Argentina: Treatment of bisexual men, particularly in Buenos Aires and Mendoza; whether fathering a child would affect the treatment or situation of such individuals; expressions used to describe a man who engages in both heterosexual and homosexual relations (1999 - March 2001)
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 23 March 2001 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | ARG36713.E |
| Reference | 2 |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Argentina: Treatment of bisexual men, particularly in Buenos Aires and Mendoza; whether fathering a child would affect the treatment or situation of such individuals; expressions used to describe a man who engages in both heterosexual and homosexual relations (1999 - March 2001), 23 March 2001, ARG36713.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3df4be0a20.html [accessed 25 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
Very little information pertaining specifically to the treatment of bisexual men could be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate. In a 22 March 2001 interview, the president of the League for the Defence of Sexual Minorities ( Liga de Defensa de las Minorías Sexuales), a non-governmental organization based in Buenos Aires, stated that very little research has been done concerning bisexual men in Argentina, and little is known about their situation. However, the president added that the treatment of sexual minorities in general tends to be better in the City of Buenos Aires than elsewhere in the country (ibid.). The president further stated that he did not believe the fact that a bisexual man had fathered children would significantly affect his situation or treatment, except perhaps in the context of parental custody decisions (ibid.).
No mention of the treatment of bisexual men in the Province of Mendoza could be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate.
Several reports published between 1999 and 2000 refer to the treatment of sexual minority populations in Argentina; examples follow.
According to the International Lesbian and Gay Association (ILGA), a non-governmental organization, in August 1996 the
Statutory Convention of Buenos Aires unanimously approved a measure forbidding discrimination on the basis of gender, age, race, religion, political ideology or sexual orientation, making Buenos Aires the firs Spanish-speaking city in Latin America to do so (2000).
In May 1999, Argentina reportedly removed restrictions preventing homosexual and bisexual individuals from donating blood (Página/12 22 May 1999). The Ministry of Health lifted the ban in response to a complaint made by the Argentinean Society for the Integration of Gays and Lesbians (Sociedad de Integración Gay-Lésbica Argentina, SIGLA) (ibid.).
According to the 1999 annual report of the Buenos Aires-based Argentinean Homosexual Community (Comunidad Homosexual Argentina, CHA), transvestites, homosexual men, lesbians and bisexual individuals are "frequently" subjected to extortion by police officers who demand money under threat of arrest pending the outcome of a background check (2000). This information could not be corroborated by other sources consulted by the Research Directorate.
In a 29 June 2000 report by the Buenos Aires newspaper Clarín, CHA President César Cigliutti was cited as saying that there has been an improvement in the level of acceptance of sexual minorities in Argentina, with homophobic statements for example no longer deemed to be socially acceptable among the general population. However, Cigliutti added that there is a continuing need for improvement in police attitudes and in the area of legislative reform (ibid.).
According to the president of the League for the Defence of Sexual Minorities, there are few words in Argentina used to describe a bisexual man. However, such an individual may be referred to as " binorma" or as someone who "plays for both sides" (patea para los dos arcos) (22 Mar. 2001). In an on-line dictionary of Argentinean slang published by Mundo Yerba, "binorma" is said to be an adjective denoting a bisexual individual (1997).
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
Clarín [Buenos Aires]. 29 June 2000. "En Buenos Aires también se festejó el Día del Orgullo Gay."
Comunidad Homosexual Argentina (CHA). 2000. Informe Annual 1999.
International Lesbian and Gay Association (ILGA). 2000. "World Legal Survey: Argentina."
Liga de Defensa de las Minorías Sexuales, Buenos Aires. 22 March 2001. Telephone interview with president.
Mundo Yerba. 1997. Diccionario Chabón-Castellano.
Página/12 [Buenos Aires]. 22 May 1999. Mariana Carbajal. "Ya no hay discriminación para la sangre: se levantó una prohibición."
Additional Sources Consulted
Grupo Nexo.
IRB databases.
Unsuccessful attempts to contact the Comunidad Homosexual Argentina; the Asociación contra la Discriminación Homosexual; the Sociedad de Integración Gay-Lésbica Argentina; and the Organización Identidad Gay.
Internet sites including:
Amnesty International.
Bisexual Resource Center.
Canal 9 Televida [Mendoza]. Sintesis de noticias. Aug. 2000-Mar. 2001.
La Capital [Rosario]. 2000-2001.
Clarín [Buenos Aires]. 1997-2001.
Cuyo Noticias [Mendoza]. Aug. 2000-Mar. 2001.
Diario Los Andes [Mendoza]. Feb.-May; Sept. 2000-Mar. 2001.
Gay.Com.
International Lesbian and Gay Association (ILGA)
La Nación [Buenos Aires]. 1997-2001.
PlanetOut.
Sociedad de Integración Gay Lésbica Argentina (SIGLA)
Wockner News. 1997-2001.
