CUBA:
Transvestites and Transsexuals Slowly Finding a Place in Society
Dalia Acosta


HAVANA, (IPS) - Transvestites and transsexuals face varying degrees of discrimination and marginalisation all over the world, but in a country like Cuba, with a firmly entrenched culture of "machismo", life can be even more challenging.

Between 1998 and 2003, psychologists Janet Mesa and Diley Hernández conducted an in-depth research project involving interviews with 19 Cuban transvestites and transsexuals. The results of their research were recently published in the Cuban cultural magazine Temas, and can also be seen in Spanish on the website of the state-run National Centre for Sex Education (CENESEX).

Cuban transvestites and transsexuals are subject to conflicting emotions, in that "they feel proud of being Cuban, but find there is no place for them in Cuban society," according to the report.

"Being Cuban has strong social, economic and cultural implications, and this has contributed to the shaping of an identity that is very different from that of individuals in other places and other cultures," they add.


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Sex-change (sic) husband fights Irish state ban
Russian businessman born a woman battles to overcome official 'prejudice' in Ireland which refuses to recognise his marriage
Henry McDonald, Ireland editor
The Observer


Because Nicholas used to be Nadia, the Irish state refuses to recognise his marriage. Now the 32-year-old Russian businessman who was born a woman is taking legal action to force the government to accept that his birth certificate can be changed.

Ireland is the last of only three countries in the Council of Europe which does not treat transgender people equally. Like Albania and Andorra, the Republic does not allow post-operative transsexuals to alter their birth certificates.

A successful entrepreneur in the import/export business, Nicholas Krivenko says he and his German wife, Sybille Hintze, will be forced to leave Ireland if the state continues to deny them residency on the basis of not recognising their marriage. The couple live in Quin, Co Clare and married legally and in full knowledge of the registrar in a civil ceremony in Limerick City five years ago.

'Nowhere on the marriage form did it say "Have you changed your sex?" But I gave the registrar my old birth certificate as a girl, my new one and a translation of them from Russian into English at the ceremony. I did not hide my past. I gave them the opportunity to find out.'



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Legal experts ponder Ohio's gay marriage ban, ramifications
By Jim Siegel
Gannett News Service


COLUMBUS -- Ohio's proposed amendment banning gay marriage is a little broader in scope than most proposals in 12 other states, several legal experts say.

"We're not alone in going this far," said Marc Spindelman, assistant law professor at The Ohio State University. "But I don't think that should be reassuring to anybody."

Three legal experts said the language of Issue 1 is broad and vague. And although the language refers only to "state and political subdivisions," they believe it could reach beyond a governmental impact


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Domestic partner benefits at risk
Passage of amendment could prohibit future coverage for Ohioans
By Carol Biliczky
Beacon Journal staff writer


One staffer at Cleveland State has gone where no one else there has gone before -- to sign up for workplace benefits for a same-sex domestic partner.

But if Ohio voters approve State Issue 1 on Nov. 2, no one else ever could.

The gay marriage amendment would do two things -- define marriage as the union between one man and one woman and prohibit the state and its entities from creating any relationship that approximates marriage.

Similar issues will be on the ballot in 10 other states next month. And voters in Missouri and Louisiana overwhelmingly approved anti-gay marriage amendments earlier this fall, although Louisiana's since has been struck down by a state judge for grouping two issues into one question on the ballot


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Civil Rights Commission Releases Negative Evaluation of Bush Administration
Amy Baumann


The United States Commission on Civil Rights issued a report last week evaluating the accomplishments and setbacks in civil rights’ progress. The Commission examined areas of continued disparities for minority groups such as housing, employment, voting, and education, reporting an overall negative assessment of the Bush Administration’s efforts. The report, entitled “Redefining Rights in America—The Civil Rights Record of the George W. Bush Administration, 2001-2004” , cited the administration’s resistance in making civil rights a priority, in eradicating entrenched discrimination, in protecting the rights of the disadvantaged, and in promoting minority access to Federal Programs as evidence of their assessment.


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HRC Marks National Latino Aids Awareness Day
Calls for Renewed Emphasis on Prevention and Treatment for HIV/AIDS

 
WASHINGTON - The Human Rights Campaign today marked the second annual National Latino AIDS Awareness Day (NLAAD), calling for a renewed emphasis on prevention and treatment for the disease.

     "Communities of color are disproportionately impacted by the ravages of HIV and today we are reminded of the need for renewed emphasis on education, preventing new infections, and treating those who live with the disease," said HRC President Cheryl Jacques. "In addition to facing homophobia, many GLBT Latinos face racism, the lack of culturally competent care, and other barriers to health care access. Thankfully local health groups, advocacy groups, and national groups, such as the Latino Commission on AIDS, the Hispanic Federation, and the National Minority AIDS Council (NMAC) have been fighting to increase awareness about HIV/AIDS in Latino communities."


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HRC SCORECARD RATES CONGRESS ON GLBT ISSUES
HRC President Cheryl Jacques calls scorecard ‘a crucial tool for fair-minded voters.’


WASHINGTON — The Human Rights Campaign today released its annual Congressional Scorecard rating U.S. representatives and senators on gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender issues in the 108th Congress. The scorecard will be mailed to nearly 225,000 members of HRC throughout the nation prior to the election on Nov. 2, 2004.

“Learning where members of Congress stand on equality issues is a crucial tool for fair-minded voters,” said HRC President Cheryl Jacques. “We hope that all Americans who support equality will learn where candidates stand and vote for fairness on November 2.”