a grandmother speaking about her grandson, a gay man, who hears that Catholics are not supposed to use condoms. She tells her grandson, "I took care of you because I love you and if you love that man, you'll take care of him, too."

The second ad features a couple and models language that couples can use when discussing the importance of love, faith and condom use in their relationship. The ad concludes, "We are Catholics and people of faith and we know sex is sacred and that we need to take care of each other. And this means using a condom every time we have sex."

"The National Latina Institute for Reproductive Health is excited to work with Catholics for Choice on this groundbreaking campaign. We hope to de-stigmatize conversations about sex and sexuality and promote the use of condoms within our communities in order to reduce health disparities. Latinos represent almost 20% of new HIV infections in the United States, and Latina women get HIV at an rate that is four times the rate for white women," said Silvia Henriquez, Executive Director of the National Latina Institute for Reproductive Health. "Using condoms is one of the many ways that we can be proactive and make smart decisions about our sexual health."

"At Catholics for Choice we recognize the special challenges Latino communities experience. Largely because our religion has not always been honest about sex, there exists an embarrassed silence around condom use - it is time for our communities to break the silence and proclaim, as these ads do, that good Catholics use condoms," said Jon O'Brien, President of Catholics for Choice.

Visit www.Condoms4Life.org to listen to the ads and for more information.

The Condoms4Life radio ads will be featured on radio stations in New York City, December 1-14.

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The mission of the National Latina Institute for Reproductive Health is to ensure the fundamental human right to reproductive health and justice for Latinas, their families and their communities through public education, community mobilization and policy advocacy.

Dia Mundial del SIDA 2008

2008-12-01T01:00:00.005-05:00

Hoy se celebra el Dia Mundial de la lucha Contra el SIDA. El Dia Mundial de la lucha contra el SIDA es un dia en que personas y/u organizaciones de todo el mundo honran vidas, la lucha y los logros cientificos. Hoy, tu tambien puedes ayudar a llamar atencion en tu comunidad con solo usar un liston rojo. Organizaciones de todo el mundo dedicaran este dia a esta causa con lanzamientos de campañas para la prueba del VIH, murallas conmemorando la lucha y el progreso y vigilias honrando personas que han fallecido. Sigamos en la lucha.

Sabias que:

Los hispanos o latinos representan el 15% de la población de los EE. UU., pero presentaron el 17% de todos los nuevos casos de infecciones por el VIH en los Estados Unidos en el 2006. Durante el mismo año, la tasa de nuevas infecciones por el VIH entre hispanos o latinos fue tres veces la de los blancos. En el 2005, el VIH/SIDA fue la cuarta causa principal de muertes entre hombres y mujeres de origen hispano o latino entre los 35 y 44 años.

fuente de informacion: CDC. Sexually Transmitted Disease Surveillance, 2006. Atlanta: US Department of Health and Human Services, CDC; 2007

Para mas informacion sobre este blog o para informarnos de eventos en su ciudad, comuniquese con Noris Chavarria @ the.noris@gmail.com

World AIDS Day 2008

2008-12-01T00:34:00.006-05:00

Today marks the 20th anniversary of World AIDS Day. World AIDS Day is a day in which people and organizations from all over the world honor, celebrate and bring attention to the HIV/AIDS epidemic. By simply wearing a red ribbon you are honoring lives, research accomplished and increasing awareness in your community. Organizations from all over the world will bring attention to this epidemic by unveiling murals, launching HIV testing campaigns, and the reading names of those who have passed away. Keep fighting.

Did you know that...

Hispanics/Latinos comprise 15% of the US population, but accounted for 17% of all new HIV infections occurring in the United States in 2006. During the same year, the rate of new HIV infections among Hispanics/Latinos was three times that of whites. In 2005, HIV/AIDS was the fourth leading cause of death among Hispanic/Latino men and women aged 35–44.

*information source:CDC. Sexually Transmitted Disease Surveillance, 2006. Atlanta: US Department of Health and Human Services, CDC; 2007

For more information regarding this blog or to submit a list of happenings in your city contact Noris Chavarria @ the.noris@gmail.com.

Jorge Cestou-Male Co-Chair

2008-11-26T09:46:00.005-05:00

Jorge Cestou is the Executive Director of Little Village Community Development Corporation. He is currently a Ph.D. candidate in Organization Development at Benedictine University in Lisle, IL. Jorge is a nationally recognized community activist. He is the treasurer of the Association of Latino Men for Action and a board member of the Center on Halsted in Chicago, IL.

Jorge has facilitated and moderated many workshops, seminars and caucuses. His last moderating experience was with the City of Chicago’s “It Pays to Go Green Conference.”

