A regional coalition representing lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, transsexual, intersex and other gender-diverse (LGBTI+) organisations, along with sex workers’ groups, has urged member states of the Organisation of American States (OAS) to strengthen human rights protections and reinforce support for the Inter-American Human Rights System following the conclusion of the body’s 56th General Assembly in Panama City.
The Coalition of LGBTTTI Organisations and Sex Workers of the Americas, which includes SASOD Guyana among its 76 member organisations from 31 countries and regional networks, said it played an active role during the June 22-24 meeting by advancing the concerns of LGBTI+ communities and sex workers while engaging regional leaders on issues affecting human rights across the hemisphere.
The coalition also convened its annual meeting, bringing together 57 activists from 26 countries to discuss strategies aimed at advancing equality, protecting democracy and defending the Inter-American Human Rights System, which it described as a cornerstone of human rights protection in the region.
A key engagement during the General Assembly was a meeting with Laura Gil, Assistant Secretary General of the OAS, during which coalition representatives discussed the importance of preserving mechanisms that allow civil society organisations to participate in the work of the hemispheric body.
The coalition welcomed what it described as Gil’s openness to strengthening collaboration with civil society to build a more transparent and effective OAS.
Representatives also met with member states of the OAS LGBT Core Group, describing the relationship as an important avenue for advancing regional advocacy on issues affecting LGBTI+ people.
During the General Assembly’s Dialogue of Civil Society Organisations, Workers, the Private Sector and Other Social Actors with Heads of Delegation and the OAS leadership, coalition spokesperson Iván Chanis of Fundación Iguales delivered a statement calling on governments and the OAS to strengthen protections for individuals and communities facing discrimination and exclusion.
Chanis said reinforcing the Inter-American Human Rights System, ensuring the implementation of its standards and expanding opportunities for civil society participation were essential to guaranteeing that vulnerable communities are not left behind.
The coalition also co-hosted a regional forum examining the future of the Inter-American Human Rights System amid evolving global political and democratic challenges.
The first panel explored marriage equality and legal standards for the recognition and protection of same-sex couples and their families. It featured José Luis Caballero, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights Rapporteur on the Rights of LGBTI Persons; Brazilian government official Symmy Larrat; Iván Chanis; and Ángela Russo.
A second panel focused on challenges confronting the Inter-American Human Rights System in the context of global democratic changes and featured representatives from the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and regional human rights organisations.
Coalition representatives also held a separate meeting with Commissioner Caballero to discuss human rights concerns affecting LGBTI+ communities across the Americas, before meeting with Carmen Montón, Spain’s Observer to the OAS, to explore opportunities for continued cooperation in promoting LGBTI rights within the regional organisation.
The coalition concluded the General Assembly by urging governments across the hemisphere to uphold their international human rights obligations and deepen collaboration with civil society.
“As this General Assembly closes, we call on States to honor their human rights commitments and to work alongside civil society to defend the Inter-American System and build a more just, inclusive, and democratic region,” the coalition said in its closing statement.
The coalition comprises organisations from across the Caribbean, Latin America and North America, including advocacy groups from Guyana, Barbados, Belize, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, Suriname, The Bahamas, Saint Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Canada, the United States and several Latin American countries. It works to advance the rights of LGBTI+ people and sex workers while promoting equality and non-discrimination throughout the Americas.
