Date: Tue, 28 Nov 1995 21:00:18 -0100 (CET) From: "ILGA Administrative Office" ILGA Press Release: Nov 28, 1995 ================ Latin American Gays Demand Institutional Support against the Spread of AIDS, Demand the Decriminalization of Homosexuality in Chile, Ecuador and Nicaragua ================ Secretary-General of the International Lesbian and Gay Association (ILGA), Spaniard Jordi Petit, at the closing ceremony of the IV Pan American Conference on AIDS announced that 46.8% of those affected by AIDS in Latin America are homosexual or bisexual. Speaking in the name of Latin American gay associations participating at the conference, he congratulated the openness of the directors of national plans against AIDS in Latin American countries. The directors were presented with a letter demanding institutional support for the prevention of AIDS among gays. As well, Petit recalled that 1995 is the 50th anniversary of the liberation of Nazi Camps where Pink Triangles marked homosexuals who were imprisoned and assassinated. Now, we add the symbolic red ribbon to show our solidarity with those affected by AIDS. The Secretary General of ILGA spoke of the successful advances of 17 years of ILGA's existence and demanded the decriminalization of homosexuality in Nicaragua, Ecuador, and Chile. A cloud of pink balloons released by gays and lesbians present at the ceremony closed the speech. The ceremony ended with the testimony of various people living with HIV and AIDS. All present applauded this act of visibility. ILGA is a federation of 300 gay and lesbian groups in 70 countries all over the world. The ILGA AIDS Working Party is a workgroup that specifically works against AIDS and for solidarity with those affected. for more information, call or fax: 32-2-502-2471 or write ILGA, 81 Kolenmarkt B-1000 Brussels, BELGIUM ****************************************************************************** To send a message to the entire list "queerplanet", email queerplanet@abacus.oxy.edu This list is run by the program MAJORDOMO@abacus.oxy.edu. *******************************************************************************