Everyday, in each part of the world, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex people (LGBTI) suffer from severe episodes of violence and discrimination, which are clearly against their human rights. One of the last examples is represented by the case, reported by international press and media in the previous weeks, of young “emo” killed in Iraq due to their alleged homosexuality. Militias that committed murders (at least 58 young victims during the last weeks, but the number is to increase), are thought to have acted following a “list” with names of people accused of having eccentric attitude, excessively feminine, and for that reason being homosexual.
At the beginning of this year, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon has called on the international community to put an end to discriminatory actions against LGBTI communities. His statements was particularly directed to the African Countries that more and more frequently promote discriminatory and xenophobic legislation towards LGBTI people, in that way putting at risk their integrity and personal security. Although advocacy campaigns and programs aimed at ending discrimination and human rights violations are worldwide diffused, the way to a full recognition and international protection of LGBTI communities is still too long.
Considering the experience gained over time by NPWJ, working in the field of democracy in Middle East and North Africa, and bearing also in mind the profound changes followed to the outbreak of Arab Spring, it seemed the right occasion to analyse the way in which LGBTI people's rights have been influenced by the changes actually going on in almost all the countries involved in the events of the Arab Spring. The issue of LGBTI rights within the Arab Countries is particularly pressing and delicate, not so frequently considered by media, due both to political reasons and socio-cultural taboos, and this is way there's only few and informal documentation available. Starting from preliminary information founded and received, but also considering the difficulties faced in the research of direct and reliable sources regarding this issue, NPWJ has decided to work on this topic, giving direct voice to people truly interested in the possible link between the “Yasmine Revolution” (as Arab Spring is frequently called) and LGBTI rights.
In this framework, No Peace Without Justice, in cooperation with the radical association Certi Diritti e and the Nonviolent Radical Party, Transnational and Transparty (NRPTT) is launching a writing contest on LGBTI rights in the MENA Region and the Arab Spring: “The people demand the end of discrimination”.
The contest is open to MENA Region individual activists and associations with an interest in LGBTI rights.
Participants are required to write an essay, paper or article addressing whether and how the Arab Spring/Jasmine Revolution has affected LGBTI Rights and/or how LGBTI rights activists have contributed to the democracy movement. In particular, they should be able to underscore whether the Arab Spring has led to any developments, be they positive or negative, in the field of LGBTI rights in their countries.
The selection and shortlist of the best contributions will be done by an international jury of eminent personalities in human rights field.
Short-listed essays will be published even under pseudonym if necessary and promoted by No Peace Without Justice. The top three submissions will each receive a monetery prize of 700 USD each.
DEADLINES
Participants need to register by Monday 30 April 2012 by mail to lgbti@npwj.org, with a brief description (between 100 and 300 words) of the essay, name (individual or organization), age, email, city and country. Only participants registered by 30 April 2012 will be able to take part in the writing contest.
Essays will be between 2000 and 3500 words, and are due on 30 June 2012.
Participants’ personal information will be kept in the strictest confidence and essays can be published under a pseudonym if preferred. However, No Peace Without Justice will need the real names and addresses of participants in order to transfer funds and comply with copyright requirements.
Download the flyer in English, French, Arabic
CONTACT INFORMATION:
For inquiries: lgbti@npwj.org
For submissions: lgbti@npwj.org
Website: http://www.npwj.org
This blog is no longer updated. Please instead visit Writers For Diversity for new opportunities for women/ LGBT writers and writers of color. Thank you.
