Argentina: The societal attitude towards homosexuality and bisexuals; the existence of gay culture, including gay-oriented businesses, organizations, and public activities (2000 - March 2003)

In a 3 September 2002 interview with the publication Zona Reservada, Cesar Cigliutti, the president of the Argentine Homosexual Community (Comunidad Homosexual Argentina, CHA) noted that progress in changing societal attitudes regarding discrimination against the homosexual community in Argentina has been "very significant" (muy significativos). Cigliutti mentioned that, although police repression and machismo are "impregnated" (impregna) within Argentine culture, the gay, lesbian, transvestite, transsexual and bisexual (gay, lesbico, travesti, transexual y bisexual, GLTTB) movement is now a "recognized prescence" (presencia reconocida) whose right to speak is defended by various communication media (Zona Reservada 3 Sept. 2002). Nevertheless, Cigliutti explained that the GLTTB community faces many different realities; for example, being gay in Buenos Aires is different from being gay in other provinces such as Mendoza, where discrimination is greater, or being a transvestite anywhere in Argentina will automatically result in police repression (ibid.).

According to a June 2001 AP report, Amnesty International documented the story of Vanessa Lorena Ledesma, a transgendered woman from Cordoba "who died in jail five days after being arrested in a bar" (22 June 2001). AP noted that Ledesma was "severely beaten" and tortured by the police as evidenced by the numerous cuts and bruises all over her body (22 June 2001).

A number of Websites provide listings of organizations and resources available to the GLTTB community in Argentina; for example, the Hartas Website which lists a number of gay-oriented bars and restaurants.

With regard to public activities, Gay Pride week has been celebrated in Argentina since 1992 (ILGA 23 June 2000), and, according to the CHA, the Gay Pride parade attracted more than 4,500 people in 2001, an increase from the 2,000 spectators that have attended in the previous three years (Zona Reservada 3 Sept. 2002). An 8 January 2003 article in Terra reported the opening of Argentina's first gay beach. Located near the Faro zone of Buenos Aires, Calu Beach will offer a number of amenities catering to the gay community, including a space reserved for sexual relations (Terra 8 Jan. 2003). Although the beach will be open to the general public, the owners stated that minors under the age of 18 are prohibited from entry (ibid.). The Palermo neighbourhood and Santa Fe avenue, in Buenos Aires, are noted to be areas where gay culture thrives, boasting discotheques, pubs and stores (Zona Reservada 3 Sept. 2002).

For additional information, please see ARG33227.E of 7 December 1999 about the situation of homosexuals, particularly lesbians, and the mistreatment of lesbians by police officers.

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

References

Associated Press (AP) Worldstream. 22 June 2001. Celeste Tarricone. "Amnesty International Outlines Abuses of Gays in New Report." (NEXIS)

International Lesbian and Gay Association (ILGA). 23 June 2000. "World Legal Survey: Argentina." [Accessed 20 Mar. 2003]

Terra. 8 January 2003. "Inauguran en Mardel la primera playa gay argentina." [Accessed 19 Mar. 2003]

Zona Reservada [Madrid]. 3 September 2002. Walter Coleman. "Entrevista a Cesar Cigliutti: La homosexualidad en Argentina." [Accessed 19 Mar. 2003]

Additional Sources Consulted

IRB databases

NEXIS

World News Connection (WNC)

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