Activists for LGBTIQ+ rights from the US and Mexico received the Igualdad awards

The activists Gloria Careaga from Mexico, and Jessica Stern from the United States, received in the Legislature of the city of Buenos Aires the international awards of the Equality Foundation, in recognition of their fight for the rights of LGBTIQ+ people.

“I receive this recognition on behalf of all the people we have lost throughout the struggle and who left a mark for those of us who now have the responsibility to move forward,” Careaga said during the ceremony, which took place this afternoon in the Dorado room of the Buenos Aires Parliament

After receiving the award, the activist spoke with Télam about the challenges thatthat lies ahead, and considered that the “most urgent” thing is to “demand governments that there be no more leyes that limit the rights of the LGBTIQ+ community, much less that criminalize it and involve violence against it”.

“It is not possible that in this world we still have countries that punish the homosexual condition with the death penalty”he added.

And he expressed that “the activists have given a show of courage by showing their faces and taking to the streets to demand their rights, which was reflected in the legal reforms that we have achieved. However, not in all countries these reforms became in government actions. We are demanding that governments commit to protecting and guaranteeing the rights of LGBT people in all fields, such as education and health, housing and social security.”

Careaga is a lesbian, feminist, human rights defender and professor at the Faculty of Psychology of the National Autonomous University of Mexico.

From his extensive resume it stands out that he was co-founder of El Closet de Sor Juanaone of the first lesbian groups in her country, and occupied various positions in international organizations related to LGBTIQ+ rights.

This year he received the award Felipe de Souza in New Yorkin recognition for his activism, for being pioneer and lead actions at the international level for the promotion of diversity.

Stern, for his part, said upon receiving the award: “We work because we are survivors of violence and discrimination, because we need justice.”

And he expressed that it was an honor to be awarded in Argentina, “where the movements achieved important successes, but the struggle continues.”

The activist also commented that in today’s activity she spoke “for the first time in Spanish in public.”

Stern is currently a US government official.since it is Special Envoy of that country for promotion of the human rights of LGBTIQ+ peopleand is the first female activist to assume this position.

Before, headed OutRight Action International for ten yearsa global ally of LGBTQI+ human rights organizations.

“I was an activist for most of my life. I believe that in most governments there is a lack of knowledge about LGBTIQ+ rights, one of my priorities is to work with NGOs, with the people most affected by discrimination, violence, homophobia, with those who know what is a priority”.

And I add: “I work for three reasons: equality, pride and love.”

The Equality Awards

The Fundación Igualdad international awards were inaugurated this year in Madrid, Spain, and were presented to film director Pedro Almodóvar and activist Jordi Petit.

In Buenos Aires, they were delivered by the legislator of the Front of All Victoria Montenegro, who is a granddaughter recovered by the Grandmothers of Plaza de Mayo and chairs the Human Rights Commission of the Buenos Aires Parliament.

“We reaffirm our commitment to build more equality and, among all of us, we recognize those who paved the way for a more inclusive society,” said Montenegro during the ceremony.

And he added that “the struggles that lie ahead are very important.”

Later, Pedro Paradiso Sottile, president of the Equality Foundation, He pointed out: “In difficult times, when fundamentalisms and hate speech are advancing, it is important to recognize those who work tirelessly for equality, memory, truth and justice for the LGBTIQ+ community.”