Organizations that are part of the LGBTTTI & TS Coalition in 31 countries:
- Argentina – AKAHATÁ Equipo de Trabajo en Sexualidades y Género
- Argentina – ATTTA ( RedLACTrans )
- Barbados – Sexuality Health and Empowerment (SHE)
- Barbados – The Barbados LGBTQ+ Coalition
- Belize – TIA Belize ( RedLACTrans )
- Belize – United Belize Defense Movement (UNIBAM)
- Bolivia – ADESPROC Libertad GLBT
- Bolivia – Igual Bolivia
- Bolivia – Red Nacional de Mujeres Trans en Bolivia (REDTREBOL) (RedLACTrans)
- Bolivia – Fundación Diversencia
- Brasil – Articulação Política das Juventudes Negras
- Brasil – Grupo Ativista de Travestis, Transexuais e Amig@s (GATTA)
- Brasil – Grupo Esperança
- Brasil – Liga Brasileira de Lésbicas (LBL)
- Brasil – Rede Nacional de Negr@s e Afros LGBTTT (Rede-afros-lgbts)
- Canadá – Egale
- Canadá – * The Canadian HIV / AIDS Legal Network (* Miembro Asociado)
- Chile – Asociación OTD Organizando Trans Diversidades
- Chile – Sindicato Amanda Jofré (RedLACTrans)
- Colombia – Caribe Afirmativo
- Colombia – Colombia Diversa
- Colombia – Fundación Santamaría
- Colombia – Red Comunitaria Trans (RedLACTrans)
- Colombia – Profamilia
- Costa Rica – Mulabi – Espacio Latinoamericano de Sexualidades y Derechos
- Costa Rica – TRANSVIDA (RedLACTrans)
- Costa Rica – Asociación Ciudadana Acceder
- Costa Rica – Centro de Investigación y Promoción para América Central de Derechos Humanos (CIPAC)
- Dominica – Dominica Equality and Sexuality Association (DESEA)
- Ecuador – Asociación Alfil (RedLACTrans)
- Ecuador – Taller de Comunicación Mujer
- El Salvador – Asociación Aspidh Arcoiris (RedLACTrans)
- Grenada – Grenada Chapter of the Caribbean HIV and AIDS Partnership (GrenCHAP)
- Guatemala – Organización Trans Reinas de la Noche (OTRANS) (RedLACTrans)
- Guatemala – Red Nacional de Personas Trans, REDTRANS GUATEMALA ONG
- Guyana -SASOD Guyana
- Honduras – Asociación para una Vida Mejor (APUVIMEH)
- Honduras – Colectivo Unidad Color Rosa (RedLACTrans)
- Jamaica – Equality For All Foundation Ja. Ltd
- México – Letra S SIDA, Cultura y Vida Cotidiana
- México – Red Mexicana de Mujeres Trans (RedLACTrans)
- México – Fundación Arcoíris por el Respeto a la Diversidad Sexual AC
- México – Las Reinas Chulas, Cabaret y Derechos Humanos AC
- Nicaragua – Red Nicaragüense de Activistas Trans (REDTRANS)
- Nicaragua – ODETRANS (RedLACTrans)
- Panamá – Asociación Panameña de Personas Trans (RedLACTrans)
- Panamá – Fundacion Iguales
- Paraguay – Aireana Grupo por los Derechos de las Lesbianas
- Paraguay – Asociación Panambi (RedLACTrans)
- Paraguay – Asociación Escalando
- Perú – Centro de Promoción y Defensa de los Derechos Sexuales y Reproductivos (PROMISEX)
- Perú – DEMUS – Estudio para la Defensa de los Derechos de la Mujer
- Perú – Lesbianas Independientes Feministas Socialistas – LIFS
- Perú – Instituto Runa de Desarrollo y Estudios sobre Género
- Perú – Trans Organización Feminista por los Derechos de las Personas Trans (RedLACTrans)
- Regional – Caribbean Forum for the Liberation and Acceptance of Genders and Sexualities (CARIFLAGS)
- Regional – Red Latinoamericana y del Caribe de Personas Trans (REDLACTRANS)
- Regional – Red de Trabajadoras Sexuales de Latinoamérica y el Caribe (RedTraSex)
- Regional – Synergía – Iniciativas por los Derechos Humanos
- República Dominicana – Colectiva Mujer y Salud
61.República Dominicana-Comunidad de Trans Travesti y TrabajadorasSexuales
62.República Dominicana-COTRAVETD (RedLACTrans)
63.República Dominicana–Diversidad Dominicana
64.Saint Lucia -United & StrongInc.
65.St. Vincent and the Grenadines–Care AdvocacyReaching out Empowering StVincent and the Granadines Inc. (CARESVG INC)
66.St. Vincent and the Grenadines–(ERAOSVG INC) Equal Rights,Access and Opportunities SVG Inc.
67.St. Vincent and the Grenadines–RedRoot SVGInc.
68.Subregional-Eastern Caribbean Alliance forDiversity and Equality (ECADE)
69.Suriname -Women’s Way
70.The Bahamas-The DMarco Organization (RedLACTrans)
71.Trinidad and Tobago -CAISO Sex and Gender Justice
72.Uruguay-AsociaciónTrans del Uruguay (ATRU)
73.Uruguay-Colectivo Ovejas Negras
74.USA –Hondureños Contra elSIDA
75.Venezuela-Venezuela Diversa Asociación Civil
76.Venezuela-Diversidad e Igualdad a Travésde la Ley (DIVERLEX)
