WHAT:
The International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission (IGLHRC), Human Rights Watch (HRW), National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, Amnesty International OUTfront, Al-Fatiha and SoulforceNYC invite all interested advocates to participate in Thinking Globally, Acting Locally: Human Rights, Iran, and LGBT Advocacy, a community dialogue about the persecution faced by LGBT people in Iran and how activists in the West can responsibly engage in supporting our colleagues in Iran as well as Iranian lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people in New York and elsewhere.
WHO:
* Scott Long, Director of LGBT Rights Program, Human Rights Watch * Paula Ettelbrick, Executive Director of IGLHRC * Parvez Sharma, Director of the new documentary film “In the Name of Allah” * Hadi Ghaemi, Iran Researcher, Human Rights Watch * Kouross Esmaeli, Iranian filmmaker * Ayaz Ahmed, Al-Fatiha * Moderated by Hossein Alizadeh, IGLHRC
WHY:
Numerous reports and stories of persecution faced by gay men and lesbians in Iran have been circulating. In particular, the executions of two young Iranian men last year on July 19 have been reported as gay-related deaths, prompting some activists to call for demonstrations in local communities to draw attention to these issues on the year anniversary of their hangings. This call raises important questions for human rights and LGBT advocates concerned about human rights violations globally, but unsure of how best to engage and respond.
* How do we situate campaigns for LGBT rights in the context of other human rights issues such as the death penalty and women’s rights? * How do we respond in situations where facts are contested and documentation difficult? * What are the responsibilities--and dangers--for Western campaigners wanting to think globally and act locally? * How do we avoid reinforcing stereotypes and playing into hostilities prompted by our own government?
These are not abstract questions or ones relevant only to activists for sexual rights. While Iran will be emphasized in this discussion, the questions are relevant for all human rights advocates as we grapple with how global calls for justice can be made meaningful in the face of persecution and global hostilities.
While IGLHRC had initially offered to coordinate a public vigil to protest the use of the death penalty as a punishment for sexually- based crimes in Iran and elsewhere, conversations with colleagues have made clear that in New York City, dialogue, not demonstrations, would be the most productive way to build longer term strategies and understandings of how best to respond to human rights violations around the world.
WHEN:
Wednesday, July 19, 2006 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
WHERE:
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center 208 West 13th Street between 7th & 8th Avenues New York, New York
Scott Long Director Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Rights Program Human Rights Watch 350 Fifth Avenue, 34th Floor New York, NY USA 10118 Tel. +01 (212) 216-1297 Fax +01 (212) 216-1876 E-mail: longs at hrw.org