Gael Gundin Guevara

2008-11-25T12:56:00.007-05:00

Gael Gundin Guevara was born and raised in Panamá City, Panamá. Gael immigrated alone to the United States at the age of 19 leaving family and friends behind to go to college. They graduated from The Ohio State University with a BA degree in Sociology. Gael is currently living in New York City and will be finishing their Illustration degree next spring at Pratt Institute. Gael is also a collective member and the Community Organizing Coordinator of the Sylvia Rivera Law Project, an organization that provides free legal services and community organizing support to low-income and people of color who are trans, intersex, and gender non-conforming. Gael is also an organizer for Transforming Justice, a national coalition that works to address the root causes of imprisonment, criminalization, and poverty in transgender communities and bring visibility to the voices and experiences of trans people to build a all gender inclusive movement to abolish the prison industrial complex. Gael was also part of the steering committee Sigamos Adelante and was later elected to be the trans co-chair of the first board of directors of Unid@s. Gael is also a member of the LGBTQ Latin@ Health Project Advisory Committee for the National Latina Institute for Reproductive Health

“I believe in the mission and purpose of Unid@s and I’m determined and committed to building an organization that is accountable to the needs of our Latina/o LGBT community.” - Gael Guevara

Tony Alvarado-Rivera

2008-11-25T12:50:00.007-05:00

Tony Alvarado-Rivera is a multi-issue community organizer working within an anti-oppression framework. A long time face in the community, Tony has been nurtured by some of the greatest organizers/activist in Chicago. During his time in New York while working with the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN) national headquarters, he had the privilege of frolicking with some amazingly progressive trans fags of color who helped make her the fierce Chican@ Queer she is today. Before leaving Chicago, Alvarado-Rivera was finishing up his years of work with the About Face Youth Theatre and helped co-found the PFLAG en Español group, now known as Entre Familia. Back and fiercer than ever, Tony is extremely honored to be working with Howard Brown's LGBTQ Mentor Program, a new program in our community that builds healthy and positive mentoring relationships between queer youth and adults. When not working or lending his organizing skills to progressive orgs in Chicago, Tony can be found chilling in Logan Square trying to find Aztlan, walking his little man-Pepe de Jesus or doing the dishes while listening to Juan Gabriel.

Noris Chavarria

2008-11-24T11:29:00.005-05:00

Noris Chavarria currently works at Scholastic Inc., as a Project Coordinator. After graduating in 2004 with a B.A. from Tufts University in Medford, MA, he has worn many hats at the Hispanic Office of Planning and Evaluation (HOPE), Fenway Community Health, and Hispanic AIDS Forum where he has held positions such as Asst. Director of Planning & Prevention, Field Coordinator and Outreach & Marketing Specialist. Noris Chavarria lives in New York with his hyper Miniature Pinscher named Kai. His favorite color is HOT Pink, he placed 39th at the Nike Women’s Marathon and is a member of Gotham, New York’s gay rugby team.

Erica Lopez

2008-11-24T11:25:00.003-05:00

Erica Lopez is currently an AOF Fellow and second year law student at the University of Wisconsin Law School. Before enrolling in law school she worked at the Medical-Legal Partnership for Children at Boston Medical Center. She is currently working at the Frank J. Remington Center's Family Law Project, which assists incarcerated persons with their family law matters and she is the co-chair of QLaw, the Queer Law Student Association. Additionally, she works at the AIDS Network in Madison, WI serving HIV positive persons with legal issues ranging from trusts and estates to housing, family law, immigration, health insurance, etc. Erica graduated from Yale College in 2001 and began work on The Responsive Schools Initiative, a multi-site qualitative immigration study chronicling schools that are successful in meeting the needs of young immigrant children. While working on the study she was a consultant with the Yale Health, Emotion and Behavior Lab for a Sexual Health/AIDS Intervention community-action research project.

Lisbeth Melendez Rivera

2008-11-21T15:57:00.007-05:00

Lisbeth has crisscrossed the country training workers and community leaders in organizing, leadership development and community building strategies from a grassroots perspective. Lisbeth has served on the Boards of the Massachusetts Coalition for Occupational Safety & Health, the National Youth Advocacy Coalition, Pride @ Work & the National Organizer Alliance. She has also been a volunteer with Women's Institute for Leadership Development (WILD), Haymarket People's Fund, ASTRAEA Lesbian Foundation for Justice as well as many other organizations.
A biologist and sociologist by education is it her calling to social justice that makes her passions flare and her days move forward. Today Lisbeth lives in Washington , DC alongside her life-partner, Lisa Weiner-Mahfuz, her godson, and their animal farm!