An MSW in Cambodia

Gay y lesbianas protestan en Chile contra la discriminación en el Día de los Enamorados, originally uploaded by MUmS – Movimiento Unificado de Minorías Sexuales.

I didn’t grow up in the right generation in the United States: apathy does not suit me well. Not saying that all in my generation are apathetic, I mean, there are my friends. But, as general sweeping generalizations go, this one is not far enough off the mark. That and the fact that I think I would have been a good hippie.

I like protests. I especially like well planned ones. Original ones. Ones that make a statement. Ones that are non-violent. Ones that are provocative. The kiss-a-thon (in Spanish Besaton) last year in Chile is among my favorites.

What you are seeing in the picture is the Moneda, the presidential palace of Chile. It is located at the heart of downtown Santiago. The people in front are protesting for equal rights for all LGBT individuals, a law that grants these rights, and a law with a clause that punishes hate crimes as such.

I love the poetry involved in a kiss being a form of protest.

The second national Besaton will be held June 30th, 2007 at 4:00pm in front of la Moneda. If you are in Chile, sign up and attend.

2007familyday150x200, originally uploaded by coming2cambodia.

Once again, I am posting a non-Cambodian, non-human-trafficking post; but it is none the less important. Today is Blogging for LGBT Families day (as you can see by the lovely button) and I thought it would be nice to help add to the list of countries included. This post, written from Cambodia, by an American, is about a Chilean lesbian parent and the organization founded because of her struggle.

When I lived in Chile in 2000 and knew the people over at the gay rights movement (MUMS.cl), it was mostly male– per norm, lesbians were invisible in a still grassroots and small gay right movement. However, that has now changed and there are several organizations specifically for women. Today I would like to introduce you to one: Las Otras Familias (The Other Families).

Karen Atala, a Chilean judge with three children, had her children taken away from her by the courts in 2004 when she moved in with her partner. The courts granted custody to the father, he ex-husband. Ms. Atala, being a lawyer and judge herself, appealed all the way to the Supreme Court of Chile which ruled on the basis that, “[the children] would suffer psychological harm living with Ms. Atala and her partner…[and that] they would become confused about gender roles and suffer from discrimination and isolation.” The court then nullified all her rights as a mother and gave permanent and total custody to the girl’s father forever. She is still fighting, now on an international front, to have her children returned to her.

This court decision does more that just throw into termoil the lives of her daughters and herself; the court has set a precedent in Chile that would strike fear into the heart of any LGBT parent. Las Otras Familias, which emerged from this, is an organization that combats discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation for women in all areas: legal right, work rights, maternity rights, etc. It is amazing the strength and community that has come together, spoken out, and continues to support one another in the face of injustice.

It is amazing to think of all the difficulties faced in developed and progressive nations when it comes to parentage and sexual orientation– it is even more devastating in the second world and third world. If you haven’t seen it, go check out Dangerous Living, a documentary that looks at coming out in the developing world.